Heating, Cooling and Ventilation Systems.

With the levels of global warming today increasing every single day, it is sometimes difficult to control and reduce heat in our homes with opening doors and windows not really doing it for you which is why the need for air conditioners is growing. Home air conditioning is slowly becoming a popular choice for Kenya homes after not being overly common here for a number of years.

What is an air conditioner?

An air conditioner is a key component of the HVAC system which focuses on home temperature control with the aim of maximizing comfort and livability in a space by cooling down a space by removing heat from the said space and redirecting it to some outside area. They are known as split systems because there is an outdoor and indoor unit, the condenser and evaporator respectively. These two systems work hand in hand to accomplish the task of cooling a space while also dehumidifying it. The cool air can then be moved throughout the building through ventilation. Air conditioners require some input of work to operate, otherwise entropy would reduce naturally which is forbidden by the laws of thermodynamics.

 While the basic concept behind air conditioning has been around since the ancient Egyptian times, the very first modern air conditioning unit was invented back in 1902 by Willis Carrier in response to an air quality problem by a New York publishing company.

The invention not only controls the temperature, but also the humidity of a space, cooling the air by flowing it over cold coils, allowing them to control the moisture in the air. Shortly after, air conditioning was introduced to cars and also to improve home comfort. Over the years, the sales of air conditioning units increased dramatically as a result of consumer needs.

How does it all work?

• A cold liquid refrigerant absorbs heat from the hotter room through evaporation, therefore cooling the room down.
• The refrigerant then changes phase to a gas and is put through a compressor to increase its temperature.
• Refrigerant then passes through the condenser coils, transferring heat from the refrigerant to the outside air.
• Refrigerant expands in order to decrease its pressure and cool down to below the rooms temperature to repeat the cycle again. 

Types of air conditioners.

There are many different types of air conditioning units, and from all the different types of AC units, you want to choose the one that fits your needs the most. Factors like the size of the area, how much heat is generated in that particular area, the energy consumption and which type of controls you need. Having the right type for your needs is essential to keep your energy consumption under control and keeping your space at a bearable temperature.

 Portable air conditioning unit.

They are the most popular units you can find and it’s easy to see why, if you need some cooling quick, cheap and without a lot of hassle and fuss, they are just what you want. This small air conditioning unit does what it says on the tin. It’s a mobile unit that doesn’t require permanent installation. They’re easy to install and work by removing the heat from the air in your room from a small exhaust. This unit can be moved from room to room to wherever needs the most attention

Wall-Mounted, inverter Split Unit Air Conditioning System

They are quite a niche cooling device. The split system air conditioner consists of both an outside and an inside unit. The outside unit is installed on or near the exterior wall of the room you’re looking to cool, and houses the compressor, condenser coil, and expansion coil. The indoor unit sits on the wall and contains the cooling coil and an air filter. Both units are connected with wires and tubing.

The split-system air conditioners are an exceptional choice for homes, as they have a big capacity and can cool your house quickly and efficiently. split systems are very quiet as the compressor and fan are located in the outside unit and allow for multiple indoor units that are connected to a single outdoor box. The two drawbacks are that they come at a high price and their installation, well, it’s not exactly a piece of cake installation.

Packaged Air Conditioners

While traditionally, an air conditioning system is comprised of two parts; an outdoor condenser and an indoor air handler, in a packaged air conditioner unit, all of the parts are enclosed in a single box, usually located on the outside wall or roof of a building.

Packaged air conditioning systems have a higher cooling or heating capacity, making them ideal for use in larger houses or commercial buildings. They work by installing the single component and connecting the system to ducts laid throughout various rooms. By using electricity as its power source, the unit circulates the refrigerant through the coils. Warm air is then pulled in by a fan and passes over the cold evaporator coil, cooling it. The cool air is then pushed through the ducts into the building.

Central Air Conditioning System

Central air conditioning systems are generally used to cool large homes or buildings such as gyms or offices owing to the presence of ducted pipes which can spread to any room and part of your apartment. These central systems are the most common type of air -cooling systems as they are quick and efficient at cooling down larger areas.

The system works from a cooling compressor, which is located outside. Much like other air conditioners, a coil filled with refrigerant is used to cool the air, which is then blown out by a fan and circulated throughout the building with the use of ducts located on the walls or floors. If there is warm air in a room, the ducts will register the heat and the air will then be transported back to the air conditioner to be pushed outside. If you are looking for a replacement for your current AC unit, the central air conditioning system would be great, other than the installation process being bothersome.

Ceiling cassette air conditioners

Featuring an elegant design and high end cooling the cassette air conditioners are the perfect  answer to  all your cooling needs.it is one of the ductless mini-split systems with the indoor air handler being installed in the ceiling while the rest of the components are hidden away behind the ceiling .It does not take up much space since the grille is nearly invisible .these easy to install air conditioners also come with large fans which allow higher volume of airflow to be distributed using lower speeds hence reducing noise levels. They provide comfort control with the return air censors present in the return air handlers, thereby ensuring they adjust automatically to the setting whenever necessary. They also offer a number of options to allow better control of the unit, with a remote controller, you can customize the system based on your needs and preferences. That way, you can keep your environment in a condition that suits you best

Other types of AC systems

Window Air Conditioners

These air conditioners are installed at a window and is used to cool a single room or space. They’re ideal for homes where people tend to occupy one room at a time. A window air conditioning system is a standalone, self-contained unit, where all of the components sit inside a single box.

The window air conditioner is relatively cheap to purchase and operate and is also very compact. These devices are installed along the lower half of the window and pull hot air from the room and push it outside, blowing cold air into the space to cool it down.