What Types of Air Conditioners Are Available?
Air conditioning companies are in a tough spot. Until the supply chain bottleneck ends, they’ll have to charge more to offset their higher costs.
Consider diversifying your suppliers and taking a more pre-order approach. Also, take the time to evaluate suppliers. For example, check that they offer enclosures for corrosive environments and confirm their thermal capacities.
Enclosure Air Conditioners
Enclosure air conditioners (also called cabinet air conditioners or control panel AC) maintain a slight pressure in electrical enclosures to keep components cool and dry. They include thermostatic controls to keep enclosure temperatures within programmed limits. Most use efficient rotary compressors, but some models also feature thermoelectric coolers or heat exchangers based on the Peltier effect. They feature coated condenser coils that stay clean for consistent performance, and they have connections for a door limit switch. They are designed to mount in walls and doors using standardized cutouts.
The internal temperature of an electrical enclosure can rise to dangerous levels that shorten the life expectancy of electronic components and cause them to fail. Uncontrolled temperatures may also lead to power loss and reduced efficiencies.
These enclosure air conditioners help prevent these problems by keeping enclosures cool, dry and free Vacuum forming machine supplier of contaminants and dust. They are available in a wide range of cooling capacities, voltages and NEMA ratings, including those for hazardous locations.
Choose an enclosure air conditioner that’s the right size for your electrical enclosure. A unit that’s too big will cycle frequently, wasting energy and possibly leading to compressor overheating and failure. On the other hand, a unit that’s too small won’t be able to meet the cooling requirements of the enclosure during summer peaks. Also, look for an enclosure air conditioner with a robust construction to resist the effects of vibration and harsh environments.
Portable Air Conditioners
Like all air conditioners, portable units pull in room air and cool it by passing it over evaporator coils that are filled with refrigerant. They then remove humidity and heat through a single hose. They work best in rooms with open windows, since they must vent out hot air through the window, but they can also be used in enclosed spaces, such as sunrooms and garages.
Some models feature a dehumidifier to extract moisture from the air, making them a good choice for humid environments. They are lightweight and portable, allowing you to move them from room to room as needed. They can be noisy, however, because all of the conditioning occurs inside the unit.
They are ideal for people who have trouble lifting a window air conditioner in and out of the window each season, and they are also a good option for apartments and rental homes where it is not permitted to install a window unit. They are also more energy efficient than traditional window units, as they don’t require the additional heat generated by a window opening to help them cool.
Like other types of air conditioners, portable air conditioning units use a lot of electricity. To reduce their energy usage, you can set a timer to turn them off when you are away from home for two hours or more, as this will allow them to cool the room without working as hard.
Commercial Air Conditioners
When you’re dealing with a commercial space, the AC system needs to be more powerful than a residential unit. Generally, they’ll have higher BTUs and be mounted on the roof or attached to the side of your building.
There are a variety of different commercial air conditioners, with each one serving its own purpose and working in a unique way. It’s important to understand the nuances of each type and how they function to ensure you choose the right one for your business.
For example, you might want a single-split air conditioning system for your business. These are very similar to the ones used in homes, with an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, and a network of ducts that carry the conditioned air to other areas of the business. Another option is a packaged air conditioner, which has an all-in-one design and is typically mounted on the roof in buildings like senior living centers.
Finally, you can also go with a chilled water system or chiller. These are very powerful and provide precise cooling, which is a great choice for critical applications such as data centers and manufacturing facilities. If you’re shopping for a commercial air conditioner, it’s important to check that it has an Energy Star rating. This certification means that it has been tested for safety and energy efficiency, which will save you money on your monthly utility bills.
Residential Air Conditioners
In most homes, air conditioning isn’t just a luxury but a requirement. It keeps you comfortable and safe, especially if you live in an area where summers get hotter than average. It can also keep your home and family healthy by reducing the humidity levels, which helps reduce allergens such as dust mites and mold that can lead to respiratory illnesses like asthma.
Residential AC systems come in different sizes, styles and configurations to fit the indoor living spaces of all kinds of residences, from today’s tiny houses to 30,000-square foot estates. You can even make your ducted Vacuum-forming machine company or ductless system smarter by pairing it with a smart thermostat or smart AC controller, which allow you to monitor and control your home’s air temperature and humidity.
Unlike portable units, most residential AC systems are fixed to the exterior of your house or on your window. This makes them easier to access for repair or maintenance. If you’re in an apartment building, it’s likely the system is located on the roof for better noise control and space-saving purposes.
Residential AC systems can use a variety of energy sources to operate, such as natural gas, electricity and solar power. However, they can use a lot of energy in order to cool your home and this puts stress on our local electricity grids. It also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, which can be damaging to the environment.
