Summertime is here and even though I love the idea of staying on a beach and enjoying life under the sun, I still long for the cool nights in an air-conditioned room. Clearly, a bigger air conditioner will consume more energy than a small-sized unit. Thus, choosing the right sized air conditioning system for an apartment is crucial towards minimizing energy usage. The number of windows or rooms in a home impact the size of the air conditioner that should be installed in the house.

Thus, understanding the energy requirement of the household is important when purchasing an air conditioning unit. Some important questions must be answered.

Questions such as does the house have well-insulated walls, windows, and ceiling? Is the house properly shaded? What is the amount of heat emanating from household appliances?

The Role of Central Air Conditioning

A central conditioning system is used by most people to cool their homes. The system comprises an external condenser unit which is usually placed outside the home to expel heat and an evaporator coil above the furnace that is used to cool the air inside the house. The furnace and the air conditioner work together to provide cool air inside the home using ductwork. The association between the air condition and the furnace system allows the AC to use the furnace’s filter to provide clean air inside the house.

The Role of an Air Conditioner Condenser and Compressor

Both the condenser and compressor are parts of the AC’s external unit. The job of the compressor is to reduce or increase the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant gas. As the name implies, the condenser then condenses the hot pressurized gas. Consequently, the fan will release the heat into the atmosphere, and the refrigerant gas is returned to a liquid state to restart the process all over

Kinds of Air Conditioners

 Central air conditioners – this usually last between 15 to 20 years and it works by
circulating air via supply and return ducts.

 Window/ Room – as the name implies, the unit is installed on a window to serve one
room. This unit is commonly used by many people and it usually lasts between 10-15
years.
 Mini Split System – this type of heating and air conditioning can be used in both new
and old houses. The zoned cooling characteristics negate ductwork; making the unit
more suitable for houses with boiler systems. This type of air conditioner tends to need
replacement after 12 years.

When to replace an AC unit?

To make an informed decision on a good replacement, it is always advisable to replace an existing AC unit before it fails. If an AC unit has one or two of the characteristics listed below, a replacement is advisable. These characteristics include – operating for more than a decade, reduced efficiency, rising operating costs, or frequent refrigerant refills.

However, some units with these signs might need component repairs instead of a complete
replacement. In this case, you should contact the nearest air conditioning repair-service to clarify if a replacement or a repair is needed. If properly maintained, most air conditioning units will remain
effective for close to two decades. Conducting a yearly service can be integral towards prolonging the lifespan of an air conditioning unit because it aids the early detection of problems that can disrupt its operation.

Final Words

Servicing a heating and air conditioning system can range from replacing simple
components to investing in expensive repairs. This is because an HVAC system is an
integration of several components and a professional is needed to install, service, and repair
the unit to maintain its efficiency.