Air Conditioning

What to Know About Your AC or Air Conditioner

Air Conditioning is defined as cooling and dehumidification of indoor air for Thermal Comfort. Air Conditioning refers to any form of cooling, heating, ventilation or air disinfection that modifies the condition of indoor air.

An air conditioner, often referred to as AC, is an appliance or system, used especially to stabilize the air temperature and humidity within an area.

An Air Conditioner typically using a refrigeration cycle. However, an air conditioner can also use evaporation; these are sometimes called Evaporative Cooling Units, or Swamp Coolers.

An Evaporative Cooling System would work in a dry climate, like Phoenix AZ, but not in a humid climate, like Houston TX.

Air Conditioning equipment, that uses refrigirant, usually reduces the humidity of the air processed by the system.

A Dehumidifier is an Air Conditioner that is used specifically for the Dehumidfication Of The Air, but a Dehumidifier is different from a regular Air Conditioner in that, in a regular Air Conditioner, the Condensor Coil is in a separate, outdoor air path. In a Dehumidifierr, the Condensor Coil is in the main air path (indoors), resulting in warm, dehumidified air.

Lack of Air Conditioner Service can cause the growth of Legionella Pneumophila, the infectious agent responsible for Legionnaires' Disease.

In order to avoid disease and health hazards, you must keep your Air Conditioning Unit clean.

People with allergies and asthma should remember that, air conditioning, including air filtration, air humidification, air cooling, and air disinfection, provides a clean, safe, hypoallergenic atmosphere where you can live in comfort.

In Houston's heat waves, air conditioning can save a life, especially for the elderly.

A poorly operating air conditioning system can generate sound levels that contribute to hearing loss. Properly functioning air conditioners are much quieter.

Using Your Air Conditioner

An air conditioner will cool the air in your home fairly quickly. For economical operation, turn it on only when your home is occupied. You may consider installing a programmable thermostat. These allow you to set the time when the air conditioner will turn on, such as 30 minutes before you arrive home from work on a hot day. Contact EREC (see Source List) for the fact sheet Automatic and Programmable Thermostats. During the day, keep the drapes or blinds closed on windows that face east, south, and west. This will help reduce solar heat gain into your home.

Overall, a clean, well maintained Central Air Conditioning System will help you to breathe more easily. Have your Air Conditioning Service and Cleaning done annually and Air Condition Repair done as necessary.