What Is Air Conditioning?
Air conditioning is a home cooling system that works by removing heat from the air in your building. ACs use ducts to circulate the cool air.
ACs can be expensive to buy and run. However, some brands like Trane offer features such as internet-accessible thermostats and remote monitoring to help keep your home cool.
What is an Air Conditioner?
Air conditioning is a system that alters the temperature, humidity and air cleanliness in indoor living spaces. It also moves this air from one space to another through ducting. Air conditioners come in many different sizes and shapes to accommodate today’s new tiny homes and 30,000 square foot estates but all are designed to cool your home or building by taking the heat out of the air. This process is accomplished by evaporating and condensing a chemical called refrigerant. The warm air is blown over the evaporator coils where it is cooled and the hot vaporized refrigerant is then moved to the compressor where it is heated and turned back into a liquid. This heat is then pushed outdoors through the condenser coil.
This cycle repeats itself over and over dehumidifier again keeping your interior living space cool and comfortable while eliminating unwanted odors and humidity. The best way to ensure proper air flow and optimum cooling is to have your system professionally sized. An improperly sized air conditioner will use more energy, wear out faster and not dehumidify your home effectively.
There are three primary types of residential air conditioning systems – central, packaged and ductless. Central air conditioners cool entire homes by forcing conditioned air through the duct system and out through vents much like the furnace pushes warm air through a heating duct system in the winter. Packaged air conditioners contain both the compressor and condenser in an outdoor unit. Split-system air conditioners have separate indoor and outdoor units and are the most popular choice for new construction and existing homes.
How Does an Air Conditioner Work?
Air conditioning is an incredible invention that has expanded indoor living comfort in countless ways since it was first developed by Willis Carrier back in the 1900s. Today’s AC systems may come in different shapes and sizes for homes, offices, malls and more but they all operate on the same principle – heat moves to colder areas or objects. Air conditioners use a simple, yet effective, system of fans to pump warmed or cooled air throughout a building.
To do this they rely on the second law of thermodynamics. The basic idea is that heat moves from hot areas to cooler ones – that’s how water boils when you cook it. Air conditioners take advantage of this natural phenomenon by using a specialized fluid called refrigerant to carry heat from indoors to outdoors and back again.
The system works by having the refrigerant in a gaseous state move through the evaporator coil where it is blown by an indoor fan. As the air moves over the coils it absorbs the heat from the refrigerant and changes it to a liquid. This liquid then travels to the compressor where it is compressed and changed back into a gas.
This gas then travels to the condenser coil in the outdoor unit where it is blown by another fan. The condenser coil is the part of the air conditioning that actually cools the air in your home. It does this by absorbing the heat from the air and changing it to water vapor, which it then releases into the outdoor atmosphere.
How Much Does an Air Conditioner Cost?
Air conditioning costs vary considerably depending on the type and size of the unit as well as its energy efficiency. It’s important to get multiple dehumidifier vendors quotes from qualified HVAC professionals and shop around to find the best deal. You may also be able to take advantage of seasonal sales and discounts.
Air conditioner prices are typically based on the amount of cooling power they provide, measured in tons. One ton of cooling power equals 12,000 British thermal units (BTUs) per hour. A typical central AC unit is sized at 3 to 5 tons. A three-ton unit typically costs between $2,000 and $5,500 (CAD 2,732 and CAD 6,830) installed.
When shopping for an air conditioner, it’s important to consider the number of rooms you need to cool as well as any special features you might want. For example, if you have vaulted ceilings or other design elements, you might need to purchase a larger AC unit.
A new air conditioner will also likely come with a warranty, typically lasting between 5 and 10 years. Extended warranties are available as well, but they can add to the overall cost of the unit.
Many installers offer financing options, which can help make the cost of an air conditioner more manageable. However, it’s important to carefully review the terms of any financing agreements before signing on the dotted line.
How to Choose an Air Conditioner
Whether your old AC unit is broken, you’re upgrading your home, or just want to save money on energy bills, a new air conditioner is an important investment. The best way to find an air conditioning unit that fits your budget is to work with a qualified installer who can help you choose the right model for your home. This includes choosing an ENERGY STAR certified unit, which may offer rebates or tax credits up front. Another factor is the capacity of the air conditioner, which is based on the square footage of your home, its construction, and the climate. A professional can perform a load calculation that ensures the unit is properly sized for your home.
A portable air conditioner is a good choice for small to medium-sized rooms, and can be moved from room to room as needed. It works by drawing in cool air and expelling hot air through vent tubes that go out into the window. Ideally, it’s best placed on a longer wall in the room, rather than directly against the window.
A central air conditioning system is more suitable for larger homes, and is typically installed in newer or new-build homes. It is a more expensive option because it requires ducts to be installed throughout the home, which can be a large job in older homes and require cutting into existing walls. This type of system has the advantage of being able to heat your home as well as cooling it, which can save you even more money on your energy bills.
