Air Conditioning Units

In hot and moderate climates, the temperature is only one of the challenges to living a healthy and comfortable life. Installing an air conditioning unit is essential to protect expensive belongings from the humidity that increases the growth rate of mold and mildew. When a family is at home for work, school, and play, the need for an air conditioner increases. Searching for the right unit requires some information to answer the questions associated with the unit style and cooling capability. When determining the size of the unit to be purchased, some information is required, including: health issues, length of the hottest season, and the size of the area to be cooled or climate controlled.

For people who suffer from respiratory ailments, a move to a hot, humid climate can compromise overall health and cause repeated bouts with illness. An air conditioning unit will remove allergens from the air while lowering the humidity level and stabilizing the temperature. Air conditioners remove the existing air from the room and add outdoor air, use internal fans to blow the air across cooling coils, and return cooler air to the room. Excess hot air within the unit is blown outdoors through the rear of the unit. Some units will also have Hepa filters that remove pollutants from the air and purify the air during the cooling process. Where outdoor air contains pollen and air pollutants from nearby industry, the air conditioner will provide cool air that does not contain those irritants. Portable units can be used to provide comfort to the chronically ill person, who spends time in two or three rooms.

Very hot climates with more than 90 days of temperatures above 90 degrees require larger air conditioning units that control the climate within the home. When temperatures and humidity are high for weeks on end, mold and mildew can grow on the structure and belongings, and cause dangerous mold spores to be released into the air. Central air conditioning will sustain lower humidity levels, lower the room temperature for comfortable living, and create a safe environment for belongings. Sizing the unit is very important because climate control is the objective. In cooler climates where humidity levels are naturally lower, temperature control is the objective, and window units can be used for short periods of hot weather.

Choosing the appropriate unit for the size of the area to be cooled is very important because a unit that is too large for the area will not reduce the humidity level. When the area is too large for the unit to cool efficiently, the compressor within the unit will run constantly in an effort to keep up, which will cause extensive wear on the air conditioning unit. Room shape and ceiling height play a role in assessing the air movement that is required for efficient operation. One very large room is easier to cool than three small rooms of equivalent square footage. The specifications on a window unit may claim to cool 1000 square feet, but the number of barriers within that square footage directly impacts the efficiency of the air conditioner. Mounting a very powerful window unit in a small room will not provide cooling to the entire house. Air flow into the unit from the interior side is just as important as outdoor air intake.

Consult a professional when making decisions about the best type and size of unit for the home. The direction the home faces, window size, and room size all play a role in determining whether to use a window unit, a portable unit, or have central air conditioning installed. Evaluate the number of daytime hours the home is occupied, and if there are health challenges that would be better managed through climate control. Expensive art collections and antique furniture are irreplaceable and require special considerations in temperature and humidity levels. If there are concerns of mold currently growing under the structure or within the walls, the existing mold must be removed to correct the situation. Air conditioning units have proven to enhance the quality of life regardless of the climate, and proper maintenance ensures long-term return on the investment.