Find an Air Conditioning Engineer you can trust in Alford.

Are you planning to install a new climate control in your home or property? If yes, then there are a number of things you’d have to consider before making a financial commitment and that’s related to air conditioning planning permission. It’s crucial to equip yourself with the facts so as to avoid any hiccups along the ways and end up with an AC system that works well and complies with all relevant air conditioning regulations. In this post, we’re going to give you a good insight into planning permission for air conditioning in homes. Let’s take a look!

In general, majority of small air conditioning installations do not need planning permission. In other words, you don’t have to submit a planning permission application to install an air conditioning system in your home or property – if you want to, simply go ahead with it. However, there’s a need to ensure that your external air conditioning units meet some regulations. These regulations include:

• It isn’t bigger than 0.6m3
• It’s over a metre from the boundaries of any property
• It’s more than a metre away from the edge of a flat roof
• It shouldn’t be fitted on a pitched roof

In addition, you’d have to ensure that there isn’t a wind turbine on the property. For a more accurate information, it’s more advisable to reach out to your local authority for advice on air conditioning planning permission before installing your air conditioning unit. They’re in a much better position to advise you on how to ensure that your air conditioning complies with the relevant regulations as well as whether or not you’ll need a planning permission.
 

As the heat start to come up especially during the summer months, the swelter will mercifully be kept in check by air conditioning. The technology has made a significant impact on modern life and it can now be considered a norm for all new and modern homes. So if you’re also planning to fit new HVAC air conditioning systems in your home or property, you may also be interested in knowing exactly how it works. In this article, we aim to provide you with an in depth insight into how air conditioning operates. Now let’s take a closer look at the process!

✓ A grille at the bottom of the machine absorbs warm air from the room

✓ The warm air is transmitted over some chiller pipes through which a coolant fluid is circulating. Working in a similar fashion as the chiller cabinet in a refrigerator, this part cools down the transmitted warm air and any excess moisture is duly removed by a dehumidifier.

✓ The air is then transmitted over a heating element which is quite similar to the one present in a fan heater. On a cold day, this part of the unit can be turned up in order to allow the HVAC works as heater.

✓ A fan which is positioned at the top blows the air back through another grilled into the room.

✓ Coolant flows through the the chiller pipes. In the process, it carries heat from the air blowing past the pipes and then it evaporates - converting the cool liquid into a hotter gas. This heat is then transported to the outside of the building from inside the room.

✓ With time, the heat inside the building slowly blows away into the outside air.

NO - as air conditioning systems use fluorinated gases as refrigerants, all work on them must be done by professionals holding valid F-Gas certification. There is a range of different qualifications and certifications that apply for this, so it's always best to ask someone who is qualified to do this.

Also referred to as Freon, the refrigerant “R22 is a commonly used chlordiflouromethane that’s usually incorporated in air conditioning systems as well as many other refrigeration applications. However, because of the evidence discovered which shows the gas can contribute to the damage of the ozone layer, the refrigerant has now been banned since Dec 31, 2009 as it became legally required that any system making use of R22 and became faulty must be replaced.

Generally, R22 owners in commercial applications are now responsible for checking for leaks, record keeping as well as labelling of equipment using this type of gas. Failure to comply with these directives can lead to hefty fines.

Existing refrigeration and air conditioning equipment that makes use of R22 can still be used. However, the owner of the equipment will be denied any rights to purchase extra tanks of gas that’ll keep the equipment running. In the event whereby an air conditioning system requires a complete recharge of the R22 refrigerant, according to the law, it’ll be considered obsolete and therefore will have to be replaced. What’s more? As the remaining supplies of R22 starts to decline, the price of getting the refrigerant is expected to skyrocket. As a result, do not be shocked if the cost of purchasing more R22 to keep your current equipment running outweighs the cost of replacing your existing equipment with a new and environmentally approved one.

As R22 is gradually being phased out, there are new ozone friendly alternatives which are being introduced into the refrigerant market. Out of these alternatives, the most common one is the R410A, which is purely a combination of hydrofluorocarbons which does not deplete the ozone layer.

As the summer months draw nearer, you get better accustomed to the ambient noise produced by your air conditioning system which is constantly in operation to keep your home cool and comfortable for both you and your loved ones. During this period, it’s absolutely normal to expect a spike in your energy bill and wish to know how you can limit the expenses without having to sacrifice your home’s temperature. In this guide, we’re going to consider some of the major ways you can save energy in your home without having to sacrifice your air conditioning system. Let’s take a look!

1. Reduce phantom loads. This is an electronic appliance that still makes use of energy even when turned off and not in operation. These phantom loads are actually everywhere in your home but you just don’t know that the television, toaster or even your phone’s charger continue to suck electricity when they’re not in use.
2. Incorporate more energy-efficient appliances. Before making a purchase, ensure that the appliance has the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Label as they use 10 to 15 percent less energy than their counterparts.
3. Change out your light bulbs. The older your incandescent light bulb gets, the more energy it consumes. You can cut cost by reglarly changing them out.
4. Install a programmable thermostat. With such a device, you can adjust your home’s temperature to your schedule and needs to cover for the time when you would not be home.
5. Use fan. A cooling fan can significantly lower the cost of running an AC system.
6. Seal all air leaks. Blocking all air leaks in your home is a great way to ensure energy is well maximized
7. Make your windows more efficient.
8. Enhance you insulation
9. Conduct a regular servicing of your AC unit
10. Setting the air conditioning temperature higher at night

Air conditioning filters work mainly to collect dust from the air and as such, tends to get dirty pretty often with all sorts of materials such as hair fibres, pollen and more. If you have a large office, this gets even more important as more air circulates through your air conditioning system. Failure to change your office air conditioning filters when due can bring about of challenges not only to the system itself, but also to the health of the individual making use of the space especially those suffering from asthma or allergies (due to the reduction in air quality). So if you happen to have an air conditioning system in your office, you should probably find out how often it’s recommended to change the filters and that’s exactly why we’re here. Let’s take a look!

In the summer when the heat turns up there’s a huge need to change the office air filters on a regular basis ( at least once a month). This is due to the fact that your air conditioning system works extra hard and runs all the time during the warmer months. However, during the period when there’s a cool temperature, the air conditioning filter can be changed every 2 months as the unit wouldn’t be subjected to frequent usage during this period. What’s more? If you happen to have pets, a large family or live with an individual who suffers from asthma or allergies, it becomes a lot more important to change your air filters. Plus, a dirty filter is capable of increasing your energy cost within the range of 5 to 15 percent on a monthly basis.

If you have a conservatory constructed on your property, then you should be able to to tell how uncomfortable it can get considering the UK’s harsh climate. This climate can get swelteringly hot during the summer months and also quite chilly during the winter months. As a result of being constructed with so many plain glass, conservatories are usually at the mercy of the weather outside which often limits the usage of the structure to only a few months within the year. Hence, the need to have an air conditioning system installed by a reliable professional so as to ensure you enjoy your conservatory all year round. In this post, we’re going to consider some of the benefits you stand to derive by hiring experts to install your conservatory’s air conditioning.

• They possess the experience, skills and tools necessary to complete the project. When the construction job done right the first time, this will go a long way to save you both time and money on potential costly mistakes if you decide to undertake the project yourself.
• They can help keep your project on budget. When it comes to fitting appliances like AC systems, it’s usually very easy to go over your budget when done alone. Since expert conservatory air conditioning installers are vastly experienced in the field, they know the cost implication for the task and can help ensure you don’t overspend or go over your budget.
• They’re insured. The benefit of hiring an insured professional can’t be overstated. What this gives you is total peace of mind knowing fully well if anything goes wrong during the installation process, you’re fully covered by the expert’s insurance company.

As a business owner, you’d be aware before now that there’s usually a need to make financial commitment on some things that do not directly generate revenue or profit for the business. One of these expenses is an air conditioning which may not directly make you more money, but is known to provide a wide array of benefits in a work environment. If you’re still yet to be convinced about the need for an air conditioning system in your workplace, here are some reasons that explains to you why installing a heating and cooling system at your workplace can be a huge step forward for your business.

• No waste of working hours. According to several studies, when a work environment is overheated or not comfortable, workers’ productivity is always at the receiving end. In several cases, the employees tend to waste at least an hour of their working time as a result of the heat ( this number can even be higher in some cases). Also, they tend to avoid work when on their seat which is a big reason why installing an AC system at your workplace should never be overlooked.
• Improved employees’ health. For every business owner, the well being of your employees should be a top priority as this would imply a lower medical expenses and sick or redundant days. A relaxing and comfortable working environment will make the employees feel good and help them stay healthy which is crucial for improved productivity.
• It saves you money. Due to higher electricity consumption, several business owners tend to shy away from installing air conditioning systems. Compared to a normal fan, it does consume more power, however an AC system provides the better overall savings in the long run.