Last edited: 25th July 2024
Air conditioning is an essential part of modern living, providing comfort in our homes, offices, restaurants and more. If you’re thinking of investing in air conditioning for your home or building but want to find out a little bit more about the system, then this buyer guide from CoolEasy is here for you. With so many air conditioning systems out there, it can be difficult to identify which is the right one for you. In this blog, we’ll explain exactly how air conditioners operate, the types of air conditioners available, their features and how to select the right one for your home!
Table of Contents:
- How Does an Air Conditioning System Work?
- What is a Split System Air Conditioning Unit?
- How Does the Refrigeration Cycle Work?
- The Different Types of Air Conditioner
- What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?
- Air Conditioner Features
- What to Look for When Buying an Air Conditioner
- CoolEasy, Leading Air Conditioner Suppliers
How Does an Air Conditioning System Work?
Air conditioning systems work by removing heat and moisture from the air, which is then cycled back through the indoor united as cool air. This cycle continues until the room reaches the desired temperature, then continues to maintain the room temperature until the parameters are changed or the system is switched off.
Modern air conditioning systems make use of inverter technologies to ensure the system continues to run, while using the minimum energy required, making running the system as affordable as possible!
An air conditioner is in essence, a refrigerator without the insulated box covering its parts. It uses the evaporation of a refrigerant to provide cooling or heating as required. The mechanics of the evaporation cycle are the same in a refrigerator as they are in an air conditioning unit/system.
What is a Split System Air Conditioning Unit?
A split system has an inside unit and an outside unit, connected via refrigerant hoses and electrical cable. The indoor unit also has a hose to take away the condensate generated during operation in cooling mode. The great advantage of a split system (whether that’s single or multi splits) is that they are also heat pumps (most modern systems anyway) and can provide exceptional warmth to the desired area during the cooler months.
That makes air conditioning the perfect product for year round climate control, while the inverter keeps the system operating at highly economic performance levels.
How Does the Refrigeration Cycle Work?
The refrigeration cycle is responsible for cooling and dehumidifying indoor air. When you walk into a building on a hot summer day and feel the refreshing cold air, it's all thanks to this process. But how does it work? Let's take a closer look!
- Evaporation - The refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air as it passes through the evaporator coil, turning from a liquid into a gas.
- Compression: The compressor pumps the refrigerant to increase its pressure and temperature.
- Condensation: The high-pressure, high-temperature gas releases its heat to the outside air through the condenser coil, reverting to a liquid state.
- Expansion: The refrigerant flows through an expansion valve, reducing its pressure and temperature, making it ready to absorb heat again.
For this type of system to operate correctly, air flow is essential for both the indoor and outdoor units. Without the correct amount of space around and in front of the units (the outside especially) the system will never reach its peak temperature capabilities in either cooling or heating modes.
The Different Types of Air Conditioner
Now that we have explained how air conditioning systems work, you might be wondering what the different types are. Take a look below!
Single Split System Air Conditioning
A single split air conditioning system consists of one indoor unit connected to one outdoor unit. This unit is a common choice for cooling or heating a single room or a specific area within a building. There are a number of different air con types that fit under the umbrella of ‘single split systems’, including; easy-fit units, ceiling cassettes, and high wall mounted air conditioning. Take a look at our range of single split air conditioning units here!
Multi Split System Air Conditioning
A multi split air conditioning system connects multiple indoor units to a single outdoor unit. This system is suitable for cooling or heating multiple rooms or large spaces within a building. Read our multi split air conditioning system buyer’s guide to find out more!
Portable Air Conditioning
As the name suggests, portable air conditioners are units that can be moved and placed in various areas in a building. They operate in the same way as traditional air conditioning units, but they are particularly useful in situations where permanent installation isn’t possible. Portable air conditioners can be moved around, however they still need to have a hose coming from back of the unit.
Looking for some more information on this air conditioner unit? Take a look at our portable air conditioning buyer guide here!
What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?
Air conditioners are available in a range of different sizes that are suitable for different spaces and environments. Choosing the right size air conditioner for your space is essential for efficient cooling and energy savings, so it’s important that you know which is the right size for you! Essentially, the size of an air conditioners is measured in BTUs. But what are BTUs for air conditioners? BTU is short for British Thermal Unit, which is a unit of measurement to show how much energy an air conditioner uses to remove heat from your home within an hour. A common rule of thumb is to have 20 BTUs per square foot of space. However, other factors such as ceiling height, insulation, and sunlight exposure also play a role.
Take a look at our table below to show the different air conditioner sizes!
|
Power Output |
Room Size (up to) (approx) |
||
|
kW |
Btu |
Square metres (m²) |
Square foot (ft²) |
|
1.5 |
5000 |
12 |
120 |
|
2.0 |
7000 |
16 |
160 |
|
2.5 |
9000 |
20 |
200 |
|
3.5 |
12,000 |
30 |
300 |
|
4.5 |
15,000 |
40 |
400 |
|
5.0 |
18,000 |
45 |
450 |
|
6.2 |
21,000 |
50 |
500 |
|
7.0 |
24,000 |
55 |
545 |
|
8.0 |
27,000 |
65 |
645 |
|
10.0 |
34,000 |
80 |
800 |
|
12.5 |
43,000 |
100 |
990 |
|
14.0 |
48,000 |
110 |
1090 |
Air Conditioner Features
Modern air conditioners aren’t just about cooling the air, but they are also available with a wide range of features that are designed to enhance comfort, improve energy efficiency and integrate with smart home systems. For instance, some air conditioners are equipped with programmable timers, meaning that you’re able to set the unit to turn on or off at specific times. Some air conditioning units can also be controlled by remote controls and smartphone apps, allowing you to adjust the temperature, fan speed and other settings from anywhere. These modern air conditioners can also improve indoor air quality by removing dust and allergens.
What to Look for When Buying an Air Conditioner
There are a number of things that need to be taken into consideration when buying an air conditioner. Here’s what you should look for when investing in an air conditioner!
- Energy Efficiency - Look for the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings. Having a high score indicates that the system is energy efficient, saving you money on your heating bills.
- Capacity – As mentioned earlier, it’s important to look at the BTU of the system. An undersized unit won't cool efficiently, while an oversized unit will cycle on and off too frequently, wasting energy and failing to dehumidify properly.
- Installation Requirements – Before selecting an air conditioning unit, it’s important to consider how the system is going to be installed. Although there are DIY Air Conditioners that can be installed yourself, others require professional installation. For instance split system air conditioning units must be installed by F-Gas Registered Engineers. If you need in assistance in locating a local engineer, get in touch with our team!
- Warranty - A good warranty can save you money on repairs and give you peace of mind. With that in mind, it’s recommended that you look for units with comprehensive warranties covering parts and labour for an extended period.
CoolEasy, Leading Air Conditioner Suppliers
At CoolEasy, we’re proud to say that we stock a wide range of air conditioning systems from some of the top manufacturers, including Samsung and LG. Whether you’re after an air conditioning system for your bedroom, kitchen or office, we’ve got the right product for you! With free delivery on all of our air conditioning units, you can rely on us to provide you with a high-quality service. Get in touch with our team today for more details.