As temperatures soar, and we learn how to cope with hotter days, our minds naturally turn to ways to keep cool.
Keeping cold drinks ready and waiting in the fridge and having your fan on standby can take you so far, but to really keep a room cool in the blistering heat, you need an air conditioning unit.
While keeping cool is one of its main functions, a modern air conditioning system can do much more than lower the temperature.
What Does an Air Conditioning Unit Actually Do?
Depending on the system you choose, air conditioning can:
- Cool an indoor space
- Provide energy-efficient heating
- Reduce excess humidity
- Filter dust and other particles from circulating air
- Improve air movement
- Maintain a consistent indoor temperature
- Protect temperature-sensitive equipment
However, the performance of any air conditioning system depends on choosing the correct type and capacity for the building.
The size of the rooms, number of occupants, operating hours, heat-producing equipment and condition of the property are all factors that need to be seriously considered.
In this helpful guide, we’ll explain what air conditioning does, how air conditioning units work, what size system you may need, how much installation can cost and how often your equipment should be serviced, helping you not only beat the heat, but also enjoy a host of other benefits too.
What Is Air Conditioning?
Air conditioning manages, or conditions, the air inside a room or building.
It does this by controlling its temperature and, depending on the system, reducing humidity and filtering the air as it circulates.
The exact role your air conditioning unit will play depends on where the system is installed.
In an office, air conditioning can maintain a comfortable working temperature throughout the day. For shops or restaurants, it can help create a more pleasant environment for customers and employees. While in a server room, it may be essential to prevent sensitive equipment from overheating, which can cause costly damage.
Air conditioning can also be used in homes, schools, hotels, warehouses, leisure facilities and many other environments.
Does Air Conditioning Only Cool a Room?
Many modern air conditioning systems can both cool and heat a space.
These systems operate as air-to-air heat pumps. During warmer weather, they transfer heat from inside the building to the outdoor air.
When heating is required, the process is reversed, allowing the system to take heat energy from outside and transfer it indoors.
This provides one system that can help maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the year.
Does Air Conditioning Improve Air Quality?
Air conditioning can help improve the cleanliness of the air circulating through a building by passing it through filters.
These filters can capture dust, fibres and certain other airborne particles that can cause coughing, sneezing and irritated airways in the short run, and more troublingly, respiratory problems such as asthma and COPD in the long run.
However, air conditioning and ventilation are not the same thing.
Many air conditioning systems recirculate the air already inside a room rather than introducing fresh outdoor air.
Where fresh-air supply, moisture control or the removal of stale air is required, a properly designed ventilation system may also be needed.
The right solution for many, especially businesses such as offices or shops where people may be sitting all day, is a mix of air conditioning and ventilation to provide effective temperature control as well as a healthy, comfortable environment.
Does Air Conditioning Reduce Humidity?
As warm air passes over the cold coil inside an air conditioning unit, moisture in the air can condense and be drained away.
Reducing excessive humidity can make a room feel more comfortable, even without a dramatic change in temperature. It can also help limit problems associated with high moisture levels, such as condensation and damp.
How Air Conditioning Cools a Room
When an air conditioning unit is cooling a room, the process generally works as follows:
- Warm indoor air enters the unit.
- A fan draws air from the room into the indoor unit.
- Heat is absorbed.
- The warm air passes over a cold evaporator coil. Refrigerant inside the coil absorbs heat from the air.
- Cooler air returns to the room.
- Once heat has been removed, the system circulates the conditioned air back into the space.
- The refrigerant carries the heat outside.
- The warmed refrigerant moves to the outdoor unit.
- The heat is released.
- The condenser transfers the collected heat into the outdoor air.
- The cycle begins again.
- The refrigerant returns to the indoor unit so the process can continue until the required temperature is reached.
When a reversible system is used for heating, this cycle operates in the opposite direction.
What Types of Air Conditioning Are Available?
There is no single air conditioning system that will be right for every home or business. We supply and install a range of options, including:
Wall-Mounted Systems
Wall-mounted units are a popular choice for individual rooms, smaller offices, shops and domestic properties. They provide effective heating and cooling without taking up floor space.
Floor-Mounted Systems
A floor-mounted unit can be useful where the walls or ceiling are not suitable for installation. Its accessible position can also make routine cleaning and maintenance straightforward.
Cassette Systems
Cassette units are normally fitted into a suspended ceiling and distribute conditioned air in several directions. They are often used in offices, shops and hospitality environments where even air distribution is important.
Ducted Air Conditioning
A ducted system distributes air through concealed ductwork and discreet grilles. It can provide consistent climate control across larger rooms or several different areas while keeping most of the equipment out of sight.
Split and Multi-Split Systems
A single-split system connects one indoor unit to one outdoor unit. A multi-split system allows several indoor units to connect to one outdoor unit, making it possible to control multiple rooms without installing a separate outdoor unit for each one.
VRF and VRV Systems
Variable Refrigerant Flow systems are designed for larger commercial properties, such as schools and universities, with several rooms or temperature zones. They offer flexible, precise control and can be adapted to complex building layouts.
What Size Air Conditioning Unit Do I Need?
When discussing air conditioning size, we are generally referring to the system’s heating or cooling capacity rather than its physical dimensions.
Capacity is normally measured in kilowatts, or kW. You may also see air conditioning capacity described in British Thermal Units, or BTUs.
A larger room will usually require more capacity than a small room, but floor area alone is not enough to determine the correct size.
A professional assessment should also consider:
- The room’s dimensions and ceiling height
- The number and size of windows
- The direction the windows face
- Levels of sunlight throughout the day
- The building’s age and insulation
- The number of people regularly using the room
- Computer rooms, machinery and other heat-producing equipment
- Lighting
- Normal operating hours
- The purpose of the room
- Existing heating and ventilation
- The number of separate rooms or temperature zones
For example, two rooms of exactly the same size may have very different cooling requirements. A quiet meeting room used occasionally will produce less heat than an office containing several employees, computers and monitors throughout the working day.
Our extensive in-house team of knowledgeable, experienced, highly trained and fully accredited professionals will help guide you to find the right size and set-up for your home or business.
How Much Does It Cost to Install Air Conditioning?
The cost of installing air conditioning depends on the equipment required and the complexity of the project.
As a general guide,
- Freestanding air conditioning units can start from around £500
- Fixed air conditioning systems can start from around £1,200
- Ducted air conditioning installations can start from around £2,000
These are starting figures rather than fixed quotations. With Airkool you no longer have to simply long for cooler days. Take control of your temperature at home and at work!
As well as installation costs, as a general rule, a fixed air conditioning system should be professionally serviced and maintained at least once a year to ensure everything is running smoothly. Alongside our extended warranties of up to 10 years, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your investment is being protected. If you’re unsure whether your air conditioning unit is ready to be serviced, read our handy blog on 7 signs your air conditioner needs maintenance.
Final Thoughts on Choosing the Right Air Conditioning System
The best air conditioning system is not necessarily the largest or most expensive option. It is the system that provides reliable temperature control while matching the building, its occupants and the way each space is used.
Installing an air conditioning unit in your home and business is the perfect way to avoid hot and sticky days, regulate temperature, control air flow and ensure your space is cool, comfortable and a healthy place to be. So, get in touch for a quote today, or simply chat with one of our expert advisors on 01482 371888 or email info@airkool.com. We offer no-pressure, expert advice for both domestic and commercial properties.
