Understanding Air Conditioning: A Homeowner's Guide

This guide will give you the basics about AC systems, types of AC systems, and how as an owner you can maintain them and keep them efficient and long lasting.

How Air Conditioning Systems Work

The fundamental principle of air conditioning is very simple, yet extremely elegant. Air conditioners work on the evaporation and condensation cycle of a refrigerant, which is a special substance that converts from gas to liquid at convenient ambient conditions. Three units make up the equipment of an air conditioner: the compressor, the condenser and the evaporator.

Types of Air Conditioning Systems

• Split Systems: These, comprised of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, connected by pipes through which the refrigerant passes, are best suited for individual rooms.
• Multi-Split Systems: Similar to split systems, they connect multiple indoor units to one outdoor unit, but each one can be individually controlled so that different rooms can have different temperatures.
• Ducted Systems: If you happen to be in a large home, go for this one. It uses a central unit and a series of ducts running along your walls and floors to deliver cool air to its destination.
• Portable Units: Free standing units that can be taken from room to room and are convenient for providing air conditioning on a temporary basis.

Essential Maintenance Tips

Routine maintenance is crucial for ensuring that your air conditioning system runs efficiently:

• Change Filters: This is the easiest and most effective thing you can do to maintain airflow and keep the system operating efficiently. Replace or clean filters every one to three months, depending on usage.
• Clean the Condenser and Evaporator Coils: Dirty coils reduce the system’s ability to cool your home and can cause the system to run longer, increasing energy usage. Check these out annually.
• Seal and insulate windows, doors and air ducts to prevent seepage of cool air.
• Periodic maintenance by a professional: Get a certified technician to come out each year to check the refrigerant level, test for leaks, and inspect electrical connections.

Optimizing Energy Efficiency

Boost efficiency of your air-conditioners to decrease environmental impact, but also to reduce the financial impact of your bills.

• Tune up your SEER Rating – newer air conditioners with higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratios are more efficient.
• Smart Thermostats: Program in a schedule according to your routine and the room temperature doesn’t needlessly shift.
• Fans: Ceiling fans can circulate your air conditioning more effectively, creating a cooler feeling at a higher temperature.

Closing Thoughts

In conclusion, you can enjoy the full benefits of your air conditioning as well as your money once you have the proper knowledge on how to run and maintain it. Properly maintained AC can keep your home cooler and longer, provided you take good care of your AC unit. Also, your unit helps to maintain your home as healthy as possible with its regulation of humidity and temperature, a must for a healthy home.