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Frequently Asked Questions
The basics
Why Air Conditioning?
What Air Conditioning Does
How to Choose the Right Equipment
A brief history of AC
Glossary of AC Terms
The Basics
What is Air Conditioning?
Air conditioning is the process by which we can maintain a constant stream of clean fresh air, at a set temperature and humidity, within a building.
Why Air Conditioning?
Installing air conditioning allows you precise control over the temperature of your environment by heating or cooling the air whatever the weather conditions outside.
How does Air Conditioning Work?
Cooling mode:
The refrigerant, a special liquid, which is sealed within the system, absorbs excess heat from the room. As the refrigerant absorbs the heat from the room it changes into a gas and flows through small, copper pipes to an outdoor unit where the heat is released, into the air. The gas then changes back into a cold liquid, returning to the indoor unit where the air is fanned over it and out into the room. This cycle is automatically repeated to maintain the desired room temperature.
Heating mode:
A heat pump system allows the above cycles to be reversed. A heat pump extracts heat from the outdoor air, even on the coldest days and transfers the heat to the indoor unit. Heat pump units therefore avoid the need for a boiler and allow you to cool and heat with the same unit, creating savings in purchasing, running and energy costs all year long.
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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.
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.
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.
The Effects on Your Health
Air conditioning is more than just temperature control it also controls humidity, ventilation and filtration. Discover the positive effects of air conditioning on your health.
More and more people concerned with their health or that have health concerns need to pay special attention to their 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 reduce some of the health side-effects.
Modern houses and buildings are constructed in such a way so as to conserve energy and as a result this has reduced the natural ventilation of fresh air, which, in the worst case, results in sick building syndrome. When you stop ventilation of a building, you will reduce the energy required to heat and cool the building, however this also means that humidity levels are maintained within the building as a result of re-circulating the air and pollutants day after day.
Typical air pollutants are:
Dust from skin, hair, clothes and shoes when we walk in and out of the building.
Smoke
Bacteria
Viruses
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.
One solution to lower the concentration of indoor air pollutants is via improved 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.
The Effects on Indoor Equipment
Air conditioning also has a positive effect on your indoor electrical equipment, due to the fact that it maintains a low level of humidity, aiding to prolong the lifetime of your all your electrical equipment.
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What Air Conditioning Does
Air conditioning is the complex system of controlling the temperature, the humidity, the cleanliness and the distribution and movement of the air.
Cooling
Air conditioning offers you precise temperature control. You can always create the climate which is best suited to you. No matter how extreme the conditions are.
Heating
Air conditioning can also offer you heating. It is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional heating because it takes energy from the outside air and brings it inside.
Heat pumps
A heat pump is an air conditioning unit that can be used both for cooling and heating. The principle is that it is able to reverse the process of transporting heat from one place to another by reversing the refrigerant cycle. A heat pump extracts energy from the outdoor and transfers the heat indoors. This principle even continues to function on very cold days with temperatures down to -5°C, -10°C or -15°C, depending on the type of air conditioning system used.
Energy efficiency
Heat pumps are far more energy efficient than other heaters. The reason for this is simple: rather than burning a fuel, it transfers heat. Therefore, heat pump units eliminate the need for a heating system and allow you to cool and heat with the same unit, with savings in costs and energy throughout the year.
Dehumidifying
In cooling mode an air conditioning unit dehumidifies the air. It is also worth noting that the correct humidity level limits the growth of dust mites and molds. 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. Our ventilation systems can also be installed without the air conditioning installation
Filters
Every air conditioning unit has a filter. The type of filter depends on the type of air conditioning system. A system with integrated ventilation requires a less effective filter.
The efficiency of a filter is measured by the amount and size of particles do they stop?
Another factor in the efficiency of a filter is the air flow, or simply stated; the fan speed which defines how many m³ of air passes through the filter.
Dust filter
Removes airborne dust and particles to ensure a steady supply of clean air. Can easily be washed or vacuumed.
Air purification filter
The air purification filter traps small dust, particles and pollen as small as 0.01 microns and prevents the propagation of bacteria and viruses. The filter is double-sided with an air-cleaning electrostatic filter on the front side and a deodorizing activated charcoal filter on the rear side. The air purifying filter is always combined with a regular filter.
Photo catalytic deodorizing filter
This filter is an anti-bacterial and deodorizing filter which powerfully decomposes cigarette and pet odours and also restrains the reproduction of bacteria, viruses and microbes caught in the filter. The photo catalytic deodorizing filter is always combined with an air purifying filter.
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How to Choose the Right Equipment
Creating the desired temperature in your environment is complex as several factors determine which equipment is best suited to your solution. Please see below a guide to the decision making process.
Please note that you should always consult a specialist to make this choice.
How much control do you require over the indoor climate?
Do you require cooling only, cooling and heating and maybe you also want ventilation? Your choice will determine the type of system installed.
For how many rooms?
The number of rooms will determine the system. Where there are multiple rooms it is possible to connect several indoor units to one outdoor unit.
What kind of room(s)?
A bedroom, an office or a shop? Each location requires its own system.
Capacity?
A system with too high a capacity will lead to draughts, fluctuating temperatures and high energy bills. With too low a capacity the desired temperature will never be reached. Choosing the right capacity is therefore vital, hence the necessity to consult an expert.
The Location of the outdoor unit?
The outdoor unit will be placed in an appropriate location, which is both secure and accessible for maintenance.
The Location of the indoor unit?
The indoor unit must be placed in the correct location in order to provide correct air distribution.
Air purification?
Airborne dust particles can be removed by means of filters in the indoor units.
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Coolus A brief history of Air Conditioning
A VERY LONG TIME AGO
The very earliest form of air conditioning started when early man moved inside a cool dark cave to escape the summer heat and protect himself from the winter cold.
A LONG TIME AGO
A very early form of air conditioning was invented in Persia (Iran)
19TH CENTURY (1800-1899)
British scientist and inventor, Michael Faraday discovered that compressing and liquefying a certain gas could chill air when the liquefied ammonia was allowed to evaporate. His idea remained largely theoretical.
1842
In Florida, USA physician Dr John Gorrie used compressor technology to create ice
1851
Gorrie was granted a patent in 1851 (Patent #8080, USPTO) for his ice-making machine
The late 1800s
In the late 1800s, mechanical refrigeration was used to preserve meat and perishable foods
1902
New York, USA Stock Exchange’s building was equipped with a central cooling
The first modern, electrical air conditioning unit was invented by Willis Haviland Carrier (1876-1950)
1906
Cramer coined the term "air conditioning"
1911
Between 1911 and 1930 movie theatres became air conditioned in greater numbers providing movie goers with an escape from the hot summer heat.
1917
The Central Park Theatre, Chicago, USA opened in and special refrigerants where used to cool the air.
1928
Thomas Midgley, Jr created the first chlorofluorocarbon gas, dubbed Freon
1950’s
Residential sales take off in the USA
The very earliest form of air conditioning started when early man moved inside a cool dark cave to escape the summer heat and protect himself from the winter cold.
A very early form of air conditioning was invented in Persia (Iran) thousands of years ago, it consisted of wind shafts on a roof, which caught the wind and passed it over water cooling it down before it blew into the building.
In the 19th century the British scientist and inventor, Michael Faraday discovered that compressing and liquefying a certain gas could chill air when the liquefied ammonia was allowed to evaporate. His idea remained largely theoretical.
However in 1842 in Florida physician Dr John Gorrie used compressor technology to create ice, which he would use to cool down air that was then blown over malaria and yellow fever patients. He then had the vision of using his ice-making machine to regulate the environment within a building. He even envisioned centralized air conditioning that could cool entire cities. Gorrie was granted a patent in 1851 (Patent #8080, USPTO) for his ice-making machine. The technology was attacked by Northern businessmen with the help of religious leaders and they called the technology blasphemous, in order to protect its business of exporting natural ice to Southern states. When both Gorrie and his partner died in 1855, the idea of air conditioning died with him, until 1902.
In the late 1800s, mechanical refrigeration was used to preserve meat and perishable foods. In some cases cold air was piped from a central station to surroundings buildings for cold storage to preserve food, chill beer and protect special documents.
One of the first uses of air conditioning for personal comfort was in 1902 when the New York Stock Exchange’s building was equipped with a central cooling as well as heating system. Alfred Wolff, an engineer from Hobken, New Jersey,USA who is considered the forerunner in the quest to cool a working environment, helped design the new system, transferring this budding technology from textile mills to commercial buildings.
Later in 1902, the first modern, electrical air conditioning unit was invented by Willis Haviland Carrier (1876-1950). His invention differed from Wolff's in that it controlled not only temperature, but also humidity for improved manufacturing process control for a printing plant in Brooklyn, New York, USA. This specifically helped to provide low heat and humidity for consistent paper dimensions and ink alignment. Later, Carrier's technology was applied to increase productivity in the workplace, and the Carrier Engineering Company, now called Carrier (a division of United Technologies Corporation), was formed in 1915 to meet the new demand. Later still, air conditioning use was expanded to improve comfort in homes and automobiles. Residential sales didn't take off until the 1950's. The Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, is a Landmark Building in building engineering services (built in 1906) and lays claim to being the first “Air conditioned Building in the World”.
In 1906, Stuart W. Cramer of Charlotte, North Carolina was exploring ways to add moisture to the air in his southern textile mill. Cramer coined the term "air conditioning" and used it in a patent claim he filed that year as an alternative to "water conditioning", then a well-known process for making textiles easier to work. He combined moisture with ventilation to actually "condition" and change the air in the factories, controlling the humidity so necessary in textile plants. Willis Carrier adopted the term and incorporated it into the name of the company he founded in 1907, The Carrier Air Conditioning Company of America.
Between 1911 and 1930 movie theatres became air conditioned in greater numbers providing movie goers with an escape from the hot summer heat. The Central Park Theatre, Chicago, USA opened in 1917, special refrigerants where used to cool the air.
The first air conditioners and refrigerators employed toxic gases like ammonia and methyl chloride, which resulted in fatal accidents when they leaked. Thomas Midgley, Jr created the first chlorofluorocarbon gas, dubbed Freon in 1928. The refrigerant proved much safer for humans but is harmful to the atmosphere's ozone layer. "Freon" is a trade name of Dupont for any CFC, HCFC, or HFC refrigerant, the name of each including a number indicating molecular composition (R-11, R-12, R-22, R-134). The blend most used in direct-expansion comfort cooling is an HCFC known as R-22, and is slated to be phased out for use in new equipment by 2010 and completely discontinued by 2020. R-11 and R-12 are no longer manufactured in the US, the only source for purchase being the cleaned and purified gas recovered from other air conditioner systems. Several ozone-friendly refrigerants have been developed as alternatives, including R-410A, known by the brand name "Puron".
Air conditioning in its present form took off following WWII, when manufacturers found that the market for personal comfort was growing and as a result the demand for air conditioning units was greater than the supply. Mass produced machines were marketed as improving health, sleep and keeping the house clean.
Architects also used the possibilities afforded to them by air conditioning venturing into new commercial and residential construction concepts, designing with more glass and closed spaces without the need for shaded areas and cross ventilation. This allowed for glass walled sky scrapers and buildings to be built just about anywhere.
Today new highly efficient air conditioning systems using far less environmentally damaging refrigerants are helping to save billions of kilowatt hours of electricity in the USA alone.
Air conditioning has had an incredible impact on the way we live our lives. We can live in air conditioned homes, go to work in an air conditioned car to our air conditioned office, go back home via the air conditioned sports club, bar, club, restaurant, shop...
New frontiers in space exploration are now possible because of the controlled environment.
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Coolus The Glossary
Please see below an alphabetic list of terms that you will encounter on this site.
Air conditioner Equipment that simultaneously controls air temperature, relative humidity, purity and motion.
Air cooled A fan is used to discharge heat from the condenser coil to the outdoors
Ambient Temperature The temperature of the air surrounding the equipment.
BTU(British Thermal Unit) The standard of measurement used for measuring the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree fahrenheit
Compressor The pump that moves the refrigerant from the indoor evaporator to the outdoor condenser and back to the evaporator again.
Condenser A device that transfers unwanted heat out of a refrigeration system to a medium (air, water or air & water) that absorbs the heat and then transfers it to a disposal point.
Condenser Coil A network of tubes filled with refrigerant, normally located outside, that removes heat from the hot gaseous refrigerant so that the refrigerant becomes liquid again.
Cooling Capacity The measure of the ability of a unit to remove heat from an enclosed area.
Evaporator Absorbs heat from the surrounding air and moves it outside the refrigerated area by means of refrigerant.
Evaporator Coil A network of tubes filled with refrigerant, located inside, that removes heat and moisture out of the indoor air as the liquid refrigerant evaporates.
HVAC Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
Heat Pump An Air Conditioner that is capable of heating by refrigeration. Outside air is used as a heat source, when the indoor unit is in heating mode.
Heating Capacity The measure of the ability of a unit to add heat to an enclosed area.
Insulation Any material that slows down the transfer of hot or cold.
Kilowatt Is 1000 watts
Latent Heat The heat energy that is required to change the state of a substance (liquid to gas) but not its temperature
Solar Heat Gain Is the heat absorbed through glass
Watt A unit of power named after James Watt.
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