Summary

The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems are a blend of loosely coupled systems to provide maximum energy efficiency and redundancy.

Design Considerations

AAmpere (amp), SI unit of electrical current basic heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is described below. In this case the design goal is a year-round live-aboard in north-eastern North America. For completeness in understanding the trade-offs made, the engine cooling system, hot water and refrigeration and watermaker are also shown. Some of the design considerations are:

   * One single fuel type on board
   * Minimize ACAlternating current loads
   * Minimize sound transmission
   * Pre-heat water for the water maker
   * Minimize energy usage
   * Maximize efficiency
   * Minimize dependencies
   * Provide redundancy

The requirement for a single fuel type effectively eliminated propane heating in favour of diesel. Diesel is anyway much safer. It is also more efficient, providing around 140,000 BTUBritish Thermal Unit (British Thermal Units) per gallon, compared to 91,000 for propane.