What is Aircontitioning ?
The Basics
The principle of air conditioning always comes down to the same:
"Absorb energy in one place and release it in another place"
The process requires an indoor unit, an outdoor unit and copper piping to connect both. Through the piping the refrigerant flows from one unit to another. It is the refrigerant that absorbs the energy in one unit and releases it in the other.
Cooling mode
1 Indoor unit
A fan blows the hot indoor air over a heat exchanging coil through which cold refrigerant flows. The cold refrigerant absorbs the heat from the air and cooled air is blown into the room.
2 Copper piping
The refrigerant circulates through the units and the piping and takes the heat from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit.
3 Outdoor unit
Through compression, the refrigerant gas is heated and its boiling point increases. In the outdoor unit the obtained heat throught compression is released to the outdoor air by means of a fan which blows the outdoor air over a heat exchanging coil.
4 Refrigerant
The liquid refrigerant flows back to the indoor unit.
5 Indoor unit
Back in the indoor unit, the refrigerant is decompressed and thus enabled to extract heat form the indoor air.
How to choose the right equipment?
Creating the right climate is a complex matter. Several factors determine which equipment is the best solution for you. Be sure to be guided by an installer. Here are already some things to keep in mind.
* To what extent do you want to control the indoor climate?
Do you want cooling only? Or do you also want ventilation and/or heating? The choice will determine the type of system.
* How many rooms?
The number of rooms will determine the system. In case of more than one room it is possible to connect several indoor units to one outdoor unit.
* Which kind of room(s)?
A shop? An office? A bedroom or living room? Each application requires its own system.
* Capacity?
A system with too high capacity will lead to draught, fluctuating temperatures and high energy bills. With a too low capacity you will never reach the desired temperature. Choosing the right capacity is mainly having an installer calculate the capacity need. He will take into account the influences on the capacity need like solar infiltration, lighting, number of occupants, etc.
* Place of the outdoor unit?
The outdoor unit should get an appropriate place, on a solid base and accessible for maintenance.
* Place of the indoor unit?
The choice of the model will be determined by the possibilities to place the unit. Is there a false ceiling? Is there free space on the wall? Etc. Also the location of the unit is of great importance. Each unit has its own air distribution pattern. A wrong location may lead to draught and sound.
* Weather durability?
Mind the weather durability of the outdoor unit. This will determine the lifetime of the installation.
* Air purification?
The dust particles floating in the air can be removed by means of filters in the indoor units. Depending on the level of filtration.
* Selection of the installer?
The most important is to be advised by a good
installer. He will calculate, draw up and install the
required system according to your needs. His skilled advice
and craftsmanship will ensure you of a good climate.
Find your local installer by selecting your region:
Heatpumps
Heat pumps = Using air conditioners to heat
Heat pumps are an integral part of air conditioning technology. Heat pumps transfer heat from one environment to another via refrigerant. In cooling mode, heat pumps transfer the heat in an enclosed area (room, industrial process) to the outside air, resulting in a cooling of the area in question. This is the role that heat pumps play in common refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Heat pumps, however, also allow this process to be reversed. They can pump heat extracted from the outside air indoors, allowing indoor environments to be heated as well as cooled using the same technology.
Heat pump efficiency
Heat pumps offer numerous advantages as a heating solution. The same systems used to cool can also be used to heat, resulting in less initial investment and simplicity in operation and maintenance. They / Heat pumps also have an important advantage in the area of efficiency. Unlike fossil-fuel based heating systems, heat pumps extract available heat from the outside air. Heat pumps offer efficiency gains on the order of 3:1 and higher, compared to electrical heating. Thus for every unit of energy consumed by the heat pump, three or more units of heat are gained.
Heat pump comfort
Heat pumps in combination with inverter technology offer unparalleled indoor heating comfort and process efficiency. Heat pumps can extract heat energy from the outside air even on the coldest days of winter. Heat pump systems are capable of meeting exacting industrial heating and cooling requirements as well as of providing comfortable and efficient indoor heating.
Heat pumps
Many commercial products are available with a heating mode that allows the system to heat as well as cool.
What does air conditioning do?
Air conditioning is the process of treating the temperature, humidity, cleanness and distribution of the air.
* Cooling
Our air conditioners offer precise temperature control. You can always create the climate in which you feel best, with the right temperature. Not only does it create comfort, it makes you feel fresh and active even in the most extreme outside conditions.
* Heating
Air conditioners can also offer heating. You can enjoy the perfect constant temperature all year through, no matter what are the outside conditions. It is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional heating because it takes energy from the outside air and brings it inside. Hence the name Heat Pump.
* Cleaning
Our air conditioners produce clean, healthy air. All indoor units are equipped with filters that take dust, pollen, smoke, ... from the air. According to the needs of the customer the level of filtration can be increased. Filtration is critical for persons with allergies.
* Dehumidifying
In cooling mode an air conditioner dehumidifies the air, creating a better feeling of wellbeing. Bear also in mind that a correct humidity level limits the growth of dust mites and molds, which again has a positive effect on persons with allergies. Human beings feel that 40 to 60 % is a comfort level of humidity. Also a correct humidity level ensures a longer lifetime of your appliances and house.
* Ventilating
Ventilation can be integrated in the air conditioning system. It takes out the inside air and pushes in fresh, conditioned air from outside. In mid season, when the air conditioning is turned off, the ventilation can work independently. The ventilation systems can also be installed without the air conditioning installation.
Why air conditioning?
With air conditioning you can create the comfort in which you feel best, with the right temperature and a comfortable humidity. Modern air conditioners produce clean, healthy fresh air, dehumidify the air and prevent mold. All of this is able with neither draught nor noise.
In short,air conditioning makes you feel better, more active and fit, resulting in many advantages, because he or she who feels better is more creative and productive. And who doesn't like to be in a shop, café, restaurant or hotel with air conditioning, certainly in the summer?
The effect on personal performance
There is a close correlation between a person's performance and the temperature of his immediate surroundings. An environment that is too hot, too cold or too damp will certainly not contribute to higher working efficiency.
The graph illustrates this correlation. Performance begins to drop at about 22°C whilst above 26°C, it falls dramatically. It is important therefore, to keep temperature under control. Please note that the term 'effective temperature' is assumed to include humidity.
It is scientifically proven that:
- Accidents tend to occur more frequently during extreme temperatures - the optimum temperature appears to be about 20°C.
- Mental performance and work rhythm drop off sharply when it is too hot.
- Obviously, the provision of a constant environment is subject to many influences.
- For a building to operate comfortably and efficiently, due attention must be paid to its services.
Effect on your health
More and more health concerned people pay attention to indoor air quality. You may experience health effects from indoor air pollutant soon after exposure or possibly even years later. Air conditioning is able to prevent or reduce some of the health effects.
The way houses and buildings are constructed to conserve energy has reduced the natural ventilation of fresh air, which, in the worst case, results in sick building syndrome. When you stop ventilation of the house, you'll reduce the energy required to heat and cool the house. But this means also that humidity levels are maintained within the house by re-circulating the same air and pollutants day after day. Dust, smoke, bacteria, virusses, mold, fungus, mildew and gasses circulate through the house.
The dust comes from the skin, hair, clothes or just comes off shoes when we walk in and out. The mildew, fungus and molds can come in along with the dust. Gasses can be caused by dyes, paints, varnishes and adhesives.
And, humidity of at least 50 % greatly reduces the survival rate of the influenza virus.
Solutions to lower the concentration of indoor air pollutants are ventilation, filters and humidity control. Air conditioning offers these solutions. Every air conditioning unit has a filter. The type of filter depends on the type of system. A system with integrated ventilation requires a less effective filter. The efficiency of a filter is measured in the percentage of arrestance of particles.
Effect on indoor equipment
Air conditioning is not only bringing you comfort and clean, healthy air but it also has a positive effect on your indoor equipment. Especially the function of dehumidifying is to be considered.
The low humidity level ensures a prolonged lifetime of your equipment. A humidity level of 40-60 % is advised for a good conservation of indoor equipment.