Category

Air Conditioning

0
Understanding Your Air Conditioner

Understanding Your Air Conditioner

By | Air Conditioning

Whether you’re a proud new owner or a veteran user, it’s always a good idea to get to know the components of your air conditioning system. It’s general knowledge that most people tend to neglect until problems arise. Air conditioners, like most things, need regular cleaning and maintenance to make sure that they keep working efficiently.
Understanding Your Air Conditioner

Learning about the different components of your air conditioner unit can help you understand what needs attention and when, and will help your system to lead a long and healthy life. Here are some standard components of most air conditioner units.

Refrigerant

Refrigerant is a substance that has the unique characteristic of a very low boiling point, which helps it to change from a liquid to a vapour at relatively low temperatures. Refrigerant is pumped through the different components of an air conditioner like blood and changes from liquid to gas as it collects and expels heat from a room.

The level of refrigerant in your system is called the charge and any leak to will lower this level, decreasing the efficiency of your air conditioning. Depending on your refrigerant, it can be a hazardous pollutant, so it’s best to contact your HVAC professional to check your levels.

Compressor

The compressor is one of the main components of every air conditioner unit. It is responsible for pumping and pressurising refrigerant through the components so that the condenser can do its work.

Condenser

Refrigerant reaches the condenser as a pressurised, heated vapour before passing through the condenser’s coils. A condenser fan blows air over thin metal fins that lie on the coils, which conducts heat. The refrigerant then turns back into liquid before it moves through to the expansion valve.

The compressor, condenser coil and fan are all contained in the box that sits outside called the condensing unit. It is important to check this unit regularly for dirt and debris that may build up, especially the condenser coils, which can be cleaned with a fine brush.

Expansion Valve

The expansion is the part of the air conditioning unit that does most of the cooling through a natural process – as gas expands, it cools. As the hot liquid passes through a small opening, it expands turning into a lower-pressure cool mist.

Evaporator Coil

This low-pressure cool liquid makes its way through to your air conditioners evaporator coil, which cools the air that blows over it, thereby cooling your home. The refrigerant then begins to warm up and eventually boils and makes it way back to the outdoor condenser unit where the cycle repeats.

Filters

Filters are located on the inside component of your air conditioner and remove dust particles, however, they may not function to the best of their ability if they are clogged. It’s important to maintain as well as regularly change your filters to avoid circulating dust throughout your home.

Most issues with your air conditioner are best left to the professionals, so if you have any questions about the different components of your unit, or would like to know more about installation or maintenance of electrical items please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

With over 9 years of experience under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing air con and electrical services of the highest quality. Get in touch with us today.

0

What to Consider When Buying an Air Conditioner

By | Air Conditioning

Australia is one of the hottest countries in the world, but it also gets a winter chill, so there are no surprises why most Australian households choose to have air conditioning installed. Despite this, no two households are the same, so it’s not as simple as picking up any system and hoping for the best. There are many things that need to be considered when buying an air conditioner to make sure that you optimise your energy use and get the best unit for your money.

When it comes to buying an air conditioner, it’s important to find the best system for your home. Here’s what to consider when buying an air conditioner.

Location

Where is your home situated? Australia has a wide variety of climates, from extreme heat up north to the colder climates in the south. Your climate should be a major consideration when choosing the type of air conditioning system for your home. If you’re only likely to ever need cooling, then you only need to invest in a cooling-only system. Temperatures in some parts of Australia are known to fluctuate quickly, in this case, you may need to consider a reverse cycle system.

Type of Air Conditioner

Once you’ve thought about your location, it’s probably a good time to have a think about what type of air conditioner is most suited for your home

• Split systems – Split system air conditioners suck out heat and blow out cold air into a single room. They are made up of a wall mounted unit inside, with a compressor that sits outside. An upside of having the compressor outside is that the system is much quieter than other units, however, the downside is that these systems are generally not powerful enough to cool a whole home. Split systems are mainly both heating and cooling.

• Reverse systems – Reverse system air conditioners can blow out hot or cold air, so are great for those living in variable climates. They are usually more expensive than systems that only blow out cool air.

• Portables systems – If you have a small room or apartment, then a portable air conditioner may be all that you require. An added bonus is that they can be moved around to where they are needed, however they are usually ineffective in larger spaces.

• Wall/Window systems – Wall/Window-mounted air conditioners are an older technology that is less common. The interior face pumps hot air through the wall or window via a hose, however, they can be noisy, bulky and require outlet power.

• Ducted systems – Ducted air conditioning is the most expensive type of system, and requires the extensive installation of ducts underneath or in your ceiling space your home, as well as an exterior compressor unit. An upside is that ducted systems are the most efficient systems, and many offices and commercial spaces choose these systems as well as domestic properties.

Size and Power

One of the main considerations when buying an air conditioning unit is the size and power needed to cool or heat the space. Air conditioners that are underpowered will need to work hard to maintain a constant temperature, which can reduce their lifetime, while overpowered air conditioners will use more energy than needed. The following factors should be carefully measured before making your choice:

• Room size – The size of the room or rooms that a single unit needs to cool or heat.
• People present – People emit heat and areas that are more often populated will need more cooling energy.
• Appliances and furniture – furniture can absorb energy from heating and cooling and electrical appliances often give off heat of their own which needs counteracting.
• Walls facing sun and windows – Windows and sunny walls heat a room, increasing the cooling load of an air conditioner.

It’s recommended that you purchase an air conditioner unit with 125 watts for every square meter that needs to be cooled, but the best way to find a system that is right for your home is to hire a professional to take a look.

If you have any questions about the right air conditioning system for your home, or would like to know more about installation or maintenance of electrical items please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

With over 9 years of experience under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing air con and electrical services of the highest quality. Get in touch with us today.

0
Busting the Myths About Ducted Air Conditioning

Busting the Myths About Ducted Air Conditioning

By | Air Conditioning

When it comes to ducted air conditioning, it can be easy to get carried away with myths and assumptions. Family and friends will always have advice to offer, but what really matters is getting the right system working in your home. So let’s take a look at some common myths about ducted air conditioning so you can make the best decision for yourself.
Busting the Myths About Ducted Air Conditioning Huntercon

There’s a lot of assumptions behind ducted air-conditioning, but finding the truth can save you money and keep your home at the perfect temperature all year long. So let’s take a look at some common myths about ducted air conditioning so you can make the best decision for yourself.

Bigger Systems Are Better

When it comes to ducted air conditioning systems, bigger is not necessarily better. A system that is too large for your home will not only cost you a lot more money to run, but could be overkill. Another downfall of a system that is too large is that it may compromise the functioning of the thermostat, which should be optimised to switch on and off when needed. A bigger system will cause a shorter cycle, increasing wear on the unit. It’s important to talk to a ducted air conditioning specialist, as they can take appropriate measurements to find the size most suited for your home.

Ducted Air Conditioners Use a lot of Energy

There’s no way around it, all air conditioning units use energy, however, modern manufacturers realise that consumers desire efficiency to save on bills and reduce their environmental impact. Companys are constantly developing new technology that increases the efficiency and performance of their ducted systems. If your system is starting to get old, you might be amazed at the energy you could save by installing a new system.

Setting Air Conditioning on Max Cools the Room Faster

Admit it, you’ve tried this one. Maybe it was that 40-degree day last summer and your first thought was to crank your air con system to the max. What you probably didn’t know is that ducted air conditioners cool at the same rate, regardless of the thermostat setting. If you set the temperature lower, it will just keep working until it reaches the desired temperature, which might be too cold and will end up costing you unnecessary amounts of energy. Instead, consider investing in a smart thermostat with a timer, which can set your house to a comfortable temperature before you get home.

Ducted Air Conditioning Systems Are Inefficient Because of Leaks

People assume that because ductless systems do not have ductwork, they are more efficient as there is no chance that air leaks can compromise the system. This myth is only based on poorly installed or maintained ducted air conditioning systems, and in fact, ducted systems are far more efficient at maintaining the temperature of a whole house.

If you have any questions about ducted air conditioning or would like to know more about installation or maintenance of electrical items please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

With over 9 years of experience under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing air con and electrical services of the highest quality. Get in touch with us today.

0

Signs it’s Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner

By | Air Conditioning

Air conditioning keeps us cool in summer and warms us up in the winter, but like all appliances, one year will be its last. No matter how well you maintain and service your unit, there will come a time when it starts to lose its efficiency and break down.

The worst case scenario would be your unit giving up in the middle of summer, right when most tradespeople are at their busiest, meaning it could be weeks before you can get a new system installed. To avoid a disaster scenario, you need to be prepared to look for the warning signs that may mean it’s time to replace your air conditioner.
Signs it's Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner

Nothing lasts forever, and like all appliances, your air conditioning unit will one day stop working. Before this happens, it’s best to look out for the warning signs so that you can be prepared. Here are some signs it might be time to replace your air conditioner.

 

Lack of Air Flow

If you hold up your hand to your air conditioning unit and you find that there isn’t a lot of air coming out, or that it just doesn’t seem to push fresh air across the room like it used to, there could be problems with your air conditioner’s compressor or its vents could be blocked or damaged. Depending on the age of the unit, this may be a small maintenance issue, or something more serious, but if you notice it in conjunction with other signs it might be a good idea to call your air conditioning specialist.

Strange Smells

Have you noticed a strange smell every time your air conditioning unit is turned on? Unusual smells could indicate a problem with your fans, ducting or filter, such as a build-up of dust or mould, or even something more detrimental to your system.

Your AC is Leaking Fluid

Condensation around an air conditioning unit is pretty normal, however, excessive leakage of water can point to a more serious issue with your system. Leaking coolant can be a health risk, and water can damage floors, furniture and carpet, so it’s best you address the problem right away.

Your AC Unit is Making Unusual Noises

It’s pretty normal for an air conditioner unit to have a slight hum, but if it’s anything louder like a clicking, grinding, rattling or whining sound, particularly while starting the unit up, it could be a sign of parts moving when they shouldn’t be. Running a unit in this condition could cause it further damage, so it’s best that you seek the advice of a professional before continuing to run your system.

You’ve Noticed a Sudden Increase in Your Energy Bills

If you have noticed a sudden hike in your energy bills, it’s a good idea to ask an electrician to do a thorough energy audit. Your air conditioner could be the culprit. Any machine that is overworked or damaged could easily be losing its efficiency, costing you more money each month.

Your System is Older than 10-15 Years

The average air conditioning system lasts between 10 and 15 years, so if your system is any older, you can probably expect to see some problems arise.

If you have any questions about air conditioning or if you think it’s time to replace your system please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

With over 9 years experience under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing air con services of the highest quality. Get in touch with us today. If you have any questions about your AC system or would like to know more about installation, maintenance, or replacing filters, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

HunterCON SPECIAL

Daikin Air Conditioner Install for $1,550+GST


For a limited time we are offering the Daikin 2.5kw split system air conditioning which is perfect for a bedroom for just $1,550+GST which includes supply and install.

T&C: Based on a single storey home in Sydney, back to back installation and electrical power circuit included. Offer ends April 1st 2019.

Fill out the form and one of the HunterCON team will aim to get back to you as soon as possible.

02 8540 9864

[email protected]

0
Air Conditioner Symbols

Air Conditioner Symbols. What Do They Mean?

By | Air Conditioning

Ok, so you’ve just had a brand new air conditioning unit installed. It’s a scorching hot day, and you want to put your new system to the test… but when you pick up the remote, you can barely read it!

The controls on a new air conditioning unit can be a little confusing at first, it might even look like another language to those who haven’t had a system before.

Different manufacturers may use slightly different symbols, however, you’ll also find a lot of commonality between different remotes. This article is here to explain some of the functions you’ll likely encounter.
Air Conditioner Symbols

If your air conditioning remote looks like a slab of ancient hieroglyphics, we’re here to help. This article should help to demystify the functions of your air conditioning unit.

 

Universal ‘On’ Button

The first one is pretty easy. It should look like a circle with a slit in it, and it’s the universal symbol for On/Off. You probably have one on your TV remote as well.

Plus and Minus Buttons

Also relatively straight forward, these buttons control ambient room temperature. As you’d expect plus is more, minus is less.

Snow Flake Symbol

Most air conditioning remotes will have something that resembles a snowflake, which activates cold-mode. This means the air conditioning unit will push out cold air.

Sun Symbol

The sun symbol is common on reverse cycle air conditioning systems, and activates the heat mode, meaning the air conditioning unit will push out hot air.

Fan Speed

The speed at which the air conditioning unit’s fan blows is usually indicated by a row or a stack of bars, the more bars, the faster the fan speed.

Automatic Mode

Automatic mode is usually depicted as a circle of arrows, sometimes with the letter ‘A’ inside. With this function engaged the unit will maintain a temperature after it has been reached. It’s available in hot and cool modes.

Quiet Mode or Silent Mode

Quiet or silent mode is often indicated by a symbol of a figure with a finger over their mouth, or sometimes a night time scene with a moon icon. This mode makes the air conditioning unit operate as quietly as possible, reducing fan noise to a minimum.

Vertical Air Swing

This function is often depicted as a rotating set of bars, sometimes with an indicative arrow. It can usually be set to static or rotating, which means the fans will angle down and up in a cyclical fashion.

Horizontal Air Swing

Horizontal air swing is similar to a vertical air swing, however, the function affects the horizontal axis. The symbol is usually similar to the vertical button but rotated 90 degrees.

Turbo Button 

Turbo mode makes the system run at full capacity for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the make of the unit. It is usually marked by a bicep symbol, an arrow that indicated motion, or simply by ‘turbo’.

If you have any questions about your AC system or would like to know more about installation or maintenance, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. With over 9 years experience under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing electrical and air con services of the highest quality. Get in touch with us today.

0
Home Heating and Cooling

The Basics of Home Heating and Cooling

By | Air Conditioning

There are many ways to heat and cool your home, such as opening a window or making a fire, but the most effective and controllable method is to use HVAC systems. HVAC stands for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning – three functions that control air quality and temperature within a building. The term can refer to split air-con units in a house to mazes of ducts, vents and pipes in a multi-story building.Home Heating and Cooling

These systems control temperature and air quality control by applying different principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer

 

The Three Steps of Heating and Cooling

The first step is sourcing the treated air, or air that has been cooled down when it is warm outside, or warmed air when it is cold. The cooled air from your air conditioner and the warmed air from your furnace, boiler or heat pump come from two different sources.

The second step is distributing the treated air, which is your systems way of moving the treated air in and around rooms. Hot and cold air usually share the same distribution, including ducts and fans.

The third step is the air’s control, i.e the thermostat. This step regulates the temperature of the system.

Heating

Heating systems come in a variety of forms, ranging from split AC units that heat a single room, to larger boiler systems that can warm a whole multi-story building through a network of ducts.
Another popular option is hydronic heating, which heats via a series of pipes that run through a building’s flooring, which is particularly effective if the building has a dense material as its foundation, such as concrete or stone.

A furnace style heater burns material to provide heat through ductwork, which differs to boilers, which heat water for steam radiators or for forced-water systems. Furnaces generally operate on propane or natural gas, while boilers use gas or oil to heat water.

Some air conditioning units are capable of reversing their cycle, forming a heat pump. In this system, the indoor evaporator coil swaps roles and becomes a condenser coil, which produces heat.

Cooling

Split cooling systems are the most common central cooling systems, these include an outdoor cabinet which houses a condenser coil, compressor and an indoor evaporator coil. The system works by sucking heat energy into the refrigerant of the evaporator coil. The transfer of energy cools the air before the refrigerant is pumped back into the compressor unit to continue the cycle.

Heat absorbed by the refrigerant is taken outside, while the cool air is blown inside to cool the building, meanwhile moisture that creates humidity is also condensed from the air in the process. The heating and cooling system of a building usually share the same ductwork for distributing treated air, especially reverse cycle units.

If you have questions about installing an HVAC system or would like to know more about installation, maintenance, or replacing filters, get in touch with HunterCON today. We pride ourselves on providing fast and efficient service of the highest quality.

0
Aircon Summer

How To Get Your Air Conditioner Ready For Summer

By | Air Conditioning

Christmas is coming and you know what that means? Summer’s coming with it. Before we get hit with those “How hot is it?” kind of days, make sure your air conditioner unit is prepared to keep you and your family cool. Getting your air conditioner in tip-top shape for summer means three things, efficiency, lower costs and fresh arctic breezes.Aircon Summer

As you might have guessed, most of the work in preparing your air conditioner comes down maintaining a steady airflow, as well as a bit of spring cleaning!

 

Here are a few key areas to consider, so you can be sure your air conditioner unit is running at 100% before the summer heat sets in.

Clean and Change Your Filters

Many people don’t know this but air conditioning filters need to be changed regularly and in the interim, a quick clean goes a long way to preserving your air flow. Filters are easily clogged and a build-up of debris can restrict airflow, meaning your unit will have to work harder to push out air. That’s power and money you don’t need to spend.

On central units, the filter is usually found behind a metal panel on the face of the blower – simply unscrew the panel and replace the filter. On window units, the filter is usually found on the face of the unit, behind a metal panel. Window units usually have permanent filters which require cleaning. After unscrewing the panel, clean the filter with a mixture of vinegar and water and allow it to dry out before refitting.

Clean the Condenser

Outdoor units tend to be more durable than their indoor counterparts, despite this, it’s important to check for dirt, leaves and twigs and anything else that could have built up over time. After removing foreign objects give the unit a good hose down.

You can make your life easy by mowing any grass or trimming any branches around the unit. Be sure to check that the concrete slab is steady and level, as an incline may mean the condenser has to work harder to make up air pressure. During the summer you should check the unit every week, hot temperatures and debris don’t mix!

Clean the Condenser Coils

For central air conditioning units, it is particularly important to check the condenser coils. The condenser should look like a fan with a cover, with vents or grills on the sides. To get to the coils you will have to remove the front and side panels as well as the protective grills.

You can use a coil brush or other soft brush, or even vacuum the coils from the outside of the unit. Heavy debris may require a commercial coil cleaner, which needs to be sprayed from the inside, away from the electrical components of the unit. If in doubt when using a liquid, cover the electrics with a plastic bag.

Check for Leaky Ducts or Pipes

Look for loose panels, loose joints and small holes in ductwork. You would be amazed how much a tiny leak can affect the efficiency of your overall system. Small leaks can be sealed with rubber or fabric-based tapes, but larger problems may require professional refitting.

The condensation line is another spot to check. This is the pipe that removes condensation from the unit. The moist conditions can create a perfect environment for algae to grow and clog your line. So if you suspect drainage problems, try unscrewing the pipe and cleaning it with an algaecide, which is available at most pool stores.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat can do you wonders. Not only does it keep your home at a comfortable, constant temperature, but it can save you a lot of money by levelling out the temperature when the room is at an optimum. Without a programmable thermostat, you’re likely going to be turning the unit on and off regularly, which means your poor-old air conditioner has to work harder for the same effect.

A programmable thermostat can also be really convenient, you can set it to be off while you’re at work, and to turn on a few minutes before your in the driveway. What’s better than getting home to a nice, cool house on those hot summer afternoons.

If you are having issues with your AC system or would like to know more about installation, maintenance, or replacing filters, get in touch with HunterCON today. We pride ourselves on providing fast and efficient service of the highest quality.

0
13 Tips Cool Summer

13 Ways To Keep Your Home Cool This Summer

By | Air Conditioning

It’s no secret that we’re well and truly getting into the warmer months, but when the mercury rises, what steps can you take to make sure your home is as cool as a cucumber?

We all know about cranking the air con or dialling up the fan, but there are other steps you can take to cool down your home and even save you a bit of money on energy bills.
13 Tips Cool Summer

Taking steps to keep your home cool will not only ensure you’re comfortable all summer long, but can also help reduce your energy bills. Here are 13 easy tips to follow.

Limit Your Use of Electronic Devices

Devices such as dishwashers, ovens, lights and even chargers all give off heat. Try to limit your use of these items and switch off ones that you don’t need to use regularly.

Watch the Windows

A lot of heat comes through the windows of your home, which you can reduce by creating a bit of shade. Awnings and strategically planted trees go a long way, as do reflective coatings on your windows.

Open/Close

During the hottest part of the day, keep your windows and curtains/blinds closed, and in the evening open them to release trapped heat. Thin blinds won’t do a lot but thicker curtains certainly go a long way, and also make a big difference in the colder months.

White walls

You can’t block out all the heat, so a good way to deflect some is by painting your interior walls white. This also gives your home a nice modern touch.

Outside walls

What colour are your outdoor walls? How about your roof? As white deflects heat, black and other colours absorb it, so if you live in a hot climate lighter shades are going to do you the world of good.

Try Cooking Outdoors

It’s probably not the time for a roast dinner. If you haven’t already, invest in a BBQ, that way you can keep the heat out there, and also enjoy a bit of the outdoors with family and friends.

Dehumidify

If you live in a humid climate you’ll know how hard it is to get rid of excess moisture. No one likes being stuck in their own sticky sweat, so consider investing in a dehumidifier.

Venting

Here’s a little trick. Stovetop vents and bathroom and laundry fans are there to suck out hot air. If there’s a lot of heat built up in your home it can be a great way to get it out quick.

Insulation

Insulation is all about putting a barrier between you and the great outdoors. It comes in the form of thick foam as well as foil, and a combination of both can see your energy bills drop by up to 45%.

Use fans

Air conditioning is great, but using fans can help to supplement some of your energy bills. Try placing fans strategically to push air around the room.

A Cold Towel

Yes, really. It seems like an extreme measure but when the thermometers about to burst, a cold towel over the window goes a long way to reducing a room’s temperature, especially when combined with fans.

Use a Programmable Thermostat

Setting your temperature to a nice steady temperature such as 25 degrees will save way more energy than blasting your aircon at 18 degrees for short periods of time.

Make Sure Your Air Conditioner Unit Is Maintained Properly

Make sure to clean out your air conditioners filters as well as the condenser coils before summer. Any trapped debris or particles will negatively affect your units ability to keep you cool when it matters most. Do the spring cleaning so you can put your feet up come summer!

If you have any questions about your AC system or would like to know more about installation, maintenance, or replacing filters, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. With over 9 years experience under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing air con services of the highest quality. Get in touch with us today.

0
best commercial air conditioning service

Choosing the Best Time for Your Air Conditioning Installation

By | Air Conditioning

Choosing the right time to buy an air conditioner can be very tricky, but if you time it right it will end up saving you both time and money. Different people have different needs – maybe your old unit just broke down in spring or perhaps you’re doing a renovation over the summer holidays? There are a few factors to consider to make sure your air conditioning installation is the most seamless experience possible.best commercial air conditioning service

Renovations and major works are always a bit of a pain, but if you do your research and plan for the best time to complete your air conditioning installation, you’ll be laughing when the summer heat rolls around.

 

Installing Before a Home is Built

This won’t work for everyone, but the best time to install is actually before the house is constructed. Many high-set or two-story homes simply don’t have the space to install fully ducted air after they are already built. Even if they do have space, reaching up into the ceiling and down into the floors can be very difficult, and therefore costly.

Implementing an air conditioner in the process earlier will mean less plaster has to be cut later down the track. A good air conditioning installer or HVAC professional should also be able to advise you on the best location for the unit, so you can maximise cooling in summer and heating in winter. If the unit is built into the design of your house, you will save money in the long-term. Unfortunately, you may not be able to install air conditioning when you are building or renovating, so picking the best time will be a matter of choosing the right time of year.

Installing In Summer

If you’ve left buying your air conditioner until summer, it’s likely you’ve left it until the last minute. Choosing summer for your air conditioner installation is, simply put, not ideal. It is the busiest time for installations, so it will likely be more difficult to book a HVAC professional to come to your home. Meanwhile, you’ll be waiting in the sweltering heat with no cooling options.

Rushing in to a purchase in summer also means you may have not had time to do the research to find a unit that is best for your home. It’s important to get a system that suits the size and shape of your house, so any rushed appointments may mean you’re left disappointed with the outcome.

Installing In Spring or Winter

Picking a month in the off-season is a much better time to install an air conditioning unit, but be sure to choose the right time.

• Although spring may seem like a good time to install a system, it is actually a very busy time for air con installers, with many people thinking they are getting ahead for the summer season.

• Winter is a common option that many choose, but, despite some people owning fireplaces, a lot of people still use their air conditioning unit in the colder months, so new installations or replacements may still be crowding the market.

Installing In Autumn

The best time to install an air conditioning unit is in autumn, as the demand is at its lowest. After the summer, retailers often are overstocked with units, so it’s a good time to look for sales and discounts. You might grab a bargain picking up last year’s model.

• Fewer buyers means that it will be easier to book an installer or HVAC professional. Less demand might also mean that you can secure a lower price.

• Thinking about your purchase in the off-season also means that you have more time to research exactly what kind of system will work for your property. It can even be a good idea to get multiple evaluations and quotes for your house so you can shop around and get the best deal possible.

• By having your air conditioner unit set up in autumn, you have adequate time to prepare and maintain the unit before the weather starts getting warm again.

Choosing the right time to buy an air conditioner unit will save you time and money and will also make the process less of a rush, so you can make the best decisions for your home.

If you have any questions about your AC system or would like to know more about installation, maintenance, or replacing filters, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. With over 9 years experience under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing air con services of the highest quality. Get in touch with us today.

0
6 Cool Facts You Might Not Know About the History of Air Conditioning

6 Cool Facts You Might Not Know About the History of Air Conditioning

By | Air Conditioning

Air con – it keeps us cool in the summer and warm in winter, but we didn’t always have such a handy bit of technology. Air conditioning in the past was expensive and cumbersome, and before that people just made do! Here are 6 cool facts about the history of air conditioning.

There’s no doubting air conditioning is an awesome invention, but how did it come about?6 Cool Facts You Might Not Know About the History of Air Conditioning

From the humble inventor to the first fitted out car, here are 6 cool facts about the history of air conditioning.

 

Cool Paper

Willis Carrier is credited with designing the first air conditioner, however, not for the reason you may expect. The pioneering engineer came up with the idea to control the humidity in a New York publishing house.

The company had issues with their paper soaking up excess moisture and as a result, it would expand and contract, leading to ink that would dry unevenly and sometimes smudge. Thanks to Carrier’s invention, the company’s paper could dry uniformly, resulting in an even print.

Costly Cooling

Early air conditioning units were big and expensive, so as you would expect only those with large homes and lots of money could afford them. How much money? The first air conditioning units cost between $10,000 and $50,000 – and that was in the early 1900s. These days that roughly translates to $120,000 to $600,000!

Summer Blockbuster

‘Summer blockbuster’ wasn’t always a term people thought off in the warmer months. In fact, films were released at other times of the year, because before air con, no one wanted to spend time in a hot crowded cinema during summer. But this all changed in the 1930s.

Cinemas started to fit their venues out with air conditioning and were amongst the first businesses to do so. It was also a big financial risk as the technology wasn’t cheap, and it was the great depression after all. But it sure paid off. Soon summer movie sessions became very popular. The combination of fresh cool air and entertainment was all too enticing, and ticket sales went through the roof. Film studios caught onto the trend and began timing their releases for the summertime and before long the biggest releases of the year became known as the ‘Summer blockbuster.’

Dr Air Con

Air conditioning isn’t just great because it keeps the sweat off your back, it’s also good for your health! As it results in steady controlled temperature environments, air conditioning has allowed medical scientists to perform new procedures and experiments that have led to many innovations in the field. Many medications also need to be held at a certain temperature so that they keep, and in fact, the average life expectancy has increased as a result!

American researches have also found that air conditioning has decreased the chance of the sick and elderly dying on hot days, a statistic that has fallen more than 80 per cent in the last 50 years.

First Air Con in a Car

The Packard Super Eight, released in 1939, was the first car to be fitted with air conditioning. To be frank, it wasn’t exactly a hit: the car was very expensive and the whole system took up half of the cars boot space. There was also no built-in thermostat, so the only option to regulate temperature was to shut down the blower unit. The technology eventually became more practical and commonplace in the post-war period.

Before Air Conditioning

We might take it for granted now, but before air conditioning, people had to get pretty creative to keep cool in the warmer months.

• In ancient times people would live in underground houses or even caves to cool off in the summer months.

• In more recent times, buildings were constructed with higher ceilings, breezeways and shady eves to create a cooling effect. Architects no longer worry with such features since the advent of air conditioning.

• Stone was also a much more common building material before air conditioning. Although heavy and costly, it provided great insulation.

• It was a common practice to store ice blocks in a cool dark place during the winter. When the warmer months arrived the ice blocks would be used in homes for cooling and refrigeration. In fact, when air conditioning was first introduced, cooling power was measured as ‘ice power’, or the number of ice blocks needed to perform the same cooling.

• Before air conditioning, some workplaces such as warehouses, elevated offices and industrial manufacturing facilities were simply unbearable during summer, so many industries had months of holidays at a time. So, many people have air conditioning to thank for a lack of holidays!

From AC installations to repairs and maintenance, HunterCon always makes sure you receive the best possible service. We pride ourselves on providing fast and efficient service of the highest quality. If you’re looking for an air con installation quote, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. With over 9 years experience under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing Air Con services of the highest quality, Get in touch with us today.

If you have any questions regarding security in your house, or are looking for a quote for system installation, maintenance or repairs, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. With over 9 years experience under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing air con services of the highest quality. Get in touch with us today.