If you already suffer from a condition such as asthma, you likely understand the importance of proper airflow and breathing clean air. Installing an air conditioning system is an excellent way to ensure effective heating and cooling, as well as proper ventilation, in our homes and offices. However, an important question remains: can this system also purify the air?
This article explains the essential details you need to know about your air conditioning system and how you can maximize its use to enjoy heating and cooling comfort while breathing cleaner, purified air.
An air conditioning unit is a system whose primary function is to cool an indoor space. Air conditioners are most effective in enclosed areas, as the cooling effect can be maintained and properly circulated.
An air conditioning unit operates using a fan that ensures even circulation and distribution of cooled air. It replaces warm air with cooler air, providing comfort to the occupants of a space.
It is important to note that air conditioning systems are not only beneficial for people, but also for heat-producing equipment such as computers and amplifiers.
Simply put, your air conditioner works in much the same way as your refrigerator. An air conditioning system consists of several components that work together to replace warm air inside your home with cooler air. These components include the compressor, condenser, fan, and evaporator. While the compressor, condenser, and fan are external units, the evaporator is located indoors.
The indoor unit contains a coil housing the evaporator. The evaporator allows the refrigerant (the cooling fluid inside the coil) to evaporate and absorb heat from your home, sending cool air back into your living space.
The outdoor unit is where heat from inside your home is released. The heat absorbed by the refrigerant is pumped to the external unit and passes through the compressor, whose primary role is to circulate the refrigerant throughout the system. This allows the refrigerant to be reused to cool your home efficiently.
The refrigerant is compressed to a higher pressure and then flows through the condenser, another outdoor component. As it passes through the condenser coil, a fan blows air across it to cool the refrigerant. Once this process is complete, the heat from your home is expelled outside. The refrigerant is then pumped back into the system, and the entire cycle repeats.
The air filter is a component of the air conditioning system that is often overlooked. However, it plays a crucial role in ensuring your HVAC system functions properly.
An air filter is typically made of fiberglass material enclosed in a cardboard frame. Air filters act as air purifiers by trapping contaminants and particles such as dust, dirt, bacteria, microorganisms, hair, and pet dander as air circulates through your home or office. These contaminants can contribute to health issues such as chronic asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory problems.
The air filter cleans the air returning to your system by capturing contaminants as the air passes through it.
Different air filters offer varying levels of filtration based on their MERV rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value). This rating ranges from 1 to 16, with higher MERV ratings indicating greater air purification efficiency.
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Your home’s ventilation ducts play a vital role, distributing airflow from your heating and cooling systems throughout the house to maintain consistent comfort at all times.
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