I will adopt two approaches, One will be a general guide while the other will be a focus on Africa and every other continent with hot temperatures/climate. Generally, a feature-loaded air conditioning system is capable of dehumidifying, blowing cool air, blowing hot, killing insects, and deodorizing the atmosphere where it is installed. Within the context of this guide, we shall be limiting ourselves to Portable Vs Split Air conditioners vis-a-vis types and usage.
What is an Air Conditioner/Air conditioning System?
Wikipedia defines an air conditioner as a system, device, or machine that treats the air in a defined, usually enclosed area via a refrigeration cycle in which warm air is removed and replaced with cooler and more humid air.
In construction, a complete system of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning is referred to as HVAC. Whether in homes, offices, or vehicles, its purpose is to provide comfort by altering the properties of the air, usually by cooling the air inside. The main function of the air conditioner is to change an adverse temperature.
Benefits of Using an Air Conditioning System
- A good air conditioner will save you from dust and air pollutants. It is best to have your car’s windows winded up and the AC on when passing through a smoky or dusty condition.
- Extreme heat has a clear negative impact on the intellect and physical activity and the use of air conditioning can go some way to rectifying this. It dispels the heat and brings it the cool breeze
- It improves comfort levels at work and at leisure.
- Employees’ productivity and performance on the job can receive a boost in an air-conditioned environment.
- Also, an air conditioner is capable of dehumidifying the hair within its installation enclosure.
- Talk about the fact that it can indirectly act as an Anti-theft/Anti-burglary device in houses where the windows are lowered. You need to lock your windows when using the A/C offers more privacy that can demotivate burglars/thieves.
- It can result in increased physical and intellectual activity.
- A lower temperature reduces the presence of insects and parasites.
- Lower temperatures mean less sweating, reducing the risk of dehydration.
- A clean air conditioning system helps exclude external allergens such as pollens.
- If the air conditioning installation is good, and if it is well maintained, it renews and improves air quality.
What are the Health Risks associated with an Air Conditioning System?
- First off, it can cause headaches to some people.
- Secondly, Sudden changes in temperature and humidity affect the respiratory system.
- Furthermore, it has a drying effect on the skin and mucous membranes.
- If noise pollution bothers you, some A/C especially the ones due for servicing add to ambient noise, contributing to noise pollution.
- The air circulation can transmit infectious respiratory diseases.
- Obviously, if you are allergic to extremely cold temperatures, the air conditioner is capable of giving you a cold, cough, and catarrh
- Airborne dust and fungi can cause allergic reactions.
- Air conditioning is associated with chronic rhinitis and pharyngitis, throat irritation, and hoarseness.
- Air conditioning can exacerbate eye conditions such as conjunctivitis and blepharitis, as well as cause problems for contact lens wearers.
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Factors that determine the type of Air Conditioner to be installed.
What are the various types of A/C that we have? Which one is best for my environment, home or office? I will be giving my views based on personal experience and research. You may actually have an A/C that is more powerful than the room where you install it. Similarly, you may have an air conditioner that is undersized. This guide will help you not only choose wisely but also to save some precious electricity bills.
NOTE; It is paramount to get the exact capacity of the air conditioning system for your room. How do you calculate what size (in BTU) of air conditioning capacity that will be adequate for your room? Of course, this calculation is very important because if done inappropriately, you will end up installing oversize or undersized equipment. An oversized air conditioner is not a good one as the compressor will run and stop regularly and will able to cool the room uniformly. Read the full capacity calculation from this link
How to Discover Your Ideal Air Conditioning System
Before you can accurately assess which air conditioning system will most effectively satisfy your needs, you must first figure out what your needs are. Being familiar with your home or the area you will be conditioning is essential to selecting the best AC. To reach that level of familiarity, you should confirm the information on the following factors:
- To start with, “the amount of space that needs to be air-conditioned”(I already provided a calculating technique for this)
- Secondly, The nature of the walls, whether external or internal
- Also, the total heat generated by the system is a predetermining factor.
- The energy efficiency of the air conditioning system
- The price of the system
- Your total budget
- Whether you’re renting, owning or want a permanent cooling solution or a flexible one. If you’re renting, then installing a split system is probably not allowed – so that answers your question.
Types of Air Conditioners
There are many different types of air conditioning systems available today, and each type presents its own set of positive features. Determining the best air conditioning system for your unique living condition can be somewhat tricky without the help of an HVAC Direct professional.
Window Air Conditioner
Formally known as a “unitary” air conditioning system. As the name implies, a window air conditioner is a self-contained air conditioning unit, which means that it is equipped with all of the necessary components such as the condenser, compressor, expansion valve, etc. While window air conditioners are usually placed on top of the window frame, they can be placed in a properly measured hole in an exterior wall, though this is not recommended. Window air conditioners are commonly used for single rooms.
Through-the-Wall Air Conditioners
Through-the-wall air conditioners are very much similar to window air conditioners. Their purpose is to condition the air from within a chassis sleeve in a wall, but the design, cooling capacity, and weight differ from window air conditioners.
Through-the-wall air conditioners often weigh slightly more, and have higher cooling capacities than window AC units. In addition, they can achieve a more polished appearance by being installed flush with the wall. In order to preserve their efficiency, through-the-wall units do not have venting mechanisms on both sides of the house.
Portable Air Conditioners
By comparison, Another example of a unitary air conditioning system is the portable air conditioner. It consists of a mobile, self-contained air conditioning unit that is freestanding on the floor. Portable air conditioners function in a similar manner to window air conditioners. They pull in fresh air, remove the heat, and then disperse the cool air to space. The exhaust heat is then discharged through a window or hose vent. Almost all portable air conditioner includes a window kit and exhaust accessories.
Portable air conditioners are capable of cooling rooms under five hundred square feet, and they work especially well when paired with central air conditioning to keep excessively warm rooms cool.
Central Air Conditioner
Central air conditioning systems are considered the superior choice for residential spaces for several reasons. Their improved technology and efficiency render central air conditioning systems the most comfortable, best-performing, and quietest air conditioning options available. Central A/C systems include two different units that are connected by refrigerant tubing. The condensing unit is a large part of the exterior of the house and holds the compressor and condensing coils and fan. The evaporating unit holds the evaporator coil and expansion valve.
Every central air conditioning system needs these two components to function, but every central air conditioning system also needs to be appropriately sized for your home. If your central AC is too large, it may short cycle, fail to dehumidify, and sacrifice efficiency. Determining the best size for your central air conditioning system requires the help of an HVAC professional. Alternatively, you can manually do the calculation of the approximate size you will need in your living situation via this link.
Ductless Mini-Split System Air Conditioners
Ductless mini-split systems are not self-contained but instead consist of two parts. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit. The larger outdoor unit contains the condenser, compressor, and expansion valve, while one or more indoor units when strategically placed, blow air to the exact rooms you want to be heated or cooled. These efficient units take up much less space and make much less noise than window units.
Also, ductless mini-split systems can be installed in any room in a variety of ways: on the wall, on the ceiling, or even on the floor using a stand-up model. All you need to use these systems is a small hole in the wall through which the insulated conduit that holds the refrigeration line can run from the outside unit to the indoor blowing systems. These independent blowing systems can be controlled separately, and therefore, ductless mini-split system air conditioners supply quiet, convenient cooling to many spaces within your home. This is one of the commonest Air conditioners in homes.
Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners
Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners, or PTACs, are similar to ductless split air conditioners. They are similar in the sense that they both use two distinct units connected by a tube of refrigerant. The outdoor unit of a PTAC combines the compressor, condenser, and condenser fan and is usually placed on the roof or a concrete slab near the foundation. The indoor unit handles the evaporative process with the fan, expansion valve, and evaporator coil.
PTACs are considered commercial-grade AC models and are most often found in hotels and offices. However, they can also be used in sunrooms and other residential spaces. Usually, they are installed through an external wall just above the floor and right under the window, and when combined with a natural gas furnace or set of heating coils, they can fill in for a separate furnace.
Floor-standing air conditioning system
Floor Standing Air Conditioners. This is a floor-standing type that blends in perfectly with the surrounding decor. Clean and fresh air conditioning is ensured with a high level of cooling performance and air purifying operation. This is more suited for areas or halls where many people are present all at once. It has a high cooling capacity
Industrial Air conditioning system
Finally, we have the most powerful type of air conditioning system which is the “industrial Air conditioning system”. It is mostly used in big shopping malls with high roofs and factories. To put it straight, it is more efficient than floor standing and it has a higher cooling effect than the floor standing system.
Portable Vs Split Air Conditioners: The Pros and Cons
If you’re still sweating over which air conditioner to buy, then consider this quick rundown on the pros and cons of each type.
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Split System AC |
· Can handle larger spaces
|
· Can be expensive to buy, run and install· Ongoing maintenance required
· A permanent, inflexible cooling/heating solution · Outside condenser can be ugly and large |
| Portable AC | · Often cheaper unit cost· Easy to buy, lift, transport home and round the house
· Can be stored when not in use |
· Can be heavy for their size – 20kg or more!· Can be noisy for their size
· In relation to their size, efficiency, and power often lack · Floor space is taken up |
CONCLUSION
Obviously, an air conditioning system is preferable to a fan. However, you must take into cognizance the fact that it comes with its attended increase in electricity bills. To get the best value for your money using an air conditioner, you must get the right size using the parameters above. Currently, as it stands, the most commonly used air conditioners are the portable and the split system. you can see their pros and cons below.
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