An air conditioner has become the necessary equipment in our daily lives. Excess heat in the home brings complications to human health and life, making air conditioners essential. Due to this, it is vital to ensure that your air conditioning unit is a valuable investment. The application of technology in air conditioning units has seen the emergence of different models and brands. This makes it difficult for homeowners to choose the best one as there are so many factors to consider. The following tips will help you buy a new AC unit and assist you in maintaining it after purchase.
Components of an Air Conditioning System
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Thermostat
This is the part that helps to maintain the temperature of the air conditioner. A thermostat regulates heat energy flowing in and out of the unit. You can set it manually or automatically for the modern models.
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Compressor
It is referred to as the system’s engine. It works together with the fluid that transforms from gas to liquid form. A compressor’s primary function is to change low-pressure gas to high-pressure gas; that is also high in temperature. During the process, energized gas is created when gap regions in the molecules narrow down, then the energized gas leaves the compressor and enters the condenser.
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Evaporator
This is placed inside the house, mostly near the furnace. The evaporator is attached to the condenser using a skinny pipe. After the high-pressure gas turns back to a low-pressure gas, it moves to the evaporator to turn into gas once more. During the process, the refrigerant or working fluid leaves the evaporator as gas for further compression by the compressor.
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Condenser Coil
A fan is fitted in the condenser coil to cool down high-pressured gas and convert it into liquid; the resulting liquid then goes to the evaporator. A condenser and compressor can be seen outside the house.
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Blowing Unit and Air Handler
The two components work in collaboration to direct air into the evaporator and distribute cold air into every part of your house. A duct system facilitates the passage of airflow inside the room.
How to prolong your Air Conditioner’s Lifespan
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Change Air Filters Regularly
An air filter full of dirt comprises the system’s efficiency; hence it should be changed once per month. This will prevent allergens, dust, and dirt from swirling around your house. An excellent way of knowing when to change the filter is writing the date you install a new one on the filter using a pencil when you can no longer see the date and replace it with a new one.
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Fix Duct Leaks Right Away
Ensure that all the ducts are properly sealed, although this is not easy as ducts are distributed throughout the house. When air flow escapes through the air ducts, it leads to an increased electricity bill. If you notice an unexplained increase in your bill, call an air conditioner repair service to check the ducts for leakages.
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Install an Automatic Timer on your Thermostat
It is not economical to fully operational air conditioner when there is no one in the house. Invest in a thermostat timer to avoid unnecessary costs but still have a cool house waiting when you return. Do not completely shut off the system; doing this will make the compressor work extra hard to start cooling your home from scratch, which will increase your power bill.
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Use Insulation Sufficient
insulation keeps cold air inside where it’s needed. You can use batting, spray foam, or rigid foam insulation.
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Regular Maintenance
Regularly maintaining your air conditioner will ensure maximum efficiency. Maintenance includes checking fans, lubricating motors, inspecting coils, and adjusting fan belts. Seek the HVAC unit specialist’s services to carry out the maintenance to verify that the system is working efficiently. Health Benefits of Air Conditioners
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Provide Better Air Quality
Air conditioners have air filters that trap dust, allergens, bacteria, and dirt. This improves indoor air quality, which helps you avoid developing colds, fatigue, coughs, and headaches. Impurities in the air can also be brought about by overheating and improper ventilation. The air conditioner controls temperature and improves ventilation in your home.
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Minimize Asthma Attacks
If any of your family members have asthma, one way to prevent asthma attacks is to breathe in clean air. Air conditioners filter dirty air containing allergens, pollutants, or dust mites and also eliminate dampness that leads to mold; these are all conditions that trigger an asthma attack. Neglecting to change air filters is recycling dirt in your air conditioner and back to your house; change the air filters every 30-60 days.
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Reduce High Humidity
The reduction of humidity in the home is one of the significant health benefits of an air conditioner. High humidity levels create dampness in the home, mold, dehydration, dust mites, and heatstroke.
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Reduce Heat Stroke and Dehydration
Dehydration is caused by excessive sweating, which is brought about by high temperatures. When you sweat without taking enough fluids, you are vulnerable to dehydration. On the other hand, you can suffer a heat stroke when your body overheats due to high indoor temperature. These two conditions are preventable through the use of an air conditioner. Cold air produced by the unit will minimize sweating and lower body temperature.
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Better Sleep
When your home’s indoor temperatures are high, it becomes difficult to have a good night’s sleep. You will spend the night tossing and turning, looking for cold air to bring down your body heat. Lack of enough sleep will affect your productivity at work as you will be grumpy and tired. Use an air conditioner to maintain cold temperatures while you sleep for a calm and more restful sleep.
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Prevents Overheating of Electronics
Apart from our bodies, household electrical appliances and electronics also overheat due to their nature of the operation. Overheating can damage your electronics by shortening their lifespan or cause them to lose data. An air conditioner in the home will prevent this from happening.