One may think that synagogues have similar Air-Conditioning needs to those of a public institution, however, synagogues have unique characteristics that affect the air conditioning systems, such as
1. The energy consumption of the air conditioning system varies over a very wide range, sometimes many people are attending while other times the activity is moderate, and sometimes some activities or gatherings create a lot of heat, such as dancing on Simchat Torah. Running the AC is a large component in the maintenance and expenses of a synagogue.
2.Many synagogues have smaller rooms off the main room as well as a women’s section that all have to be cooled. Air conditioning for public buildings requires the supply of fresh air, uniform distribution of cold air, lowering the humidity while ensuring the noise levels are low and there are no uncomfortable gusts of wind.
3.Doors that open frequently and affect air movement.
The air conditioning system should be quiet, especially because prayers and classes in the synagogue are usually delivered, without a sound amplification system.
Financing the construction of synagogues includes membership, donations, public funds, etc. Leading to a lack of proper planning when it comes to the AC while postponing the installation to a later stage where the synagogue is already built and functioning. All this results in a poor “patchwork” system. Small air conditioners are scattered throughout the synagogue halls, needing to utilize the spaces left between memorial plaques and bookshelves, in short, it is neither esthetic nor practical. The high holidays are especially prone to calamity, with hot weather and especially prolonged prayers. Hours during which the AC is running constantly and is the subject of many complaints. Some suffer from the heat and at the same time some are shivering, the division of the complaints is a testimony to the Jewish nation but also points to a real problem.
In this article, I will suggest possible solutions.
Feelings of discomfort from air conditioning are due to a combination of several factors:
one being- personal temperament, the temperature at which one feels comfortable differs from one man to another.
Another factor is the unevenness in the distribution of cold air within the space.
A third-factor being humidity. When the humidity is too high, it is hard to feel comfortable even with the AC working.
Another significant factor is the lack of fresh air. The air conditioners found in most synagogues do not deal with this issue, with a lack of fresh air from outside, the AC “recycles” the air around it causing the air to be stale and heavy.
Air conditioning for public buildings requires the supply of fresh air, uniform distribution of cold air, lowering the humidity, and all this without creating gusts of wind and low levels of noise.
The first thing that can be done to improve your AC is to check the AC regularly, preferably with the help of a professional. For central air conditioners, there are air ducts designed to draw in fresh air from outside, the air intake shutters should be checked and opened. In the case of small air conditioner units, sometimes ventilation must be added, for example, windows need to be opened, and it may also be necessary to add air blowers.
If your synagogue is located in a humid city and has old single units installed, replacing them with new central Air-conditioners will likely be cost-effective in the long-run.
Newer AC units lower the humidity more effectively, operating with improved technologies that consume 30% to 50% less electricity than older air conditioners.
It is always better to prepare for the hot summers in the winter, figuring out the needs of your synagogue and planning the best way to achieve them.