Air Conditioners Types and their Advantages
With summer fast approaching, the constant barrage of oppressive heat and humidity will soon be a daily routine. In order to combat this weather phenomenon, you'll need an air conditioner to reduce your body temperature. The vast amount of different types of ACs available on the market can make it difficult to understand which one is best for you. This post will go over some of the more common types, as well as their benefits and drawbacks.
*The Basics*
Air conditioners generally fall into two categories: central air conditioning systems (which work by circulating cool air through a system that connects all the rooms in your house) or window units (which only cool one room at a time). Both types operate by the same principle. The AC unit pumps coolants into coils and through those coils, the coolants evaporate. The evaporation process absorbs the heat from the room and the cooled coolants are then pumped back into the AC unit to be reheated.
A refrigerant is used in an AC to change states from a liquid to a gas. This is done through a process called "compression," which is achieved by forcing coolant into a smaller space under high pressure. A system that uses ammonia as a refrigerant is called an "R-22 system. R-22 systems have been in use since July of 1941 and are the only type of AC that is currently allowed to be used in new buildings.
The following table lists the different types of air conditioners, as well as their cooling capacities, efficiency, price and ratings.
Air Conditioner Ratings
A cooling capacity rating is calculated by taking the input (the coolant) and output (the temperature) and dividing those two numbers by "TIMES" (this stands for the amount of time required to achieve equal results). Therefore, an A/C unit with a rating of 12000 BTU per hour at 100 degrees F equals 1.26 hours.
Air Conditioner Efficiency
Air conditioning efficiency is the ratio of the output of an AC to the input to that AC. For example, an air conditioner that runs off a refrigerant with an efficiency rating of 90% will only produce a 10% cooling power rating. Without getting too technical, it basically means that 90% of the energy supplied by the compressor is being used to cool your home and 10% is being wasted as heat.
Air Conditioner Prices
The price of ACs can vary widely depending on their size and features. A large AC can cost anywhere from $400-$1000 depending on its size and features (such as room cooling, rear-mount capabilities, etc. )
Air Conditioner Size
Central air conditioners in the U.S. are measured by their "ton" size (also known as "tonnage"). This means that a 10-ton system is able to cool a 10,000 square foot space. Air conditioners are not all the same sizes, so make sure to buy one that will adequately cool the area your house requires. [ARTICLE END]
A/C units are not just for keeping you cool during hot summer days! If you need help installing an AC unit in your home or business, please give us a call or shoot us an email for more information. Thanks for reading!
Source : http://www.horizonairconditioning.org/portal/blog/home/16641-air-conditioners-types-and-their-advantages.html#ixzz2kMZ1gHEx
Title: Air Conditioners Types and their Advantages
Posted by: Andrew Genovese at 12:04 PM No comments:
Are you looking for an air conditioner method to beat the summer heat? Air conditioners are a great way to keep your home or business cool, and this article will help you understand which of the many types of ACs best meet your needs.
In order to make the best purchase, you need to know what kind of air conditioner you're looking for and what it's purpose is. There's a lot of different types of air conditioners, and some are more effective than others. The two most common types are window units and central air conditioning systems (also called "ductless mini split" systems). As a general rule, window ACs are capable of cooling a large room better than a small one. Ductless mini split systems are designed for smaller spaces that can fit in an average-sized living room.No matter what type of AC you choose, all your options have their advantages and disadvantages. Let's take a look at some of the most common types and what they can do for you:
Window units: Window units, or "window ACs," can be used in any room in your home or business. These units are capable of cooling a large area, but they lack the power to cool a small room. The main advantage of window ACs is that they're easy to install. They've been around since the '70s and are incredibly affordable. Generally speaking, window ACs use fans and coils to cool homes, offices and other buildings, which means they're energy-efficient. They generate approximately 20% to 25% less heat than their central air conditioning counterparts.
Central air conditioning: Central air conditioning systems, or "central ACs," work via two connections- a furnace and a line to your home. This means that the system is capable of cooling an entire home. Central ACs are more expensive than window units, but they're also more powerful and can cool large spaces with ease. They offer traditional features such as thermostats and humidifiers, which are often found in window units. However, ceiling fans are not included in this type of system…
Ductless mini split: Ductless mini split systems were created to meet the needs of smaller homes by incorporating central AC technology into ductless minisplit systems. This technology allows for the use of a line inside the home, thus eliminating the need for a separate furnace. Ductless mini split systems are also efficient and can reduce your energy bills significantly. As a result, these systems are ideal for larger homes that don't require a central air conditioning system within their structure. [ARTICLE END]
Source : http://www.horizonairconditioning.org/portal/blog/home/16641-air-conditioners-types-and-their-advantages.
Conclusion
Air conditioners are important in every household. However, not everybody has the money to buy an air conditioning unit. A lot of people opt for window unit air conditioners, which are cheaper and easy to install. On the other hand, central air conditioners are more effective than window units but they can be expensive, especially for those who have a big house. If you're living in a tropical country or you're planning to move into one, it's best that you invest on a better and more effective air conditioning system that will help you keep your home cool all year long.