Here in the UK, we’re not particularly well-known for warm, sunny days. Indeed, we’re much more likely to have weeks of wet, miserable weather than a few rays of sunshine. Because of this, you may be thinking that an air conditioner is a bit of a waste of money.
Blowing out fresh cold air for those especially warm days, an air conditioning system can make those times it’s insufferably hot much more bearable. Yet, because we don’t see much of that in the UK, many people don’t really consider air conditioners as a useful investment. However, what a lot of people don’t realise, air conditioning systems not only have the ability to keep spaces cool with fresh, cold air, they can also double up as heaters, ensuring that those cold winter months are bearable.
How an air con works
Before looking at how an air con heats a space, it’s useful to understand how a standard system works for cooling. All air cons, big and small, rely on a process known as the ‘vapour-compression refrigeration cycle’.
Firstly, the refrigerant inside the system is compressed into a high pressure, extremely hot gas that is then pumped into a component known as the coil. The refrigerant travels through the tube-shaped coil while its heat is extracted through a fan.
Turning back into a liquid, the refrigerant passes through an expansion valve, lowering the pressure before it is then moved into the evaporator. This component turns the chemical back into a gas, which then pulls heat from the air, producing a cold breeze which is then blown into a space.
Heat pumps
While heat pumps are in fact their own thing, they can be incorporated into an air conditioning system, meaning you can effectively heat a room without having to buy two different units. With the addition of a reversing valve, a heat pump basically works in reverse to an air conditioner, pushing out warm air instead of cold.
Many newer air conditioning units now come with a heating mode as standard, meaning with a flick of a switch, you can swap from a cool breeze to a warm, cosy heat.
The benefits
The two main benefits of investing in a heat-capable air conditioner are economic and environmental. A system with a heat pump will use less electricity on average than a conventional heater. This is because the electricity used isn’t to create heat but instead power the components which create heat naturally.
This means that you can cut down on energy bills while retaining the benefits of a warm space. Also, with less power output, you’re minimising your carbon footprint, making it a win-win!
Pinder Cooling: Premier air conditioning contractors
An air conditioner is much more than a cooling system and, with a quality contractor like Pinder Cooling, you can ensure you reap all the benefits a quality unit has to offer. With a range of refrigeration and air conditioning solutions, from installation to repair, you can rest assured you’re in safe hands.
For more information, visit our website or get in touch with our team on 01274 962 430.