There are some important things to know when looking at an air conditioner for your home. To begin, an air-conditioning unit is an appliance designed to take heat and humidity from a room using a type of refrigeration cycle design. It should provide a comfortable indoor environment that is constant and consistent, despite the weather conditions outside.
Air conditioners were first built in the 1900's. These cooling systems were made to control humidity as well as temperature. The first air-conditioned building in the world was the Royal Victoria hospital in Belfast Ireland. Since then, a cooling system is considered an every day requirement in both business and homes.
It is believed that a good air conditioning system in larger buildings can increase worker productivity. They are also used in buildings that are high up. These buildings have poor ventilation due to high wind speeds.
A regularly updated and well-maintained air conditioner can save money on energy costs. Some of the things that will save money on energy bills are regular maintenance such as sealing air links and tightening up air ducts.
Using an air conditioning unit that fits the room properly will also save on costs. If it is too big for a room, not only will it cost more to run but also make the room clammy and damp. To find out the correct size of air conditioner, the square footage of the room should first be determined.
Many people fear using air conditioners in their home because they believe that illnesses such as legionnaires disease will be caused by them. They also believe they promote the growth of moulds and the spread of microorganisms that cause sickness. This is not true if the unit is properly maintained. A properly maintained air cooling system can be used to create a hypoallergenic atmosphere for allergy and asthma sufferers.
Many manufacturers construct air conditioning units especially for the purpose of removing allergens and pollutants from the air in homes and offices. They usually cost a little more but save n the long run by reducing the need to medical care from allergy and asthma attacks as well as illness.
When choosing an cooling system, it is vital to ask a representative for information on the size of air conditioner that you require. Then it is important to have regular maintenance done on your system to save both on energy costs and to keep the air that you breathe healthy and clean.
To keep your central air conditioner system in top-performing condition, follow these tips:
- Check all of the hoses for leaks at least twice a year. The best times to do this are before you turn on your unit for the summer season, and just before you turn it off for the winter. Make sure the condensate tube is draining freely. By checking this you will be able to catch onto any problems before they get to be too serious for repair.
- Keep the outside compressor as clean as possible. Keep it clear of tall grass and shrubs. Plantings should be at least one foot away from the entire unit for adequate airflow.
- Change the air filter monthly, particularly during the summer when dust and allergens circulate.
- Vacuum registers and air vents regularly.
- Sealing ducts will save energy and money all year round. Use mastic tape or sealer rather than plain duct tape, which will dry out and peel off over time.
- Have the ductwork professionally cleaned every few of years. This maintenance can extend the life of your air conditioner.
- During the winter months, keep the compressor covered. This you protect it from cold weather as well as harsh conditions such as snow and sleet.
- Be sure to keep furniture and drapes away from the registers.
- Raise your thermostat. Each degree of temperature can represent up to 9% savings in cooling costs.
- Keep the unit fan on ?AUTO.? It's not necessary to run the fan constantly when the air conditioner is not operating.
- When working around your air conditioner, be sure to shut the power off before you start.
It's also important to have your entire air conditioning system inspected by a professional service technician. A professional can measure the refrigerant to see if it needs recharging and measure the airflow over the air conditioner's cooling coils. They will also clean and inspect the motor, compressor, air handler, ducts, coils and air filter. An annual tune-up can reduce your cooling costs by five percent.
Air conditioner maintenance is important to keep your unit running properly and help save energy costs for many years to come!
Both Heather Colman & Wolfe Plumbing are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.