What is air conditioning?
In 1908, the ‘father of air conditioning’, G. B. Wilson defined air conditioning as being able to:
- Maintaining suitable humidity in all parts of a building.
- During certain seasons, freeing the air from excessive humidity.
- Being able to provide a constant and adequate supply of ventilation.
- Removing from the air, any micro-organisms, soot, dust, and other ‘foreign bodies’.
- During warmer seasons, efficiently keep the indoor air cool.
- Have the potential to at least partially warm rooms in the winter.
- Air conditioning should not be too expensive to buy or maintain.
How does air conditioning work?
Air conditioners work by moving the heat from inside your office or workplace, outside. It then blows cool air back into the building. The way the machine cools the air is by blowing it over a set of cool pipes called an evaporator coil. It works on the same basis as a fridge or when water evaporates from the skin.
The evaporate coil is filled with coolant or refrigerant, which changes from a liquid to gas as it absorbs heat from the air. This is then pumped through another coil to the outside of the building, where it cools and returns to its liquid form. This outside coil has aptly named the condenser as a result.
There is a pump, called the compressor, which moves the coolant between the two coils, as well as changes the pressure of the coolant to ensure it all evaporates and condenses in the appropriate coil.
The motor that runs the compressor uses all the energy needed to complete this and the system will usually give out three times the cooling energy that the compressor uses. This is due to changing the state of the coolant from liquid to gas, allowing much more energy to be moved than the compressor uses.
What are air conditioning filters?
Most air conditioning systems have a filter above the evaporator coil that removes particles to keep the air conditioning system clean and remove particles from the air.
As it does its job, the filter will become loaded with more random particles, reducing airflow. If filters are left unchanged, the airflow will decrease, and they become a new source of air pollution.
The best way to deal with decreased airflow is to regularly change your air conditioner’s filters to ensure it remains efficient.
How to further increase your air con’s energy efficiency?
One of the biggest things you can do to maximize the efficiency of your air conditioning is to seal any leaking ducts, along with maintaining clean filters and cleaning the coils.
Another way to maximize the efficiency of your air conditioning is to make sure nothing is blocking the airflow of your air conditioner. By buying an air conditioner matched for your climate (not that much of an issue here in the UK), you can ensure that you’re not using unnecessary energy powering it.
Make life easier for your air conditioning unit
By reducing the amount of work your air conditioner has to undertake, it can provide you with better results.
By increasing the level of your building’s insulation or reducing other air drafts, you can reduce the energy spent on heating and cooling.
The use of high-efficiency products if you have to renovate or rebuild parts of your building will also help your air conditioning.
On the inside of your building, you can improve the efficiency of your air conditioning through simple tasks such as turning off electrical appliances when you’re not using them.
Make use of the extraction fans in your kitchen and bathroom to remove excess humidity in those rooms, and energy-efficient appliances will all contribute to the efficiency of your home.
Benefits of Air Conditioning:
We all love living in comfort, don’t we? Well did you know that there are more benefits of air conditioning than just comfort? Air conditioning can also provide us with safety and better quality of life in our own homes.
1. Reduced Possibility Of Asthma Attacks
Did you know that air conditioning in your home can help reduce the possibility of suffering an asthma attack? According to Mayo Clinic, running an A/C not only reduces humidity in your home but can also lower the amount of pollen, mold, mildew, and other airborne outdoor allergens that can potentially lead to asthma symptoms. Air conditioners can also lower your exposure to indoor allergens, like dust mites.
Another important component of avoiding asthma triggers is routinely changing the air filter in heaters and air conditioners, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Other home remedies recommended by Mayo Clinic include replacing carpet with wood or linoleum, frequently cleaning bathrooms and other humid areas of the home that are more likely to collect mold spores, avoiding pets to reduce your contact with pet dander, and wearing a mask while you dust.
2. A More Secure Home
Typically when we air condition our homes we keep our windows and doors closed. This leads to added security as it is much harder for someone to break into your home with your doors and windows closed and locked than having them open to cool your home.
3. Cool Place To Exercise
Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight were also named by Mayo Clinic as important components of staving off asthma attacks. Air conditioning can help by providing a cool and comfortable environment for indoor exercise. If your home is at a comfortable temperature, you are more likely to hit the treadmill or free weights after work instead of vegging out. After all, no one wants to work out in a hot house.
4. fewer Insects And Parasites
Did you know that you can keep fleas off your dog with air conditioning? Air conditioning filters are more effective in keeping bugs out than an open window. This not only protects you (and your pets!) but it keeps your house cleaner.
5. Better Sleep
We actually sleep better in colder conditions and air conditioning is the perfect answer to that! We’ve learned previously that there are many tips to sleep better, one of which is keeping your bedroom cool.
6. Prevents Electronics From Overheating
While we know when our bodies are getting too hot, electronics can’t always tell us when they are. Heat can do serious damage to electronics such as shortening their lifespan to losing data.
7. Improves Work Performance
Have you ever had one of those days when everything seems to drag on because it’s hot and uncomfortable? Air conditioning can fix that! Air conditioning can actually improve employee comfort keeping their minds clear and ready to tackle their tasks for the day.
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8. Reduces The Risk Of Dehydration
Lower temperatures mean less sweating. A lot of people don’t realize that when we sweat we are actually losing a large percentage of our water intake. It is important to keep hydrated when out in extreme conditions, but this can all be avoided by enjoying the indoors with some air conditioning.
9. Reduces The Risk Of Heat Stroke
Hundreds of people have died from heatstroke. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that, “air conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death.”
10. Less Noise
Typically doors and windows are closed off to air-conditioned rooms. This means less noise enters the room keeping these places cool and quiet.
Are you looking to replace your existing HVAC system? Or maybe you’re looking to add one altogether? Contact us today!