All across the world, air conditioners are now a common sight in buildings like homes, workplaces, and public spaces. They offer relief from the heat and humidity while offering comfort, but they have flaws. The advantages and Use of Air Conditioners will be covered in this article, along with some advice on how to do so safely and effectively.
Air conditioners are typical home devices that control indoor temperatures in hot weather. They have grown in popularity over the past few years due to rising temperatures and global warming. However, incorrect air conditioning use can hurt your health, consume much energy, and increase carbon emissions.
An in-depth explanation of how to operate air conditioners, including their advantages and disadvantages, is the goal of this article.
Benefits of air conditioner:
1. Reduced Possibility Of Asthma Attacks:
Did you know that cooling your home can lessen your chance of having an asthma attack? According to the Mayo Clinic, running an air conditioner helps reduce the quantity of pollen, mould, mildew, and other airborne outdoor allergens that could cause asthma symptoms and lower the humidity in your home. You may be less exposed to indoor allergens like dust mites using an air conditioner.
According to Cleveland Clinic, regularly changing the air filter in heaters and air conditioners is crucial to preventing asthma triggers.
2. A More Secure Home:
Usually, we close our windows and doors when we air condition our homes. As a result, your home will be more secure because it is much more difficult for someone to break in when your doors and windows are locked and closed rather than left open to keep your home cool.
3. Cool Place To Exercise:
The Mayo Clinic identified regular exercise and healthy weight as crucial to preventing asthma attacks. Air conditioning can be helpful by providing a pleasant and cosy environment for indoor training. Your likelihood of going out after work on the treadmill or with free weights increases if your home is lovely. Nobody wants to exercise in a heated environment, after all.
4. Fewer Insects And Parasites:
Did you know that air conditioning can keep fleas off your dog? An open window is less effective at keeping bugs out than air conditioning filters. This keeps your home clean while also protecting you (and your pets!).
5. Better Sleep:
Colder temperatures help us sleep better, and air conditioning is ideal! Keeping your bedroom chilly is one of several suggestions for improving sleep, as we previously know.
Types of Air Conditioners and Their Features
This section will explore different types of air conditioners and their unique characteristics. We’ll cover window-type ACs, split ACs (hi-wall type), tower ACs, cassette ACs, ductable ACs, and VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) air conditioners.
Each type offers distinct advantages and features, allowing you to choose the most suitable option based on your specific needs and preferences.
1. Window Type AC & Split AC – Hi wall Type:
Convenience is what separates the two types of air conditioners.
Although window air conditioners are simpler to install, they take up more room and can be challenging to use if you live in an apartment block or have few windows.
Wall-mounted or split air conditioners can be fixed at about 8 feet on any wall. Still, they require professional installation because the unit is divided into an indoor unit and an outside unit that disperses heat into the atmosphere.
These air conditioners work well in spaces between 70 and 300 square feet but can cool more significant areas.
Although Hi-Wall Type Split ACs are the most popular, indoor units can come in a variety of designs and mounting configurations, which brings about the following categories:
2. Tower AC:
An air conditioner with a tower can cool an entire room. It is a floor-standing unit that may be put in a room’s corner and takes up around 2-3 square feet.
- These units have a cooling capacity of 600 square feet.
- These come in capacities of 2 tonnes, 3 tonnes, and 4 tonnes.
3. Cassette AC:
An interior unit that is visible and installed on a ceiling are cassette air conditioner. The most popular type of cassette air conditioner is a four-way cassette air conditioner, which emits air from all four sides.
Another name for cassette air conditioning is corner air conditioning.
There are 1.5-tonne, 2.0-tonne, 3-tonne, and 4-tonne cassette air conditioners.
4. Ductable Air Conditioner:
Due to their installation in the ceiling and overall concealment, ductless air conditioners are often called concealed, furred-in, or hideaway units.
Different power (Static) fans, including Low Static, Medium Static, and Hi Static, are included with these devices.
Because medium and high static units are more powerful, air from them can be ducted farther, known as Ductable AC.
The capacity of these units ranges from 1.5 tonnes to 2.0 tonnes to 3.0 tonnes to 4 tonnes to 5 tonnes to 5.5 tonnes to 7.5 tonnes to 8.5 tonnes to 11 tonnes to 17 tonnes.
5. VRF Air-conditioners:
There is a lot of talk about VRF or VRV systems, which are single- or modular-capacity units with variable refrigerant flow. Therefore, by including more teams, the capacity of each module can be enhanced.
These modular units are linked to various interior units using copper piping for refrigerant transmission. The type of indoor unit can be as previously described. These units reduce both power and installed capacity.
These machines’ cooling capacity is often expressed in HP rather than tonnes. (However, for convenience, 1 HP equals 0.8 tonnes.)
These units have a 6 HP minimum starting point and a 48 HP maximum module.
Maintaining Your Air Conditioner:
Regular inspections and upkeep are crucial to safeguarding your investment and are significantly less expensive than fixing or replacing a poorly maintained air conditioner. A high-quality air conditioner with proper maintenance should operate without issues for more than ten years.
Here are a few things you can do each spring before you start using your air conditioner and frequently throughout the summer when it’s in use every day to keep it functioning well and lower the likelihood of a breakdown:
Change Your Furnace Filter Regularly:
To guarantee that your air conditioner can operate at its most practical level, check your furnace filter every three months to ensure it is clear and clean, and replace it as necessary.
Through the ductwork in your furnace, your air conditioner distributes cool air, which forces air through the furnace filter. If the filter is dirty, your air conditioner must work harder to chill your home. This utilizes too much electricity and puts too much stress on the air conditioner. Unlike thicker, premium filters, filters with lower microparticle performance ratings let in more airflow and are less demanding on your furnace’s blower motor.
Check condensate drains for blockages regularly and keep them clear:
Condensation is produced when your air conditioner is operating and is eliminated through a floor drain by the cooling coil attached to your boiler. Condensation can collect in the drain pipes if they are kinked or damaged or if the drain is blocked, which could harm your furnace or air conditioner. When changing your furnace filter and frequently when your A/C runs during the summer, check them.
Outside your home: regularly check around the A/C unit to ensure it’s free of leaves and debris:
Check the area around your a/c unit outside your house regularly and clean up any leaves or other debris that have accumulated there, as well as inside the coil or shroud. Never put your fingers or any other object inside the air conditioner; use a garden hose to spray any material.
Watch for problems and performance issues:
Call us to set up an AC repair call if you have any of the following problems so that our qualified specialists can assess the situation:
- Strange noises While the air conditioner is running, your house cools unevenly and not at the desired inside temperature.
- Continuous running of the A/C unit and a sharp increase in electricity usage
Potential Drawbacks of Air Conditioners:
While air conditioners have many advantages, they can also have some downsides, such as:
- High Energy Use: Air conditioners use much energy, increasing power costs and carbon emissions, contributing to climate change and global warming.
- Health Risks: Prolonged exposure to air conditioners can hurt your health by causing dry skin, a sore throat, and respiratory issues.
- Noise Pollution: Some air conditioners make a lot of noise, which contributes to noise pollution, which can be upsetting and interfere with sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions:
If not properly maintained, air conditioners can harbor bacteria, mold, and other pathogens that can cause infections and allergies, leading to respiratory problems.
Air conditioners can be bad for the environment due to their energy usage and use of refrigerants that can cause ozone depletion and global warming. Newer models, however, are made to be more energy-efficient and employ more environmentally benign refrigerants.
Intelligent temperature control, using a programmed thermostat, routine maintenance, fans and natural ventilation, and considering alternatives like evaporative coolers can all help your air conditioner use less energy.
Your electricity cost may increase if you use your air conditioner often and at lower temperatures. However, utilizing energy-efficient models and implementing the advice above will help you reduce your energy usage and expenses.
There are alternatives to air conditioning, including fans, shade equipment, evaporative coolers, and natural ventilation. These alternatives to air conditioning might provide cooling comfort while consuming less energy and water.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, air conditioners offer numerous advantages, including reduced asthma attacks, enhanced home security, a cool environment for exercise, fewer insects and parasites, and better sleep.
They come in various types, such as window units, split ACs, tower ACs, cassette ACs, ductable ACs, and VRF air conditioners, catering to different needs and spaces. Proper maintenance, such as regular filter changes and checking condensate drains, is crucial for optimal performance.
However, air conditioners have drawbacks, including high energy consumption, potential health risks, and noise pollution. Therefore, using them responsibly and exploring alternatives to minimise their environmental impact is important.
