An air conditioner cools by passing either refrigerated or evaporatively cooled air through your home. An air conditioner can be a simple portable home appliance or an installed fully ducted system, designed to dehumidify and extract heat from your home.

Split systems

Split systems are capable of both heating and cooling, and are often called inverters. These exceptionally versatile systems are the most popular model on the market in Australia today. They consist of an interior head unit, which blows cooled or warmed air around the room, and an external condensing unit that performs the temperature change. Multiple inside units can be installed, running off the same condensing unit for those with limited exterior space.

Window and wall units

Unitary systems, as known as one room air conditioners, sit in a window or wall opening, and have interior controls. Interior air is cooled as a fan blows it over the evaporator. On the exterior the air is heated as a second fan blows it over the condenser. In this process, heat is drawn from the room and sent out to the environment. A large house or building may have several such units, permitting each room be cooled separately. These systems are also known as wall split systems or ductless systems.

Ducted air conditioning

Ducted air conditiong systems are where one or more rooms are treated, but there is no visible wall mounted unit. The air is processed in a central air conditioning unit and then dispersed via pipes or ‘ducts’ to those areas of the house, apartment or office space where they are needed. When the air conditioning turns on, room air is drawn in from various parts of the building through return-air ducts. This air is pulled through a filter where particles such as dust and lint are removed. Sophisticated filters may remove microscopic pollutants as well. The filtered air is routed to air supply ductwork that carries it back to rooms.

Evaporative coolers

Evaporative coolers are popular in dry climates. They cool the air by drawing outside air through a wet pad, such as a large sponge soaked with water. However, evaporative coolers can feel ineffective in high humidity. However, these coolers cost less and are mechanically simple to understand and maintain.

Inverters

Eliminating stop-start cycles increases efficiency, extends the life of components and regulates fluctuations in the power supply. An inverter in an air conditioner is used to control the speed of the compressor motor, allowing continuously regulated temperature. By contrast, traditional air conditioners regulate temperature by using a compressor that is periodically either working at maximum capacity or switched off entirely. Most modern apartments have inverter systems installed.

Parts of an air conditioning unit

• Blower
• Compressor
• Thermostat
• Condenser coil
• Evaporator coil

Tips for effective air conditioning

• Find a shady spot, or construct a shade specifically for the air conditioner’s exterior unit.
• Set the temperature in winter to between 18-21°C and in summer to between 23-26°C.
• In units with adjustable louvres, position these towards the floor when heating and towards the ceiling when cooling
• During humid weather having your fan set to a slower speed will cool better: the slower the air moves through the machine, the more moisture can be taken out.

Air conditioning in the Australian climate is one of the best ways of making sure you enjoy all the seasons. Ensuring that you have a regular air con service by a company that specialises in air conditioning installation means that you will get the longest life out of your unit.