If you’ve made the decision to purchase an air conditioner , you may be wondering which type is right for you. Here we look at two energy-efficient air conditioning methods (inverter and reverse cycle) and four different air conditioner types (portable, window-mounted, split system and ducted). You can decide which to choose depending on your budget, home size and cooling needs.

Energy-efficient air conditioning systems:

Inverter air conditioners

An inverter air conditioner is one that automatically adjusts the speed of its fan and motor in order to cool rooms in a more efficient manner. When you turn the air conditioner on, the speed of the fan and motor is quick, allowing the room to be cooled quicker. Once the desired temperature has been reached, the fan and motor slow themselves down, preserving energy.

Reverse cycle air conditioners

A reverse cycle air conditioner is one that draws heat from outdoors and then releases it into the home. In practice, a reverse cycle air conditioner can provide more than three units of heat for every unit of electricity, which makes it far more energy-efficient than a regular heater, which can produce one unit of heat for every unit of electricity. A reverse cycle air conditioner can then cool the home by simply reversing this process.

Air conditioner types:

Portable air conditioners

The most affordable option, portable air conditioners also have the advantage of being able to move from room to room. The disadvantage, however, is that they have a lower power output and subsequently aren’t as effective at cooling a room as other air conditioners. Plus, while they’re okay if you live by yourself, if you’re in a house with multiple people who may be in different rooms at the same time, you’re going to have to buy more than one portable air conditioner. At that point, cost becomes more of a factor.

Wall or window-mounted air conditioners

A more traditional type of air conditioner, these are generally bulky units that sit at your window or perhaps in your wall. While these units are usually great for cooling small rooms, the fact that they’re centrally located means rooms on the other side of the house won’t be cooled as effectively, if at all. Some people find that they look quite unattractive, too, so the aesthetic value is low. One extra advantage they have is that you can stand directly in front of a wall or window-mounted air conditioner to get the full force of its breeze when you need to be cooled down fast, such as on hot, sweaty days.

Split system air conditioners

This type of air conditioning system consists of a cooling unit which is placed on the outside of the home and is subsequently connected to one or more fans inside the home. Split system air conditioners are popular for cooling modern units and apartments, as well as smaller offices.

Ducted air conditioners

If you want to cool every room in your house, a ducted air conditioner is the way to go. These usually consist of an outdoor unit with a cooling fan and a motor, which is then connected to an indoor unit placed in the roof of your home. This is then connected to ducts which run throughout your house. If you have a two-storey home, you can run droppers through walls and wardrobes to heat your ground floor too. Some ducted air conditioning systems allow you to control which rooms are cooled and which are not — for example, you may wish to only cool the bedrooms at bedtime instead of wasting energy and money cooling the main living area.

Cool, huh? — Air Conditioner Types Demystified is a post from: 1st Choice Air Conditioning

Most people have experienced insomnia in their lives — by definition, it refers to difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep. For some people, insomnia is an occasional problem, while for others it’s a chronic condition that causes significant disruption to their everyday activities. In this article, we’ll look at five ways to cure insomnia (both transient insomnia and chronic insomnia), from installing better air conditioning to exercising regularly. Whether or not each of these will work depends largely on your level of insomnia but, at the very least, they’re worth a try.

Meditation

Sleep difficulties are often the result of an inability to “switch the mind off”, so to speak, at the end of the day. Insomnia sufferers may feel physically exhausted but, if their mind is still active, they still may be unable to get to sleep. One way to combat this is by meditating for 10 to 15 minutes every night before bedtime. Meditating should involve sitting and simply breathing, focusing your awareness on each breath and clearing the mind of thoughts, images and distractions.

Music

Another method which some people find effective is to listen to music while attempting to fall asleep. Often calm, soothing music is the way to go, especially when there are no lyrics, as this allows you to focus on just the sounds and clear your mind of distracting words. However, music that you love can also be very helpful, even if it isn’t what you’d consider “soothing”, as this can put you in a relaxed and familiar state of mind. Music also has the benefit of drowning out background noise that has the potential to distract you from your sleep.

Reading

Some people say that reading in bed is a bad idea for insomnia sufferers as it trains the body to associate the bed with something other than sleep. I’ve never found this to be true personally — in fact, reading has always been a great way to relax the body, clear the mind of distracting thoughts and get me ready for a state of sleep. If you do find that reading in bed isn’t helping your cause, try reading while sitting up in a nearby chair. When you get drowsy, put the book down and head to bed.

Air conditioning

Poor air conditioning is one of the most common causes of insomnia. If you don’t have air conditioning in your house and you’re stuck in a room with poor ventilation during hot summer nights, getting to sleep can be almost impossible due to the sweaty, sticky conditions. Alternately, if you’re in bed with inadequate blankets in a freezing cold room on a winter’s night you could also struggle. Installing ducted air conditioners allows you to heat or cool your bedrooms, promoting better comfort and helping you get a restful night’s sleep.

Be healthy

This is advice that should be followed for more reasons than just curing insomnia, but when it comes to sleeplessness an unhealthy lifestyle is one of the major causes. Whether it’s lack of exercise, poor nutrition, stress or a mixture of each, health factors can play a very big role. If you exercise regularly, eat healthy and engage in enough recreational activities to relieve your mind of stress, sleep will naturally become a whole lot easier. Give it a try.

Sleep Tight: 5 Ways to Cure Insomnia is a post from: 1st Choice Air Conditioning

Competition in the rental market is so fierce these days that it can be tempting to grab the first property that becomes available so you can stop the hunt, settle down and get on with your life. However, many people rush into rental properties without doing some basic but essential groundwork to ensure their living situation is as comfortable as possible. Before deciding on a rental property, there are a few key elements you need to look out for, from ensuring there’s an air conditioner available to seeing that you’re close to amenities and public transport. Treat this as a kind of checklist when you’re on the rental hunt.

Poor location

It’s surprising how many people rush into rental properties without considering whether or not their chosen home is close enough to transport and amenities to make their life easier. This is particularly important if you don’t have a car. Before deciding on a rental property, see where the local shopping centre is — if there’s one around the corner, great, but remember, even a five-minute walk can turn into a weekly marathon when you’re lugging six shopping bags’ worth of groceries. Check bus routes to see if the bus runs near your rental property too or, alternatively, that there are nearby train stations.

Noisy neighbourhood

Everything can seem wonderful when you show up for the rental inspection at 10am on a Saturday morning, but many areas become a different world altogether at night time. If you’re considering moving into an area, try going there on a weeknight or even a Saturday night to see what the noise is like. You might find that there is a noisy pub or restaurant precinct that will disturb your sleep. Try talking to some of the neighbours, too, and ask them what they think — they might fill you in about some noisy neighbours or any other secrets you may not have realised.

Lack of air conditioning

Anyone who has lived in a place without air conditioning knows that the summer nights can be long and sleepless, and the winter mornings can be downright horrible. When choosing a rental property, look for a place that has an air conditioner. If it’s a larger place, you’ll want a ducted air conditioner in each room to do a better job of cooling the house. There’s nothing better than coming home to a lovely, cooled home on a sizzling summer day, and nothing makes getting out of the bed in the morning or stepping out of a warm shower easier than well-heated rooms.

No connections

The costs of moving house are pretty high as it is — aside from upfront rent and bond payments, you also have to factor in moving costs, new furniture and more. So it can be a real kick in the guts to discover that your new home doesn’t have an active Internet or Foxtel connection. These things cost money to set up — money you wouldn’t have had to spend if you’d found a place with these increasingly necessary facilities already provided. Make sure you ask your real estate agent if an ADSL connection and pay TV are enabled in your home or building.

Unfair rents

Find out what some of the other rental houses or apartments in the area you’ve chosen are costing and compare what your landlord is asking for yours. If there is a discrepancy without any real difference in the facilities provided, you could be getting taken for a ride. Additionally, if you’re certain you want to be in the area for a while, ask for a 12-month leases instead of a six-month. Landlords have a habit of putting up the rent at the end of leases so you’ll want to skip as many of these opportunities as possible.

Rental Red Flags: 5 Things to Avoid is a post from: 1st Choice Air Conditioning

When it comes to their homes, most people don’t want to skimp on comfort. A few basic comforts at your place of residence can have an incredible effect on your daily life, reducing stress, aiding sleep and, in general, contributing to overall happiness. From basic upholstery which adds aesthetic warmth to your home to an air conditioner which can add actual warmth, read on to discover five comforts every home should have.

Add warmth with upholstery

Upholstered pieces such as cushions, blankets and slip covers are designed to add warmth to any home. While hard, wooden furniture, leather and so forth can look chic and classy, sometimes on a cold winter’s night in your lounge room all you really want is a snuggly feeling of safety. Adding these fabrics to your lounge is a great way to add comfort, while extra cushions on chairs add warmth and personality to otherwise cold, boring areas of your home.

Versatile window treatments

Some people say that windows and window treatments are the most important part of the home. This is because they play multiple roles — they ensure privacy when you’re not at home (or when you are and don’t want to be disturbed!); they add warmth at night time when the the curtains are closed and the lights are on; they let the sun shine in early in the morning when the chill of the night has left the home cold and unwelcoming; and they allow natural air to flow through when everything needs a bit of refreshment. Invest in some lovely blinds or curtains for every room in your house.

Air conditioning

Australian summer days can be oppressively hot, while the chill of our winter nights can leave us shaking in our socks and slippers. For this reason, most Australians have invested in some sort of air conditioning system, from ducted air conditioners to wall-mounted air conditioners, to make these seasonal extremes a little more bearable. There’s nothing better than walking into a cool home after a long day out in the sun or, on the other side of the coin, rolling out of bed on a winter’s morning to a house that has already been warmed by a great air conditioner.

ADSL internet connection

There was a time when an ADSL internet connection was something only tech heads were interested in but, these days, it’s almost essential. No longer are we content with slow connections that click and stutter their way to providing you with internet access — it’s all about getting information as quickly as possible whenever we need it. While wireless connections are handy for those looking to access the internet when outside of the home, they simply cannot provide the speeds offered by a great ADSL connection. Get one installed in your home and you can download music, TV and movies in a matter of minutes, and your web browser will return your search query faster than you can say ‘Google’.

Balconies and verandahs

Okay, so maybe not everyone can afford one, but if you can, this is a comfort that every Australian should have. There’s nothing better than wiling away the hours of a lazy sunday afternoon on your verandah with a good book, a chilled beverage and your feet up. Whether you’re in the heart of suburbia listening to the sounds of the birds, by a busy road listening to traffic go by or in the outback with nothing but the sound of your own breathing, a great balcony or verandah is the place you want to be.

5 Comforts Every Australian Home Should Have is a post from: 1st Choice Air Conditioning

Australian summers are some of the harshest in the world. Temperatures reach higher than 40 degrees Celsius on a regular basis and, when it’s that hot, there are steps everyone needs to take to remain safe and healthy. In this article we’ll take a look at five ways to survive the heat of an Australian summer, from comfort factors such as installing an air conditioner to essential safety tips such as wearing sun screen and not lighting fires.

1. Find water!

When the heat is on, Australians from Sydney to Perth and everywhere north, south and in between seek respite in the cool of the water. If you have a backyard swimming pool or know a friend with a backyard swimming pool of their own, slice up some watermelon and spend the day lazing around the pool. If not, head to the local public pool or make your way to the beach. The oppressive heat will feel another world away as your fingers and toes get wrinkly floating in the cool h20. Make sure you wear sun screen and drink plenty of water too.

2. Slip, slop, slap

The famous mantra of ‘Slip, slop and slap’ is one that every Australian would be familiar with but not every Australian would put into practice. But the wisdom behind these three silly words is immeasurable. Slip on a shirt — preferably a white one, as darker colours tend to attract the sun and will be extra uncomfortable on a scorching day. Slop on some sun screen — we already mentioned it above, but it bears repeating. Avoid sun screen and not only will you end up with painful burns, but you’re also putting yourself at risk of skin cancer in the future. Finally, slap on a hat — make it a wide-brimmed one if you’ve got one, but a cap will do in a stretch.

3. Air conditioning

Every Australian home should be fitted with an air conditioner. It’s particularly important for areas more than 10-15 minutes inland from the coast, as the further inland you get the more hot and humid it becomes and the further away you’ll be from the respite of the beach with it’s breeze and waters. A ducted air conditioner which cools every room of the house can be the difference between long, sweaty summers with long days and sleepless nights, and comfortable summers where you don’t seem to skip a beat. Having air conditioning in the car too is even better.

4. Shopping centres

If you don’t have air conditioning in your home, here’s a trick that every Aussie is fast becoming familiar with. Head down to your local shopping centre and simply spend the hottest parts of the day (say, midday to 4pm) in there. These places always have immaculate air conditioning, not to mention plenty of food and shopping to keep you entertained. Another good option is the local cinema, which is always well-cooled as well. You can kick back and watch a new flick while lapping up the chilled air.

5. Don’t light fires

Some of the tips we’ve given so far have been for your comfort, and some have been for your safety, but this one is for the safety of everyone around you. Australia is the most bushfire-prone country in the world and too many of our summers have seen lives and livelihoods ruined by these devastating disasters. Raging bushfires can start as innocuously as a discarded cigarette or a lit match. If you’re anywhere close to bushland, under no circumstances should you be lighting fires in the summer. Serious penalties go along with doing so and, worse still, you could be responsible for death and damage you could never forgive yourself for.

5 Ways to Survive an Australian Summer is a post from: 1st Choice Air Conditioning

The selection of an air conditioner for the home is an important choice and one that can be quite involved and confusing.

Many people automatically assume that a ducted air conditioner is the most appropriate for a typical home, but these systems are commonly more expensive, more difficult to install and are often more expensive to operate. So, in the instance of wanting to cool only a particular room or a designated area of the house, a single room air conditioner may be a more appropriate choice.

No decision about air conditioning should be made hastily and without the relevant information. As there are many different models to choose from and a range of different features that are available, the decision of the best air conditioner for your needs should come from an informed and well-researched position.

#1  Different types of air conditioners:

Many different types of air conditioning systems are available. These include:

• Window mounted units (which are incredibly popular and renowned for being economical)
• Wall mounted units (which are popular and often found in modern homes, but do require significant installation/renovation work)
• Window/wall units (these units are designed for and enable installation in either place)
• Portable air conditioners (these systems are mobile and expel hot air through a connection that is positioned out of a window)
• Split ductless or mini air systems (these tend to be significantly more expensive that window or wall units, but have the advantage of being less intrusive and obvious than traditional central units).

#2  Type of refrigerant:

In order to protect and prolong the life of your air conditioner (and ensure that you have no problems having your unit serviced), ensure that your air conditioner operates using an approved refrigerant. Although this is becoming less of a concern as ozone depleting and other dangerous refrigerants are phased out and replaced, purchasers should make sure that they do not end up buying an air conditioner that is environmentally hazardous.

#3  Check capacity:

It is important that you select a model of air conditioner that is recommended for the size of the area that you wish to cool. Manufacturers do provide recommendations as to the size and coverage of the room for which particular systems are designed and it is important to observe and follow these recommendations. If you choose a system that is too small for a given area you are likely to find that it provides inadequate service and conversely, if the system is too large for the space you will pay too much for air conditioning that you will not need or use.

The best advice is to measure the area of the space before you shop and make a purchase. Then, when you find an air conditioner that you like, confirm that the cooling unit offers the most appropriate coverage for a space of that size.

#4  Energy efficiency:

It is incredibly important to consider the Energy Efficiency rating (EER) of an air conditioner before purchasing. Also, using an Energy Star qualified air conditioner can enable you to enjoy energy expenses that are approximately 30% less than those of non-qualifying air conditioners.

Selecting the most appropriate air conditioner for your home is an important decision. Of course, you want to choose a system that is as cost effective and energy efficient as possible and one that is specifically designed for the size and space that you require it to cool.

Four Considerations When Choosing a Home Air Conditioner is a post from: 1st Choice Air Conditioning

In a country with a climate as hot as Australia’s, an effective air conditioner may realistically be called a necessity. Increasingly, people recognise the need for a system to fit with their needs and purposes and so make informed decisions regarding the use of a ducted air conditioner, split system or wall/window mounted unit. Regardless of the system that is chosen, all of us want to use a system that is as energy and cost effective as possible – particularly when the rising costs of power are factored in.

It comes as a great relief to many to know that there are a range of simple and straightforward things that we can all do to save energy when using air conditioners. By applying these guidelines, not only will you make some cost savings, you will be helping to protect our environment by reducing energy consumption.

• It is worthwhile and effective to install the air conditioner on the side of the building that is most shaded. Similarly, if it is a split system that is being installed, the outdoor unit can and should be positioned on the shady side of the building. In doing so, be sure that the air flow around the unit is free and able to flow without obstruction.
• Set the temperature of your air conditioning unit carefully and thoughtfully. In winter, a room that you are trying to heat should be heated to between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius and in summer, the temperature of a cooled room should be set at between 23 and 26 degrees Celsius. This may seem too warm, but keep in mind that there is less humidity indoors and so the room will feel cooler. It is always wise to check the temperature after the air conditioner has been on for half an hour.
• If a hot day is expected, it is most energy efficient to turn the air conditioner on early. Many people falsely believe that you should wait until the building has warmed up before operating the air conditioner, but air conditioners are designed to operate at their maximum efficiency when the outside air temperature is cooler.
• When refrigerative air conditioners are used, windows and doors should be kept closed. However, if an evaporative system is used, some air flow is required by way of open doors and/or windows. On hot days and cold nights, curtains should be closed and in summer, it is most effective to have outdoor shading for windows.
• Many air conditioning systems feature adjustable louvres. If they are a component of your system, ensure that they are turned toward the ceiling when cooling and toward the floor when heating (this follows the science of hot air rising and cool air falling).
• Filter cleaning is important and it is vital that the instructions of the manufacturer are followed when doing so.

Many of the best ways to save energy when using an air conditioner follow common sense. Energy efficiency is of course important as no one wants to pay more for power than they have to and it is increasingly common for people to want to behave in ways that are as environmentally friendly as possible.

How to Save Energy When using an Air Conditioner is a post from: 1st Choice Air Conditioning

When we set out to buy an air conditioner, there are a number of considerations which we try to weigh up…not only do we want it to meet our needs, we want it to fit within our budget and be as energy efficient as possible.

In an effort to acquire a system that is as energy efficient as possible, it is important to consider whether a ducted air conditioner or perhaps a wall or window mounted model will be most suitable and most able to provide the ‘air service’ that we require.

As an estimated 45% of Australian households own an air conditioner (and surely many more are interested in such a purchase), it is useful to have some insight into features of energy efficient air conditioning systems that can save the environment and money for consumers. Although the ways that people use their air conditioners varies significantly, there are some general pointers that are useful for everyone to know.

Star Rating:

Above all else, the most important thing to look for is the star rating of an air conditioner.

Be aware that three different kinds of energy rating labels exist for air conditioners:

• A blue band of stars is used for models that perform a cooling function only and for such systems, a blue box indicates the model’s energy consumption figure.
• A band of two stars indicates the energy efficiency of reverse-cycle models. The two bands are blue and red – with the blue band showing the system’s energy efficiency when cooling and the red band showing it’s heating efficiency. With this, there are two energy consumption figures provided. Again, these are blue for cooling and red for heating.
• It is extremely rare in Australia, but a third label exists for air conditioners that offer a heating only function.

When making a decision about the best air conditioner for their purposes, a prospective purchaser needs to determine the size of system that is needed for the task and then select the most energy efficient model for carrying out that task.

Window/Wall or Split System:

In Australian households, the most commonly used air conditioners are window/wall systems or split systems.

In terms of energy efficiency, neither system is necessarily superior to the other, but in general terms, split systems can sometimes be more efficient as their components may be less limited by size.

Split systems are also renowned for being more quiet indoors when they are operating, but come with the disadvantage (and often prohibiting factor) of being more expensive.

In larger houses and spaces such as offices, it is common for ducted air conditioners to be used. Regardless of the type of system that is used, it is vital to check the system’s number of stars and energy rating before making a final decision.

Inverter Systems:

An inverter or variable speed is one of the most innovative and appealing features of modern air conditioning systems. In the motor system, such systems enable a variable compressor speed. It is sometimes the case that these systems seem to be less efficient when operating at full load but this is compensated by the fact that they are often far more efficient when operating at part load (and this is far more common for Australian households).

Generally speaking, inverter systems are more expensive to buy.

When making the purchase of an air conditioner, the energy rating and efficiency of the system is an important consideration. It is also vital to determine the needs and expectations that you have of the air conditioner and choose a system accordingly.

Energy Efficient Air Conditioners — What You Should Look For is a post from: 1st Choice Air Conditioning

With most of us acutely aware of the rising cost of power, it follows that when choosing or running an air conditioner, we want it to be as energy efficient as possible. Of course, there are many choices when it comes to air conditioners – they may be wall mounted or ducted air conditioners, refrigerative or evaporative systems – regardless, there are a number of energy saving features of air conditioners of which it literally pays to be aware.

Before launching into the list of features, it is worth noting that some of these features are found in the most technologically sophisticated and advanced air conditioning systems. It is unrealistic to expect all of these features to be included in all products on the market. However, if you are seeking the most energy efficient system possible, be on the lookout for systems which feature these qualities.

#1:  Automatic detection

Many people want to have a system that provides uninterrupted heating and cooling, without the system ‘over-servicing’ the room or area. Contemporary units are able to automatically detect the number of people or level of activity in a room and appropriately adjust the temperature to make it consistently pleasant and comfortable.

#2:  Precise control

Many sophisticated and cutting edge air conditioners will heat or cool the room to a desired, specified temperature and then adjust the speed of the compressor rotation so that the system operates with the minimum power required. It is estimated that this can offer energy savings of up to 50% for cooling and 64% for heating. Who would not want to capitalise on such significant savings?

#3:  Constant temperature

Rather than having to constantly switch on and off, the most sophisticated energy saving air conditioners will maintain the temperature that is set by the user and this can provide hassle free, ongoing comfort no matter what the season or external weather conditions.

#4:  Power usage

Such air conditioners will also deliver the precise amount of power that is essential to cool or heat your room as soon as the system is turned on. This means that your space will heat or cool significantly faster than if a less energy efficient model was used.

#5:  Quiet operation

Along with increased energy efficiency comes more quiet operation! Many units are incredibly quiet and this makes them entirely appropriate for use in bedrooms and other quiet areas. In fact, these systems can remain on all night without disturbing sleep or other activities.

#6:  Air purification

The most sophisticated and advanced air conditioners are not only energy efficient and effective, they also provide air that is significantly cleaner and healthier. How is this possible? Well, such systems monitor rooms and are attuned to detect dirt, dust, bacteria, mould and other undesirables. If these are sensed, the system will expel specific air particles that attach to unwanted particles and send them back to a filter within the unit. This is perhaps an overly simple explanation, but definitely a very appealing feature of the most energy efficient air conditioning systems!

#7:  Elimination of dry eyes, lips, and skin

Many people find that one of the most undesirable features of modern air conditioning units is the way that they can leave room inhabitants complaining of dry eyes, skin, mouths and throats. The feature of mild dry cooling in the most advanced systems means that the air conditioner cools a room while maintaining air moisture. And the best part of this is that it is an option – users can switch this feature off if they so desire.

There are far more than seven features of the most efficient energy saving air conditioners. However, the ones mentioned in this article are some of the most appealing and noteworthy features and features that make the use of an air conditioner all the more comfortable and affordable.

Seven Features of Energy Saving Air Conditioners is a post from: 1st Choice Air Conditioning

A necessity in so many homes and workplaces, air conditioner are the most effective way of cooling rooms and spaces. While so many of us rely on air conditioner systems on a daily basis, most of us have a limited understanding of how they operate and strategies that can be used to increase their energy efficiency.

Fact #1: Contrary to popular belief, it is never more energy efficient to keep an air conditioner running at a minimal level all day than to turn it off and re-cool the house or office space at a later time. Whenever your air conditioner is running, you are paying for it.

Fact #2: It is important to keep your windows closed when the air conditioner is off. This prevents additional humidity from being let in and, if your home is well insulated, the temperature should only increase by a few degrees throughout the day when you are not at home.

Fact #3: Ducted air conditioners do not work better when the ducts to rooms that are not in use are left open. By closing doors, vents and ducts to rooms that are not being used, your air conditioner will work all the more efficiently.

Fact #4: Resist the temptation to turn the air conditioner’s thermostat five to seven degrees cooler than the temperature at which it is usually set in an effort to cool your house faster. It does not work as an air conditioner extracts hot air and replaces it with cold. Your air conditioner is only able to replace a particular amount of hot air with cold in a particular time.

Fact #5: A range of different materials are used to make air conditioners. Plastic is just one of the materials that is used today in order to reduce weight and cost. Copper or aluminium is used for tubing as these materials have great thermal properties and enable more efficient working of a system. Stainless steel and other materials resistant to corrosion are also commonly used.

Fact #6: Regardless of the type of air conditioner that you use or have, four key components are incorporated: a pump, a condenser, an evaporator and an expansion valve. In addition, all systems have a working fluid and an opposing fluid medium.

Fact #7: Most commonly, air conditioners are powered by an electrically driven pump and motor which combine to circulate the refrigerant.

Fact #8: Known as the ‘working fluid’, the fluid that flows throughout the air conditioning system is usually a liquid that possesses strong thermodynamic qualities. Freon, hydrocarbons, ammonia or water are commonly used for this purpose.

Fact #9: As a result of environmental concerns, working fluids now most commonly consist of ammonia or water.

Fact #10: New research is currently being done to create new working fluids and improved system parts. These advances are in part to keep up with rapidly changing and evolving markets and demands but also to increase the energy efficiency of air conditioner systems.

Important in so many of our lives, air conditioners make stifling hot days more bearable and often, effectively warm rooms in colder weather. Continually advancing and becoming increasingly sophisticated in design and operation, air conditioners of all types and specifications are available to meet a range of needs for homes and businesses.

Ten Facts About Air Conditioners is a post from: 1st Choice Air Conditioning