Supply air conduit (7) along which air is sent from outdoors to indoors by the air supply fan (9), exhaust air conduit (8) along which air is sent from indoors to outdoors by the air exhaust fan (10), and heat exchange element (6) provided at a position where supply air conduit (7) and exhaust air conduit (8) intersect, for exchanging heat between indoor air and outdoor air for ventilation are included. In addition, in exhaust air conduit (8), humidity detection unit (14) is provided at a position upstream of heat exchange element (6), and, in supply air conduit (7), temperature detection unit (13) is provided at a position upstream of heat exchange element (6). In addition, controller (11) reduces, when a temperature detected by temperature detection unit (13) and humidity detected by humidity detection unit (14) are predetermined values, speed of an air supply motor and an air exhaust motor so that air flow rates at which moisture neither condenses nor freezes are attained.

An outdoor unit includes a casing having a bottom plate and is configured such that at least a part thereof is made of metal, a compressor provided within the casing to compress a flammable refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger provided within the casing to exchange heat between the refrigerant and outside air, and an electric heater provided on an upper surface of the bottom plate. The power consumption of the electric heater is 250 W or less.

A structure comprises at least one outer wall having an internal wall section and an outer wall section with an air flow passage therebetween. A circulation system circulates air through the flow passage to inhibit moisture accumulation and mold growth. A sensing system determines the presence of moisture in the flow passage and generates a signal in response thereto. A controller receives the signal from the sensing system and controls the circulation system to maintain a predetermined temperature and relative humidity in the flow passage.

A heat exchanger is provided that is operated in a cooling operation mode in which a region to be heat-exchanged is cooled by the heat exchanger or in a drying operation mode in which the heat exchanger is supplied with wind from a blowing fan. The heat exchanger includes a refrigerant pipe, a cooling fin coupled to the refrigerant pipe, and a hydrophilic coating coated on a surface of the refrigerant pipe or the cooling fin. The hydrophilic coating includes a first type transition metal oxide which becomes acidic by reacting with moisture formed on the refrigerant pipe or the cooling fin to have antimicrobial activity when the heat exchanger is operated in the cooling operation mode, and a second type transition metal oxide or a post-transition metal oxide which has antimicrobial activity when the heat exchanger is operated in the drying operation mode.

Systems and methods for controlling temperature and humidity within a space in a building. Outdoor air and return air from the space are passed through particular equipment in a particular order. Equipment includes a secondary direct-expansion refrigeration circuit, a recovery wheel, a primary cooling coil, secondary circuit evaporator and condenser coils, and a dehumidification wheel. Various embodiments include multiple zones, chilled beams, and a dedicated outdoor air supply (DOAS) subsystem delivering dehumidified air to active chilled beams. In various embodiments, supply air passes first through the recovery wheel, then through the primary cooling coil, then through the dehumidification wheel, and then to the space. Further, in some embodiments, exhaust air passes through the dehumidification wheel and then through the recovery wheel. Pump modules may supply chilled beams and control their temperature to avoid condensation. A chiller may supply cooling water to both the primary cooling coil and the pump modules.

An air conditioner includes a cabinet including an inlet port and a frame including an outlet port and coupled to the cabinet. A heat exchanger is disposed between the cabinet and the frame to exchange heat with air introduced into the inlet port and discharged to the outlet port. A blocking member is configured to connect the frame and the heat exchanger to prevent air heat-exchanged with the heat exchanger from leaking into the cabinet. This structure inhibits dew from being generated on the cabinet.

Controlled internal atmosphere systems and methods are disclosed, including a system comprising a cell having a top, a bottom, and wall(s) extending between the top and bottom defining an enclosed area inside the cell; the top and wall comprising a first layer having embedded energy-transfer tubing, a sealant layer outside the first layer, an aerated substrate layer outside the sealant layer, and an impermeable layer outside the substrate layer; a heating/cooling unit connectable to the tubing to control the temperature of the first layer and thereby control the temperature of an atmosphere of the enclosed area inside the cell; sensor(s) within the enclosed area; and a computer configured to receive input from the sensor(s) indicative of the condition of the enclosed area atmosphere, to receive input regarding environmental conditions outside of the cell, and to control operation of the heating/cooling unit based on the received input and predicted effects.

An indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus includes: a housing having an air inlet suctioning indoor air, an air outlet blowing out the air suctioned from the air inlet, an accommodation space connected to the air outlet and accommodating an electric component box, a wind up-down direction plate provided to the housing to cover the air outlet and the accommodation space, configured to adjust a direction of air blown out from the air outlet, and including a wind guide surface that guides the air blown out from the air outlet; and a wind shielding portion that obstructs the air blown out from the air outlet, the wind shielding portion being provided at an edge portion of a portion of the wind guide surface, the portion facing the accommodation space, the edge portion being disposed close to a rear side of the housing.

A structure comprises at least one outer wall having an internal wall section and an outer wall section with an air flow passage therebetween. A circulation system circulates air through the flow passage to inhibit moisture accumulation and mold growth. A sensing system determines the presence of moisture in the flow passage and generates a signal in response thereto. A controller receives the signal from the sensing system and controls the circulation system to maintain a predetermined temperature and relative humidity in the flow passage.

A terminal unit is provided for cooling a conditioned space. The terminal unit is provided conditioned air and augments cooling with a local heat exchanger. The terminal unit controls the flow of coolant through the heat exchanger. Latent cooling provided by the conditioned air is augmented by allowing moisture accumulation on the heat exchanger. The terminal unit lacks a drainage system so deleterious moisture accumulation (e.g., dripping) is avoided by monitoring moisture accumulation and controlling the terminal unit accordingly. If the moisture accumulation is below a threshold, the terminal unit is permitted to provide latent cooling locally. If the moisture accumulation is above a threshold, the terminal unit prevents further local latent cooling. Some sensor configurations allow for calculation of air flow rates, the latent cooling rate, and moisture accumulation. This information is used to achieve the desired room conditions more rapidly and precisely.