air con

[amyr]

ok have been asked by the head to find some prices for air conditioning units to put to the pta to see if they would fundraise/buy us some for the ict suite. we can't have fixed ceiling units, so i wondered if anyone knew of what sort to go for for the ict suite? room of 30 computers, only 2 opening windows at opposite end to door.

 

the area of the room is 42 metres squared, and the volume of the room is 102metres cubed (yes i did just measure it!)

 

anyone got any ideas?

[Andrew_C]

Calculating how much cooling power is needed is actually quite complex. You need to allow for, heat from PCs, heat from users, heat gain from sun (insolation), normal heat loss through ceiling etc.

 

You can get wall mounted cassette type units to use instead of the ceiling type, but both need external compressors.

 

Best bet is a call to a local company to get a ball-park price. Don't forget that they use a LOT of electric power!

[webman]

There are a couple of 'calculators' available to give you a rough idea of what you need.

 

http://www.climate-facilities.co.uk/air_calculator.asp

 

http://www.climate-aircon.co.uk/calculator.asp

 

http://www.tombling.com/cooling/heat-load-calculator.asp

[amyr]

I have since discovered that one of our governors works/runs an air conditioning company and he's going to try to get me a price for it :0)

 

thanks for your help so far...and yes it is very complicated! I got in a complete muddle so shouted for help to the governors (I know 2 of them and they're nice guys who are very helpful)

[wesleyw]

You'll need another three quotes though otherwise the auditors will be upset

 

 

Wes

[amyr]

i know but once i know what i need, then i can get 3 more quotes....

[Lee_K_81]

You'll need another three quotes though otherwise the auditors will be upset

 

 

Wes

 

I believe you only need 3 quotes total. Also i'm pretty certain that only applies if the order will exceed £10k, although individual schools, LA's may have their own threshold for that.

[amyr]

our school policy seems to be that if we're getting it through a governor we need to show that we are getting the best price without the governor being out of pocket either - we always get at least 3 quotes (more if its for more expensive kit like iwbs)

[CheeseDog]

Get some inverter units more expensive but they are much more efficient and kinder on the electric bill.

 

Don't forget to take into account maintenance contracts as well.

[amyr]

had a quote back from him - looks like we're looking at about £1500 - £2000 for it...will give it to the head to look at and she can decide if its to be put to the pta or not...

[john]

I agree with the Inverter ones, I have just had one fitted (Hitachi make) and its very good and kinder on the electric.

[webman]

looks like we're looking at about £1500 - £2000 for it

 

What a con! 8O

 

:oops:

[john]

Your just jellious your cupboard aint got Air Con Craig (says he whos server cupboard is enjoying multiple ACs ) But whos office is still AC-less

[webman]

Yes, you're right

[Quackers]

Thats a real good price for that size room. Our server room aircon finally gave up in december, after 8 years of service, and we got charged £1500 for a new aircon unit in there.

[amyr]

i think it will be portable units as my ict suite is due to move to the new building (whenever that gets underway) which means that the room i'm in at the moment will become a classroom, so then the air con will be moved to another part of the school such as the admin office as they're office is like sitting in a conservatory in the summer!

[Butuz]

If you are moving ICT suites you would be better off waiting till you move and then getting proper air con installed.

 

The portable units can be quite powerful nowadays - bu they simply are not designed for heavy use i.e being left on 24 hours a day 7 days a week - they are unreliable compared to a fully fitted system - not to mention noisier!

 

Andrew

[amyr]

hmm i won't be allowed to keep them on 24/7 unfortunately...its mainly to take the main heat out of the suite as it can get to 30 degrees in here on a good day in the summer! i closed the suite for 2 weeks last year as it was sooo hot. even i ended up moving to another part of the school to work in as i couldn't work in the suite without it being like a sauna.

[Butuz]

Believe me I know exactly what you mean. I keep a fridge full of lollys in the summer!

 

But the wall mounted air con units are temperature controlled so they automatically nock of when the temperature is low and kick in when the temperature goes high.

 

Andrew

[amyr]

think i might keep a tray of ice in the freezer this year and bring in the sun cream as i managed to work outside for most of the summer under the shade of a beer umbrella at a picnic table in the patio area....was a good way to work on my tan and will probably end up doing the same again this year if i'm not successful in my bid for air conditioning!