Air Conditioning UK: An increasing number of residential homes across the UK are discovering the advantages of air conditioning, marking a significant shift from its traditional presence in office spaces, retail environments, and beauty salons. The change towards hotter summers, more precipitous winters, and the ongoing quest for energy-efficient methods to regulate the temperature within our homes has led to a rise in the adoption of air conditioning units in flats and houses alike. This trend reflects a growing recognition of air conditioning not only as a means to ensure comfort during extreme weather conditions but also as a tool for enhancing the energy efficiency of heating and cooling systems. However, the suitability of installing an air conditioning system in a UK property depends on various factors, including the building's design, insulation levels, and the specific needs of the occupants. As such, it's crucial to consider whether your home is an appropriate candidate for air-con installation, ensuring it aligns with both your lifestyle and the environmental characteristics of your property.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM AIR CONDITIONING?
Temperature Control: The utility of air conditioning systems, particularly during the sweltering summer months, stands as a clear solution, yet many in the UK overlook their capability to also heat homes effectively. Traditional methods of heating and cooling are increasingly seen as inefficient and outdated, especially as contemporary UK homes are designed to be more airtight and possess significantly reduced thermal mass. In such modern properties, installing a new air conditioning system can cater to all temperature control requirements, seamlessly transitioning from the coldest depths of winter to the prolonged warmth of summer. This versatility not only offers a convenient all-in-one solution for climate control but also aligns with the evolving architectural trends towards energy efficiency and improved indoor air quality in UK homes.
Air Purifying: With interior units which ionise and filter the air which flows through them, the air that enters your house is particle-free, clean and provides a major reduction in the quantities of pollen, dust and fumes from the outside.
Humidity and Ventilation: There'll be decreased humidity and improved ventilation as the movement of stale air from the inside of your property is replaced by filtered, clean air from outside. When in cooling mode during warmer summer months, your air con also performs a useful dehumidifying function which will help to minimise the growth of moulds and dust mites.
HOW EFFICIENT ARE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS?
All air-con units supply details to indicate their efficiency in heating and cooling:
A British Thermal Unit (BTU) is a rating that shows how efficient an air-con unit is at cooling down a given area. The higher this BTU number, the greater area the product is able to cool. An air con unit with a BTU figure of about 10,000 will be needed for a living room of 5 mtrs x 5 mtrs, for example.
EER is the Energy Efficient Ratio and provides a rating of how effectively the air conditioning system transforms electrical energy into cooling and heating. For heating there is one number and for cooling, a different one. The more efficient the unit, the greater the rating. A good example of a rating is 1:3. This signifies that for every 1Kw of electric power used, the unit can supply 3Kw of heating or cooling. This rating should be conveniently found on the aircon units.
By closing all doors and windows in the house and setting the internal unit to eco mode, the efficiency of an air-con system can be markedly improved. Also sometimes referred to as "silent mode", this function is useful in certain areas where you want noise to be kept to a minimum, and also for nighttime operation.
WHAT AIR CON UNIT IS SUITABLE FOR YOUR UK HOME?
If you are renting a house or flat in the UK it may not be a possible option, or even be permitted under your rental contract, to install a permanent air conditioning system. The solution in this case could be to purchase a portable air-con appliance, that you will be able to move from room to room as needed, and can even take with you if you rent a different property. These can be an excellent alternative for people on a tighter budget or who aren't allowed to have a permanent fixture, although they are apt to be noisier than permanent air con units. Aside from the fact that it can be set-up and running within minutes of unboxing, a portable appliance also has the benefit of not needing to be installed by a professional.
Air conditioning systems that are designed for domestic use is usually based on an indoor controller and vent, with an outdoor unit which includes the main heating and cooling equipment. These units will need to be professionally installed to obtain maximum performance and efficiency. The interior controllers can be found in a variety of patterns to blend in with your environment. You can choose from a ceiling cassette style installed centrally in your living space, a high level bulkhead unit which is mounted up on the wall, ducted vents, like those often found in hotels or low units which appear much like central heating radiators. All of these interior units have fairly similar characteristics, whatever one you choose.
If you are living in a listed building in the UK, there are options where no external units are needed. In situations where these are essential, internal condensing air conditioners are available which have a high level of performance and operate virtually silently. The advantage of having no external equipment means that, in most situations they can be installed in listed buildings and properties within conservation areas, but you should verify that with your local authority planning department before any actual installation begins.
AIR-CON MAINTENANCE UK
Even though modern air conditioning systems are usually dependable and long-lasting, to increase their potential service life, they'll need a little maintenance now and then. A meticulous check up will be essential at times, which is understandable when you consider how a fully functioning and optimised air con unit will increase the health benefits and efficiency, however some tasks, for example wiping down surfaces or cleaning external filters can be undertaken by the home owner.
An experienced aircon installation company in the UK should be able to provide you with various levels of service; from a routine maintenance plan for larger systems, to a once-only inspection of your external and internal air conditioning equipment. To give you a fair degree of reassurance regarding the reliability and future upkeep of your units, many companies will provide a parts and labour warranty on aircon equipment they install and maintain.
FINDING AN AIR CONDITIONING INSTALLER IN UK
Providing practical advice about the available systems, an experienced UK air conditioning company will evaluate your particular needs and come up with the most suitable solution. Although by phone or email, you may be able to successfully communicate cooling/heating requirements and room sizes, an experienced company will need to perform a site survey to be able to supply the optimum aircon solution.
The site survey will include measuring the precise dimensions of the rooms you wish to be air conditioned. There will be a suitable setup that meets your needs, from kitchens to loft conversions, family rooms to bedrooms. The electric supply and any associated connections will have to be inspected to be certain that your consumer unit and mains supply won't get overloaded by new air conditioning system. So that your particular air conditioning requirements can be fulfilled and certifications and guarantees provided, this survey will establish the appropriate size of system which is needed.
At this stage you should discuss if there are any maintenance programs and warranties that the installer offers on its aircon systems in the UK. The type of premises that the air-con is for, and the complexity of the system, will influence the kind of maintenance plan which is required, for example if it is for a commercial setup, like a bed and breakfast estabishment, an office building or a multi-occupancy property, or for a solely residential property in the UK.
It's always advisable to check if the UK aircon company you're looking at, features on the authorised installer list of the manufacturers who's products they're installing. They also need to hold a current F-Gas Certificate to be able to work legally on aircon equipment containing HCFC or HFC refrigerants. These should all be backed up with being affiliated with an acknowledged professional organisation or trade body like the ACRIB (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Board), which is regarded as one of the major air conditioning associations in the United Kingdom and offers insurance guarantees and training to its members, or the Institute of Refrigeration (IOR), which additionally provides membership to professionals in the air conditioning and refrigeration business.
The Maintenance and Servicing of Air Conditioning UK
Once your aircon system has been installed, it's vital that it is maintained and serviced on a consistent basis. Always try to use an air conditioning company in the UK that focuses on the maintenance and servicing of air-con units, as well as the initial installation. It is highly advantageous to have somebody on hand who can check your air conditioning units and determine whether a particular part or component needs replacing, because it is nearing the end of its useful life. There's very little doubt that this can be the difference between your unit continuing to give good service, or breaking down altogether.
We can confidently say that generally speaking the life expectancy of an air-con unit that has been neglected will be substantially shorter than one that is frequently serviced and maintained. Therefore, to keep your air conditioning functioning efficiently, reduce your energy bills and maintain a cool & comfortable temperature in your UK premises, make sure your equipment is well-maintained.
How often will an air conditioner needs to be serviced? Although frequent maintenance checks are not a legal requirement, they are generally recommended. It's advised that you have air conditioning equipment checked one time per year, even without noticeable issues, to make sure that it's performing to the best of it's ability. Your air conditioning equipment may need servicing if:
- If it takes longer than usual to get a room cool, this could well be because the coolant level is too low.
- If your appliance is noisier than it usually is, there may be a mechanical issue or perhaps the filters may be blocked and need to be changed.
- If your aircon costs more to run than usual, it might need to be tested.
UK Air Conditioning Tasks
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