When sweltering temperatures take hold, air conditioning offers much-needed relief. It’s a vital health shield, keeping us cool and preventing dehydration.
Air conditioning uses a system of tubing filled with coolant that forces liquid into a gas through a compressor, condenser and expansion device. Then it’s pumped into an evaporator coil, where the cooling process begins. For more information, contact All Temp Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.
While refrigeration and air conditioning both cool a space, they work in different ways. Air conditioners use a series of chemical reactions and compression to keep your home cool, while refrigerators employ ductwork and fans to distribute cold air throughout a building or room.
The air conditioning process starts with a pump that pumps liquid refrigerant through copper tubing to the indoor unit, where it passes over evaporator coils and absorbs heat from your home’s air. The cooled refrigerant then moves through a compressor, where it is compressed and heated, turning from a liquid into a gas. The hot refrigerant then flows over the outdoor coils, where it releases its heat into the outdoors, and the cycle begins again.
You can help your air conditioner function more efficiently by keeping the evaporator coils clean, which will make it easier for the refrigerant to absorb heat from the air in your house. You should also change the filter regularly, because an old one blocks air flow and can suffocate your system.
Other measures you can take to save electricity include running a ceiling fan, which circulates air that’s cooler than your body temperature and helps sweat evaporate off the skin. You can also block out the sun with window shades and heavy curtains, and seal major air leaks in your crawlspace, basement or attic.
If you’re looking for a career where your skills are in high demand, consider becoming a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic. In Canada, this trade requires a combination of on-the-job experience and postsecondary training. You can find opportunities in all provinces and territories, but the most competitive areas are Ontario and Quebec.
It Keeps You Hydrated
Many people don’t realize that dehydration is one of the most serious health concerns of summer. The heat and humidity can cause you to sweat a lot, and the more water you lose through sweating, the more dehydrated you’ll become. Air conditioning keeps your body at a cool, stable temperature that prevents you from sweating as much and allows you to stay hydrated.
In addition, staying hydrated will keep your throat moist which reduces irritation and helps you breathe easier. It also improves your immune system, making it easier for you to fight off allergies and infections.
It also protects against the dangers of heat stroke. This is especially important for older adults, young children, outdoor workers, those with chronic illnesses and pregnant women who may have a harder time regulating their bodies’ temperatures. Air conditioning keeps indoor air cooler than outside and shields you from these dangerous health conditions.
For those who have asthma, a well-maintained AC can help reduce symptoms and attacks. Frequent temperature fluctuations can drain your energy and cause confusion and lack of focus, but an air conditioned environment offers stability that’s less likely to trigger an asthma attack. Moreover, a regular cleaning of your AC can reduce germs and bacteria that could cause respiratory illness.
It Reduces Humidity
A well-maintained air conditioning system is designed to reduce both the temperature and humidity in your home. Humidity is a measurement of the amount of water vapor in the air, and it’s important to keep it at a comfortable level. High humidity can lead to uncomfortable muggy feelings, moisture problems, and mold spores. The ideal relative humidity range for your home is 30-50%.
When you run your air conditioner, it lowers the humidity by forcing indoor air to pass over cold evaporator coils. The evaporator coils are filled with refrigerant that stores heat and evaporates as it cools, causing the water molecules in the indoor air to condense on them. The resulting condensation drips into a drain pan and through a condensate line, and the air is cooled and dehumidified before it’s sent back into your home.
Keeping the humidity in your home low isn’t just important for comfort; it’s also essential for protecting your health and property. High humidity encourages the growth of harmful microorganisms like mildew and mold, which can aggravate allergies, asthma, and respiratory issues. It also promotes the growth of dust mites, which can irritate your skin and lungs.
To lower the humidity in your home, you can use ventilation fans in bathrooms and kitchens, run your laundry and dishwasher at night, open windows, and regularly wipe down surfaces. You can also purchase a whole-home dehumidifier to work in conjunction with your air conditioning system to help you reduce humidity throughout your house. The combination of an air conditioner and a dehumidifier can lower the humidity in your home by 10 degrees or more, helping you feel cooler and breathe easier.
It Improves Your Mood
Many people don’t realise how important their HVAC system is to their mood and emotional wellbeing. Home Air Services, one of the highest-rated cooling and heating companies in Australia, explores how your premium air conditioner can influence your mood and well-being in a few key ways.
Consistent temperature control creates a pleasant and comfortable environment, reducing stress levels, promoting focus and enhancing productivity. This can improve your overall quality of life, ensuring that you’re always at the top of your game and ready to tackle whatever comes your way.
Being in an uncomfortable environment for extended periods of time has been linked to moodiness and irritability, particularly in hot weather. This is why you might notice children become fussy or tempers flare when the house gets too warm, and why road rage incidents happen more frequently during summer. Investing in high-quality air conditioning can help to keep everyone happy and mellow, preventing people from exploding under the pressure of excessive heat or humidity.
A clean and hygienic AC system also keeps allergens like mildew, fungus, and bacteria at bay. These contaminants can cause breathing issues, aggravate allergies, and leave you feeling worn down and sick. Regular exposure to these toxins can also have long-term effects on your mood, and an effective air conditioning system will prevent them from circulating throughout your home. This can make a huge difference to your comfort and your mood, as you’ll no longer have to deal with constant headaches and other symptoms of poor indoor air quality. This means that you’ll be able to spend more time doing the things that you love and enjoying your life. So, why not make the switch to premium air conditioning today and start reaping the benefits?
It Helps You Sleep Better
Air conditioning isn’t just about comfort; it can play a significant role in improving your sleep quality and overall health. By maintaining optimal sleeping temperatures, reducing humidity levels, improving air quality and providing white noise effects, air conditioning can help you enjoy better rest and a higher quality of life.
Optimal sleep requires your core body temperature to drop at night. This process signals your body that it’s time to go to sleep, triggering the production of melatonin and slowing down your heart rate. A cool environment can accelerate the onset of sleep and improve your sleep duration and depth, leaving you feeling refreshed and energized throughout the day.
The ideal sleeping temperature is between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius. A warmer environment inhibits this natural thermoregulation process, resulting in a lack of quality sleep. However, an overly cold environment can also inhibit this process, causing your body to work hard to maintain its temperature, leading to restless sleep and increased wakefulness. Air conditioning provides precise temperature control, ensuring your bedroom remains within this optimal range.
If you’re having trouble getting enough high-quality sleep, the first thing you should do is check your air conditioning system. A dirty filter could be preventing the proper flow of cool air and compromising your comfort. It could also be a sign that your air conditioner needs to be serviced or replaced. Luckily, modern air conditioners feature energy-efficient settings that allow you to keep your home at the perfect sleeping temperature while saving money on your power bill. A professional can help you select the right settings for your home and make the most of these energy-saving features.
