How does air conditioning work?
Air conditioning systems work by moving heat from inside your premises to the outside. In a central AC system, air is drawn into the ductwork system through the return air system. Installed in the return air ductwork is an evaporator coil. This coil is connected to the condenser, the unit that is outside your building, by copper tubing. The refrigerant is then pumped from the condenser to the evaporator coil. As the refrigerant passes through the inside of the evaporator coil, warm air from inside your building passes over the outside of the coil. Because the refrigerant is cooler than the warm air, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the air. The refrigerant is then sent outside to the condenser unit. When the warmed refrigerant is in the condenser unit it is compressed by the compressor; the compression of the refrigerant causes it to boil. As the refrigerant boils it gives off the heat it picked up from inside your premises. The refrigerant is then passed through the coil in the condenser unit where it gets cooled again and is ready to go back inside to pick up more heat from your premises.
As this whole process is going on, the temperature and relative humidity in your premises are both lowered. The relative humidity level drops because cooler air cannot hold as much moisture. As the air cools, it gives up some moisture and it gets collected in the base of the evaporator coil and is then drained away.
Who needs air conditioning?
We offer air conditioning units for Homes,offices and commercial units. We have a broad portfolio of clients, ranging from restaurants,gyms conservatories,office buidings and warehouses. We offer a bespoke and tailored solution for every project so please get in touch with us to discuss your exact requirements.
Why is my air conditioning unit not working?
The first thing to do is check the common-sense solutions to any electrical equipment you suspect is broken – has someone turned it off or changed the timer? Has there been a full or partial power cut? Are the fuses and isolators in working condition?
A very common problem is a blockage or build-up within the air filters. If the unit appears to have a power supply but isn’t functioning, then it could be this, or another fault with the system that would be very difficult to diagnose without taking a look at the equipment. Problems are usually caused by a build-up in the air filters or the development of other small mechanical faults over time that can be avoided with regular air conditioning maintenance.
Do I need to have maintenance if my equipment comes with a warranty?
You’re not technically obliged to have any maintenance, however the warranty on your equipment will usually be invalidated if you don’t keep to a maintenance schedule. If you have a breakdown, you won’t be covered, as you won’t have been taking due care of the unit. You’ll be responsible for the cost of getting it fixed.
Without regular maintenance, around every 6 months or so, air conditioning units will also last for a much shorter time. They will also run far less efficiently, therefore costing you a lot more money.
So, in short – you need maintenance to keep your warranty valid, and it will also bring down your long-term energy costs and cause you far less inconvenience to service it before it breaks or has a fault.
What is a VRV system?
The concept of the VRV (variable refrigerant volume) was developed by Daikin, who copyrighted the term – if you hear other manufacturers discuss a VRF (variable refrigerant flow) system then they are talking about technology that works on the same principles.
This type of system works by VERY precisely controlling the amount and flow of the refrigerant. This makes the temperature controls very accurate, and also dramatically reduces the ‘wasted’ efforts of the system. This makes it an extremely efficient, energy-friendly method of climate control. This type of system is highly recommended for medium/large buildings of any use.
What is an air conditioning split system?
A split system is an AC unit made up of two units — an outside unit, the compressor, and an inside air outlet unit, usually referred to as the “wall hung unit”. The two units are connected by pipes that carry refrigerant. An alternative to the standard unit is the multi-split system, which has multiple indoor units connected to a single outdoor unit. A split-system can be used for both cooling and heating.
What is a heat pump?
These work by reversing the refrigeration cycle that you see in air conditioning to provide heat instead of cooling the area. They can extract the heat from both water and air and convert it into a useable heat source that can service a building.
It's not easy to understand how a heat pump can extract heat energy, even in temperatures far below zero, and bring it inside the building to make a noticeable difference. A good example is to imagine the fridge that you have in your kitchen - the grilles in the back get very warm from the heat that is extracted from inside of the fridge.
What is an inverter?
An air conditioning system with an inverter continuously adjusts its cooling and heating output to suit the temperature in the room, thus improving comfort levels. The inverter reduces system start-up time, so the required room temperature is reached more quickly. As soon as the correct temperature is reached, the inverter ensures that it is constantly maintained.
This is a very energy efficient system, as because the inverter monitors and adjusts the ambient temperature whenever needed, energy consumption drops by 30% compared with a traditional on/off system.
How do I choose which air conditioning system I need?
Which air conditioning system you need depends on your business premises, size, occupation, purpose, the list goes on. If you’re unsure which system best suits your requirements, get in touch and speak to one of our professionals. You can complete the contact form or call us on 01424 810006.
Which systems do Airco offer?
We offer a series of different services, ranging from office air conditioning to close control room installations. We design, install, maintain and repair our units; providing the complete cooling service for our clients. For more broad information as to our service range and offering, please read our Homepage where you will see our main services and products and find more detailed areas of our website.
How often do I need to replace my air conditioning?
Air conditioners can last for more than 10 years if they’re well looked after. However, you’ll need to have your air conditioning unit serviced regularly to identify any potential issues in advance of them becoming a fault. We also advise regular cleaning and/or changing the air conditioning filters every so often to ensure maximum efficiency.
Why is my air conditioning making weird sounds?
If your unit is making strange noises, your air conditioning might need cleaning, replacing or it might be a sign of a faulty unit. The type of sounds can help indicate the exact problem with your unit, these are the most frequent types of noise. By describing it to your maintenance team, they’ll be able to resolve the issue quicker.
How much does air conditioning cost?
This depends on what system you choose, the size of your premises and more. Please contact us for a more detailed quote according to your requirements.
Why is R22 illegal?
R22 was banned under the Montreal Protocol in 2009 after experts identified that the R22 substances, when in contact with the stratosphere, caused the ozone layer to be depleted. R22 has since been replaced with new refrigerants (including the latest R32 refrigerant) and it is now illegal to install or repair units using R22 if replacement refrigerant is required, as of January 2015.
Do you cover my area?
Airco A.C Limited are based in Bexhill On Sea, but operate throughout the South East & Kent. We have been known to complete projects as far away as Manchester so feel free to get in touch with us if you’re project is further afield. If you’re based in and around East Sussex & Kent, you get the additional benefit a local company offers such as quick turnaround time for installation, repairs and maintenance.
What certifications do your engineers hold?
Airco A.C Limited are a Panasonic-Toshiba approved which means we offer extended warranties on their products (up to 5 years). We can also offer other manufacturers including Mitsubishi, and LG. We have certification from Refcom and all engineers hold skill cards
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to get in touch by filling in our contact form or you can call us on 01424 810006
Air Conditioning FAQ's
Airco A.C Limited,
Company number 07570448, Registered office address, 7, Windmill Drive, Bexhill-On- Sea, TN39 4DG