A SURVEY OF ENERGY-CONSUMPTION AND FAILURE PATTERNS OF RESIDENTIAL AIR-CONDITIONING UNITS IN EASTERN SAUDI-ARABIA

A survey of residential-energy consumption in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia for the year 1410 A.H. (August 1989-July 1990) has been c arried out to provide information concerning residential electrical en ergy-consumption patterns and to ascertain causes of failures. Monthly energy consumption of 17 randomly selected villas and 63 apartments w as monitored. A comparison was then made with data provided by the Sau di Consolidated Electrical Company (SCECO). About 75% of the electrica l energy consumption was used for space cooling. Maintenance records o f a major air-conditioning service company were also reviewed. For 199 0, maintenance services were performed on about 300 residential, centr al-type units (3-25 tons) and 400 window-type units (1.5-2.0 tons). A large number of air-conditioning unit problems are due to the local en vironment, which is dust-laden, corrosive and has high ambient tempera tures and relative humidities. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd .