What Is Refrigeration Load? Cooling Load, Heating Load -->

What Is Refrigeration Load? Cooling Load, Heating Load

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Cooling load

Cooling load is defined as the average rate at which the heat is removing from the cold space by refrigeration equipment. Similar to the unit of refrigeration it is also expressed in Ton of refrigeration (TR).  The building design, internal equipment, occupants, and outdoor weather conditions may affect the cooling load. Following are the common sources of heat that contribute to the cooling load of refrigeration equipment.

  • Heat emitted by the people occupied in refrigerated space/ objects whose temperature is to be lowered.
  • Heat generating equipment’s in refrigerated space Eg: lamps, motors, etc.
  • Solar radiation entered the cold space through the transparent material.
  • Warm air/ Heat entered the refrigerated space through open doors and windows or any cracks in wall/ poor insulated wall.

The importance of each source may vary according to the application so that the total cooling load will vary considerably with the different application.

Heating load

This is applicable when space is needed to keep warm. Heating load is defined as the average rate of heat to be supplied to the air-conditioned space to keep it warm.


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