Air conditioning is a system that introduces cold air into a hot space to make it more comfortable. Air conditioning typically is used when temperatures are above 70 degrees. It is used in cars, houses, offices, retail stores, restaurants, and other indoor facilities. Unlike heat, air conditioning is considered a luxury, and it is possible to go without it. Heat is considered to be a necessity and all homes must have it. When heat warnings exist, however, lack of air conditioning can present a problem for many elderly people who may live in older brick homes. Without air conditioning, these types of homes literally turn into an oven at a certain temperatures and can cause death.
Alternatives to air conditioning are fans, either electric or hand held, or open windows. Air conditioning is used primarily in the summer when temperatures are higher. Therefore electric bills are usually higher in the summer months. Many electric companies offer budget billing, which balances out the high and low bills into a constant monthly payment. Budget billing is based on usage and may gradually increase over time as usage goes up.
There are two types of air conditioners that are primarily used in homes. Window style units are placed in a window. Window air conditioning mainly cools the room that they are placed in. More expensive units may cool off more of the surrounding rooms. Window air conditioners run on electricity. They are placed in windows because the heat in the room is passed outside and swapped with the cold air coming in. Alternatives to window air conditioning units are wall air conditioners, which do not need to be placed in a window. Window units are more common in older homes.
New construction typically has central air conditioning built in. Central air conditioning runs the air throughout the entire house with the actual unit located outside. A thermostat controls the temperatures of the house. Older thermostats need to be changed manually to the desired temperature. Newer thermostats are programmable. Temperature settings can be programmed to change at certain times of the day. This can help lower electric bills by allowing the house to be warmer when the house is empty. Running central air conditioning uses a lot of electricity but it is generally more energy efficient than window air conditioning. Many older homes use either window units or have no air conditioning at all.
Air conditioning is available in most new cars today as well. In extreme heat, air conditioning provides considerable comfort on a long car ride. In cars operating without air conditioning, one can roll the windows down to let wind blow in. Wind, however, is not as comfortable, and can be noisy, especially if driving on the highway. After a period of time, air conditioning may not work as well. Sometimes recharging the freon gas will help improve performance. Other times, the air conditioning may need more extensive costly repair work. Many times people will choose not to fix the air conditioning in their cars when the cost outweighs the remaining value of the car.
With new technology comes improvements to air conditioning systems. As time goes on, air conditioners will become more energy efficient.
Michael Russell
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Maintainence Of The Air Conditioner
An air conditioner is one of the most beneficial inventions of the modern world. It gives you peace during hot summer days and keeps you away from the devastating heat. These machines are very useful but they are not cheap. You have to give a good price for the machine.
This also calls for attention to the matter that you have to take good care of the air conditioner and undertake periodic maintenance, so that your machine continues to work in the best condition for a long time. No one is looking to buy an air conditioner every year and neither are you. Therefore you must know the maintenance methods for keeping your air condition in a healthy state.
The maintenance aspects are normally neglected by the owners. Air conditioners are well built machines. This also deceives the owners. During the time the machine is throwing cool air they think that all is fine. But they are not aware of the fact that their air conditioner is losing its efficiency every year.
It must be known that if you do not undertake maintenance of the air conditioner, it will lose 5% of its efficiency every year. It is immaterial that the air conditioner is giving cool air or not, the efficiency will be decreased. Every air conditioner has a rated capacity. Good air conditioners normally work for 15 years effectively and in some cases, even more. If you carry out routine maintenance of the air conditioner, there are all the chances that the air conditioner will continue to work at its rated capacity through out its life.
Normally, you should perform checks on the air conditioner a little before the due time. How can you perform the maintenance of your air conditioner? The first check that you should perform is general observation check. You must look for any leaks or unusual sounds and also check for the proper drainage of the condenser tube.
Second, check the filters for cleanliness. If the filters are dirty, the air conditioner running will be uneconomical and troublesome. So you must clean the filters every month so that your air conditioner gives you the optimum performance. You must also clean the air vents and registers. Next in line is the cleaning of the compressor. The compressor should be cleaned from the outside with a hose, so that the dust does not effect in the operation of the air conditioner. When the air conditioner is not in use during the winter months, you must cover the compressor.
You can take care of the normal maintenance aspects of the air conditioner but for complicated things like tune ups, you will have to get help from professional technicians. You must get a technician to perform a tune up because it is very necessary to rejuvenate the energies of the air conditioner. Normally, a tune up will cost around $50 to $100. Besides all this, ensure that you do not mishandle your air conditioner during installation, switching on and off, etc. If you take proper care of your unit, it will give you the best service throughout its life.
This also calls for attention to the matter that you have to take good care of the air conditioner and undertake periodic maintenance, so that your machine continues to work in the best condition for a long time. No one is looking to buy an air conditioner every year and neither are you. Therefore you must know the maintenance methods for keeping your air condition in a healthy state.
The maintenance aspects are normally neglected by the owners. Air conditioners are well built machines. This also deceives the owners. During the time the machine is throwing cool air they think that all is fine. But they are not aware of the fact that their air conditioner is losing its efficiency every year.
It must be known that if you do not undertake maintenance of the air conditioner, it will lose 5% of its efficiency every year. It is immaterial that the air conditioner is giving cool air or not, the efficiency will be decreased. Every air conditioner has a rated capacity. Good air conditioners normally work for 15 years effectively and in some cases, even more. If you carry out routine maintenance of the air conditioner, there are all the chances that the air conditioner will continue to work at its rated capacity through out its life.
Normally, you should perform checks on the air conditioner a little before the due time. How can you perform the maintenance of your air conditioner? The first check that you should perform is general observation check. You must look for any leaks or unusual sounds and also check for the proper drainage of the condenser tube.
Second, check the filters for cleanliness. If the filters are dirty, the air conditioner running will be uneconomical and troublesome. So you must clean the filters every month so that your air conditioner gives you the optimum performance. You must also clean the air vents and registers. Next in line is the cleaning of the compressor. The compressor should be cleaned from the outside with a hose, so that the dust does not effect in the operation of the air conditioner. When the air conditioner is not in use during the winter months, you must cover the compressor.
You can take care of the normal maintenance aspects of the air conditioner but for complicated things like tune ups, you will have to get help from professional technicians. You must get a technician to perform a tune up because it is very necessary to rejuvenate the energies of the air conditioner. Normally, a tune up will cost around $50 to $100. Besides all this, ensure that you do not mishandle your air conditioner during installation, switching on and off, etc. If you take proper care of your unit, it will give you the best service throughout its life.
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