Air conditioners are often bought or used without fully understanding the design, operating principles, and components. For a cost-effective operation with lower overall costs, it is important to have the right size, selection, installation, maintenance and proper use.
There are many Best AC Brands in India, which offer advanced features based on the market demand. This publication covers both central and area air conditioners. This publication does not cover heat pumps. Heat pumps provide heating and cooling as well as home cooling. See the Related Links below for more information.
How do air conditioners work?
The basic operating principles and components of an air conditioner are the same as those in your home refrigerator. The evaporator, a cold indoor coil that cools the home, is used by an air conditioner. The condenser is a hot outdoor coil that releases heat to the outside. The condenser and evaporator coils are made of serpentine tubing with aluminum fins. Copper is often used to make this tubing.
The compressor is a pump that moves heat transfer fluid (or refrigerant), between the condenser and the evaporator. The compressor forces the refrigerant through a circuit of tubing and fins within the coils. The indoor evaporator coil pulls heat from the indoor air, and the liquid refrigerant is evaporated. The condenser receives the hot refrigerant gas from outside. It then reverts to liquid, giving up heat to the air passing over its fins and metal tubing.
Comfortable and energy-efficient air conditioning
This factsheet will give you information about how to make your air conditioner more efficient. You can view the illustrations by downloading the PDF version (PDF 233 KB) of this factsheet (Download Acrobat reader). You can find additional publications on similar topics at the Related Links section.
Do you want to buy a new air conditioner or are you already considering it? Are you unhappy with your current air conditioner’s performance? Do you have questions about whether it is worth fixing or replacing? Are you worried about your summer utility bills? This publication is for you if you answered yes to any one of these questions. This publication will help you learn about different air conditioning systems, how to maintain them, hire professionals who can install your new conditioner properly, and what they cost.
Most of the countries have made it mandatory for the brands to produce only energy efficient air conditioners because it helps the user to save energy and money at the same time. It is highly recommended for the user to pick an AC that has a better energy efficiency rating because it helps in saving the planet and to use an eco-friendly product from time to time.
EER – Energy Efficiency Rating
The range of room air conditioners is generally between 5,500 Btu an hour and 14,000 Btu an hour. According to national appliance standards, room conditioners that were installed after January 1, 1990 must have an EER greater than 8.0. If you live in a mild environment, choose a room conditioner with an EER at least 9.0. Choose an air conditioner with an EER of at least 9.0 if you live in a hot environment.
New Voltas air conditioners that have higher SEERs or EERs generally come with higher prices. The higher initial cost of an efficient model will pay off many times over its lifetime. You may be able to get a price reduction from your utility company for purchasing an efficient air conditioner. If you are a frequent user of an air conditioner or think you will, you should consider purchasing the most efficient one you can afford.
Types of air conditioners
There are three basic types of air conditioners: room air conditioners; split-system central AC conditioners; and packaged central AC conditioners. Air Conditioners are available in plenty, but finding the best product always plays a vital role because it allows them to be used for a long span of time without hassles.
Room air conditioners
Cooling rooms is more important than cooling the whole house with room air conditioners. Room air conditioners can be more cost-effective than central units if they only provide cooling where it’s needed.
You can plug smaller room air conditioners (i.e. those that draw less than 7.5 amps) into any 15- to 20-amp, 120-volt household circuit. This circuit must not be shared with other major appliances. Larger room conditioners (i.e. those that draw more than 7.5amps) require their own dedicated circuit of 115-volt. Larger models will require a dedicated circuit of 230 volts.
Central Air Conditioners
Cool air is circulated by central air conditioners through a network of supply and return conduits. Cooled air is carried from the central air conditioner to your home by supply ducts and registers. These are openings in walls, floors or ceilings that have been covered with grills. The cooled air is heated as it circulates throughout the home. It then flows back to the central air conditioner via return ducts or registers. You can choose between a split-system or packaged central air conditioner.
An outdoor cabinet houses the compressor and condenser, while an indoor cabinet houses the evaporator. Many split-system air conditioners include an indoor cabinet that houses a furnace or heat pump. The cabinet or main supply conduit of the furnace or heat pump houses the evaporator coil. A split-system central air conditioner is best if your home has a furnace, but not an air conditioner.
A central air conditioner is a package that contains the condenser and evaporator. It can be placed on the roof or on the concrete slab near the foundation. This type of air conditioner is also used in commercial buildings. The return and supply ducts run from the outdoors through the exterior walls or roofs of the house to the packaged air conditioner. Many packaged air conditioners include either an electric heating coil or a natural gas furnace. The central heater and air conditioner can be combined to eliminate the need for an indoor furnace.
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I hope this article will help you to choose the right air conditioner for your home or office. You can also share your buying experience in the comment section.
