1) Solar Panels Don’t Work When It Is Overcast

Solar panels can work in most weather conditions and climates as it collects light and not heat. Even on cloudy or overcast days, light will still hit the solar panels and be collected and converted into electricity. Furthermore, foggy weather has no effect on the efficiency of solar panels; they can still produce enough power to be a viable source of electricity.

2) Solar Panels Will Damage Your Roof

Solar panels can protect the section of the roof that they cover. Because the panels aren’t physically attached to the roof and are just installed on top of it, they may be readily removed if the roof the panels are sitting on is damaged and has to be fixed. When there are gaps between the roofs and the panels, sealant is usually applied to fill them. Metal covers are also used to protect the mounts, providing an added layer of protection. Always double-check your roof for damage before installing a new one.

3) Solar Panels Are Expensive

Solar panels have a reputation for being a costly luxury rather than a financially realistic energy source for a home. This is due in part to their shared history. However, the cost of installing solar panels has decreased dramatically in recent years. Their efficiency increased at the same time. Additionally, you may now earn money with them thanks to the government’s Feed-in Tariff scheme.

4) Solar Panels Are Difficult to Maintain

If you use a reputable manufacturer, solar panel installation is relatively simple. Solar panels are easier to maintain if your system is connected to your utility grid, which is common among electricity systems. The solar panels would simply need to be washed with water to remove any dust, debris, or snow that had accumulated. Solar panels are built to survive a variety of adverse weather conditions, including hail, sleet, and snow. A battery-based system will require more cleaning than one without, but systems without batteries are more common and less expensive than ones with batteries.

Contact Us

If you would like to find out more information about the solar services we provide or would like some advice on our other services, please do not hesitate to contact us by either filling out our online contact form or by calling us on 020 8989 8989.

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The Basics

The general differences between a traditional boiler and a heat pump is how they operate. Boilers produce heat by heating a coolant to a predetermined temperature whereas heat pumps absorb the ambient thermal energy (from the air or underground depending on the heat pump type) which is then transferred to a heating element.

Efficiency

Electricity is required to run heat pumps however the Coefficient of Performance (CoP), which is the ratio of heat produced versus electricity usage, is efficient within a heat pump. The heat created via heat pumps can be as high as 300-500% more than the electricity consumed. So, this makes heat pumps a fairly economical solution to heating your property.

Dual Use

The heat pump cycle is fully reversible, so they can be used for both heating and cooling. The CoP for cooling mode is less than for heating mode, because the work done by the compressor is utilised only during the heating mode.

CO2 Emissions

Installing a heat pump could cut your carbon emissions by more than 23 tonnes of CO2 over 10 years. According to the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) website ‘They [heat pumps] contribute to an annual reduction of 9,16 million tons CO2 emissions in the EU. According to IEA, heat pumps could save 50% of the building sector’s CO2 emissions, and 5% of the industrial sector’s. This means that 1.8 billion tonnes of CO2 per year could be saved by heat pumps.’

Contact Us

If you would like more information about the heat pump services we provide and would like to know our availability, please do not hesitate to get in touch by filling out our online contact form or by calling us on 020 8989 8989.

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When introducing anything new into your home, pet owners first have to ask, is this safe and suitable for my animal? Whether you own a dog, cat, rabbit or parrot you may be wondering whether an air conditioning unit has a place in your home. The short answer is yes. We at Air Conditioning Direct will use this blog to explore the different things to consider when bringing in air conditioning into you and your pets’ home.

Leaving the Air Conditioning On

Can I leave the air conditioning on and leave my pet at home?

Yes. Keeping air conditioning on in the summer is a great way of keeping your pet cool. Warm blooded animals can be susceptible to overheating and a cooler environment will help them with the regulation of their own body temperature. Some say that it would be a good idea to slowly acclimate your pet to air conditioning but it is agreed that it is safe for pets.

Air Filter

It is important for your pets health, as well as your own, to change and maintain your air filter. As the air circulates the unit, contaminants are filtered out such as dust and pet dander. This can lead to a build up of dirt that can aggravate allergies.

A dirty air filter also blocks up the system, reducing the air flow throughout the unit which can happen a lot quicker with the addition of pet fur. It is recommended that you change your air filter at least once per month.

Ideal Temperature

There are many factors to consider when figuring out the ideal temperature for your pets to live in. This includes but is not limited to:
-The species
-The age of your pet
-The fur type of your pet
-The weight of your pet
-Any underlying health issues

Contact Us

For all of your air conditioning needs or inquiries please don’t hesitate to contact us by either filling out our contact form or alternatively calling us on 020 8989 8989.

The post Air Conditioning and Pets: Can You Have Both? appeared first on Air Conditioning Direct.

In this blog, we are going to discuss some of the key ways in which installing an air conditioning system can benefit your office.

Improved Air Quality

Air conditioners work to freshen the air of an indoor space, filtering the air to make sure that there is nothing harmful being circulated. The built-in filtration system that most air conditioners are constructed with works to reduce the number of bacteria and dust particles in the airflow. In the confines of an office where it is very easy for coughs and colds to spread, having a machine purifying the air will drastically help the chances of avoiding transmission. This is also very beneficial for people with allergies or respiratory problems.

Energy Efficiency

Over the years, air conditioner technology has improved vastly, with both large heat recovery systems and split systems being able to heat and cool a building efficiently. New and improved air conditioning systems are now one of the more energy-efficient ways of controlling the temperature in your office. This means that your company will not have to spend as much on utility bills and your business’ carbon footprint will be smaller.

More Comfortable Work Environment

With air conditioners becoming more advanced, newer systems can easily recognise the temperature outside of your workplace and adjust the inside temperature accordingly. Keeping the office at a regular temperature will go a long way in keeping your employees comfortable, boosting morale and productivity. A comfortable work environment means happy workers.

Contact Air Conditioning Direct

If you are interested in purchasing and fitting a new air conditioning system for your place of work, then get in touch with Air Conditioning Direct today. Our team of experienced professionals are here to make sure that all your air conditioning needs are met.

If you would like to get in touch with us, you can fill out our online contact form or give us a call on 020 8989 8989.

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In this blog, we are going to talk about when you do and don’t need to seek out planning permission when installing an air conditioner, what the specifications are, and how to go about securing planning permission.

When Does Your Air Conditioner Need Planning Permission?

Generally speaking, smaller air conditioning systems do not need planning permission, however, once an air conditioner surpasses certain specifications, it is required that you ask for approval before fitting a system to your home or workspace.

These specifications include if the air conditioner is bigger than 0.6m³, if the system is going to be positioned under a metre away from the properties boundaries, if it is going to be fitted under a metre away from the edge of a flat roof, or if the unit is going to be fitted onto a pitched roof.

Depending on where your house or office is based also makes a difference to the level of planning permission required if you want to insert an air conditioner. Properties that are positioned in conservation areas, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Parks, or World Heritage Sites, all require extra planning permission.

Applying For Planning Permission

If you find that the air conditioner you are wanting to install falls under the specifications previously mentioned in this blog, you may be wondering how to go about applying for planning permission.

This is actually not very difficult to find out, as all you need to do is contact your local authority and explain to them the details of the work you would like to do. Gaining planning permission can take between 8 to 13 weeks, so it is best to plan ahead. If you do not own the home or property you are wanted to fit an air conditioner to, you will also need to get the permission of the building manager.

Contact Air Conditioning Direct

If you would like to find out more information about the AC services we provide or would like some advice on air conditioners, please feel free to fill out our online contact form or call us on 020 8989 8989.

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Choosing The Right Plants

If you are in the position of already having installed an air conditioning system and are looking for plants that are the best suited for an air conditioned environment, there are a few options available to you. Air conditioning creates a room with low humidity, so plants that fare the best in this type of environment should be at the top of your list to choose from.

Plants such as the Peace Lily or the Snake Plant are comfortable living in environments with drier humidity. The Parlour Palm is also a great option as they are very adaptive to low humidity and they require very little attention so you will not have to worry about maintaining them too much.

A good idea is also to include terrariums into your plant collection – these can be purchased or easily made yourself at home. Terrariums are perfect for living in air conditioned rooms because they create their own humid environment. Because the vapour that is released by the plants can’t escape the glass jar, it recycles and creates its own small scale water cycle.

Maintaining Existing Plants

Even if the plants you already own are the specific types that tend to cope easily in an air conditioned environment, there are still ways in which they can be maintained and kept thriving.

A big factor is to do with the positioning of the plants in relation to the air conditioner. You should avoid placing plants directly underneath the air conditioner, as the constant blast of cool air can freeze cells, preventing nutrients from moving freely around the plant.

Air conditioners can cause plants to lose moisture, so in order to keep them healthy, they should be misted and watered regularly to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need. Although be vary of overwatering because this will cause it to drown.

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Plants and air conditioning systems can coexist in your home, it just means that some plants will require more attention and some more thought needs to go into where they are placed in relation to the air conditioner.

If you would like more information about the air conditioning services we provide and would like to know our availability, please feel free to get in touch by filling out our online contact form or by calling us on 020 8989 8989. We deliver air conditioning systems in and around London and Essex, including Kensington, Loughton and Chigwell.

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Keep Away From Hot Points

Your new air conditioning unit is likely to have a built in thermostat installed, regulating the temperature of the room to adjust accordingly. To give the unit the best chance possible of having an accurate reading, it should be positioned away from hot points of the room. These hot points can be anything that gets an unbalanced amount of heat compared to the rest of the room, such as above a kettle or in direct sunlight. If your air conditioning unit is placed in a neutral area, its temperature regulation is going to work more effectively.

Avoid Placement Directly Over Bed

At first thoughts, the idea of an air conditioner pouring cold air over you while you try to sleep on a summer’s night may seem dreamy, but the reality is quite different. Placing an air conditioning system is a common mistake as the vast majority of people find that this placement has the opposite effect, making them too cold while they’re trying to drift off. For a happy medium, the general consensus is that the AC unit should be placed in a central location. This will provide the required cooling without it feeling too cold.

Think About Air Flow

It is advisable that your air conditioning system should be placed in a position that compliments the natural air flow of the room. In order to get the most use of your system, it should be placed away from doors that will be frequently opened and shut, as well as any furniture that may block the AC’s air flow. The easier it is for the air to be transported from your conditioner to the rest of the room, the more effective it will be.

Contact Air Conditioning Direct

If you would like to find out more information about the residential AC services we provide or would like some advice on air conditioners, please feel free to fill our our online contact form or call us on 020 8989 8989.

The post Where Should Your Air Conditioner Be Placed? appeared first on Air Conditioning Direct.

Having a fully functioning air conditioning system in your home or office can greatly improve your comfort levels, whether that be from warming you up or cooling you down. After owning one for a while, your air conditioning system can become a part of the furniture and so you may forget to service it regularly. We have compiled a few reasons why you should keep up with your air conditioner maintenance.

Energy Efficiency

Ensuring that your air conditioning maintenance is up to scratch will mean that the system is far more likely to be running at its full capability. If not serviced, your air conditioner will gradually run at less and less efficiency, meaning you will be spending more money running the system than necessary.

Saving on Repair Costs

Speaking of saving money… Keeping up with air conditioning maintenance means that the system is far less likely to stop working seemingly out of nowhere. When this happens, not only are you suddenly plunged unexpectedly into a world without air con, but you will also have to spend money on emergency repairs. Regular servicing can eliminate the chance of needing to fork out the money for air conditioner restoration.

Preserving the Quality of Air

A serviced, fully functioning air conditioner should be providing the room with clean and fresh air. Over time the filter inside the machine will gather dust, causing the quality of air it is producing to drop. This is due the filter not being able to do its job of purifying the air effectively before sending it back out into the room. For people with medical issues such as asthma this can be harmful, so ensuring that the air quality remains at a high level by regularly getting your air conditioner serviced is very important.

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We hope that these reasons detailing why it is important to maintain your air conditioning system was helpful to you. Elsewhere on the website you can also find blogs on similar issues, such as whether using air con during the Covid-19 pandemic is safe, and if it is safe to sleep with the air conditioning on.

Air Conditioning Direct provides services across London, including Loughton, Finchley and St John’s Wood. For more information, please feel free to get in touch with us by filling out our online contact form, or by calling 020 8989 8989.

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The simple answer is yes – according to HSE, the risk of contracting coronavirus as a result of air conditioning is extremely low, as long as there is adequate ventilation on the premises. The majority of air conditioning systems will not need to have their settings changed, unless they recycle air from room to room. Fresh air supply should be used wherever possible.

How To Ensure Office Spaces Are Properly Ventilated

Even before COVID-19 swept across the UK, proper ventilation was highly important. It is now the legal responsibility of the employer to ensure that proper fresh air ventilation is supplied to all offices in their building. Air Conditioning units are the best way of doing this, however there are other ways you can supplement mechanical ventilation:

• Open windows as wide as they can be wherever possible

• Use fans to help circulate air

• Keep Air Conditioning Systems maintained and ensure any repairs are carried out

Furthermore, you can improve the general air quality of an office by:

• Making sure that rooms are properly cleaned, dusted, and vacuumed on a regular basis. Preferably weekly.

• Changing filters on Air Conditioning Systems regularly

• Using non toxic cleaning agents

• Keeping plants!

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If you are returning to the office after a while away, it might be worth having your air conditioning checked to ensure that you are opening safely. This is, of course, essential to the wellbeing of your employees, and it makes sure you are operating with compliance to the law.

Our team at Air Conditioning Direct will likely be able to help you. Give us a call on 020 8989 8989, or fill in our handy contact form and we will be in touch.

The post Is Air Conditioning Safe To Use During the Covid-19 Pandemic? appeared first on Air Conditioning Direct.

Solar Panels Provide Renewable Energy

One of the biggest appeals of solar panels is their ability to provide a renewable source of energy. The world’s supply of fossil fuels is finite, with many predicting that gas and oil will be completely depleted in just over 50 years if we continue to burn them at such a high rate. Indeed, it’s thought that 4 billion tonnes of crude oil are consumed each year.

Solar panels harness the power of the sun to provide energy, and will do until the sun burns itself out. It’s likely that humanity as we know it will be long gone before then, so there’s nothing to worry about there! Installing solar panels on your property ensures that you are helping to solve the climate crisis and means you are not contributing to the depletion of natural resources.

Solar Panels Are Emission Free

Not only are fossil fuels running out, but they also cause enormous harm to the environment. We’ve all heard of the greenhouse effect and holes in the ozone layer, but these issues are no longer an apocalyptic fantasy. The polar ice caps are melting at a record rate, and the world is subjected to increasingly extreme weather such as flooding and hurricanes.

The increase in emissions since the industrial revolution correlates with the increased temperature of the Earth. Furthermore, byproducts that result in the burning of fossil fuels are a danger to public health in many areas of the world.

Solar panels do not release any dangerous pollutants whatsoever, which does a world of good to both the natural and social environment.

Solar Panels Reduce Water Pollution

Many byproducts of fossil fuel consumption are dumped into the oceans which leads to catastrophic effects to these ecosystems. Water pollution leads to extinction of marine life, unclean water supplies, disruptions to the food chain (both ours and the animals’) and much, much more.

With solar panels you can rest easy with a clear conscience, knowing that you’re not adding to the desecration of our seas.

Air Conditioning Direct

We supply, fit, and maintain solar panels across London and the surrounding areas. We’ve seen many homes and businesses convert to solar energy as an investment in both renewable energy and the future of our planet.

If you’d like to find out more, give us a call on 020 8989 8989 and we’ll be happy to answer any questions and discuss the process with you. Alternatively, you can get in touch through our quick contact form and we’ll respond as soon as we can.

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