What are frigories, and how many does my system need?
Everything you need to know about air conditioning frigories to ensure a cool, efficient home without overspending.
When summer arrives, many of us wonder how best to keep our homes cool without spending more than necessary. Air conditioning provides an excellent solution. However, it's important to understand the cooling capacity of each appliance, measured in frigories. Let us tell you all about this energy unit, so you can make the best decision for your home and your wallet.
What are frigories?
Frigories are the unit of measurement used to determine the cooling capacity of appliances such as air conditioners. Although not officially part of the International System of Units (SI) like metres, kilograms, or seconds, the term is accepted in the Technical System and widely used for any cooling system.
Although the Royal Spanish Academy defines it as an energy unit, the frigorie is commonly used as a power unit, understood as the energy required to cool one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius in one hour. Therefore, when we refer to an air conditioning unit with a capacity of 3,000 frigories, it means that it can cool 3,000 kilograms of water in one hour, or alternatively cool a room of a given size.
How is the required amount of frigories determined?
Calculating the amount of frigories needed to cool a room requires several factors to be taken into account. These include, most notably:
The size of the room
Orientation
The thermal insulation of the property
The number of windows and their position
Ceiling height
The number of people usually in the room
How many frigories do I need per square metre?
In general, a cooling output of approximately 100 to 150 frigories per square metre is recommended for a well-insulated property in warm climates. However, this figure may be lower in cooler climates, around 50 to 100 frigories per square metre.
It is important to bear in mind that this range is only a general estimate and may vary depending on specific circumstances. For a more accurate calculation, it is advisable to consult a climate control professional or a service technician specialising in air conditioning systems, as they can assess your individual needs and provide a precise recommendation tailored to your situation.
What are 3,000 frigories equivalent to?
If we recall the equivalence mentioned at the beginning, 1 frigorie is roughly equal to 1 kilocalorie. So 3,000 frigories would be equivalent to 3,000 kilocalories. In the context of thermal energy, 1 frigorie is considered equal to approximately 1,163 watt-hours (Wh) or 3,412 BTUs (British Thermal Units). With this equivalence, 3,000 frigories would be roughly 3,486 kilowatt-hours (kWh) or 10,236 BTU.
The maximum room size for an air conditioning unit of 3,000 frigories will depend on several factors. As a general guideline, the following recommendations can be considered:
For a room with good insulation and a favourable orientation (minimal direct sun exposure), a 3,000-frigorie air conditioning unit could be suitable for a space of approximately 25 to 30 square metres.
If the room is exposed to high temperatures or poorly insulated, a 3,000-frigorie unit may not be sufficient to cool the room efficiently. In such cases, it is advisable to opt for an air conditioning unit with a higher capacity.
What if we choose a system with fewer frigories than necessary?
Choosing an air conditioning unit with insufficient frigories to cool a particular space is likely to cause several problems:
Energy inefficiency: An air conditioning unit with fewer frigories than required will struggle to maintain the required temperature. The air conditioning compressor will run constantly in an attempt to cool the area, leading to increased energy consumption and poor performance.
Inability to cool properly: An undersized unit cannot effectively cool a space, especially on hot days or in rooms with high thermal loads, such as those with numerous windows or electronic equipment. The room temperature may therefore remain higher than required, leading to an uncomfortable, inefficient environment.
Inadequate operating cycles: A smaller unit might run in short, frequent cycles, as it quickly reaches its maximum capacity. Frequent cycling can prematurely wear out the compressor and other components due to the unit turning on and off more often than normal.
Excess humidity: Air conditioning also helps to reduce humidity in the room. If the unit is undersized, it may not be able to dehumidify the space adequately, resulting in a feeling of damp and discomfort.
How can the air conditioning unit's performance be improved?
In addition to selecting a unit with the appropriate capacity, there are several steps we can take to improve performance and reduce energy consumption. For example, it's a good idea to keep doors and windows closed while the unit is running, maintain a constant temperature setting, clean air conditioning filters regularly, and avoid placing heat sources near the thermostat.
In summary, frigories are a key unit of measurement when choosing a suitable, efficient air conditioning unit for our room or property. To make sure your unit performs at its best, you need to first calculate the number of frigories required based on a range of factors such as the size and orientation of the room. It's also important to follow recommendations to improve air conditioning unit performance and reduce energy consumption, which leads to less environmental impact and greater financial savings. Now that you have all the information, all that's left is to choose the air conditioning unit with the frigories that best suit your needs for a great summer!