It is a known fact that air conditioners provide us with the luxury of cool air in hot and humid weather. Air conditioners were once considered to be a luxury for the rich and famous. However, due to changing times and improved affordability, air conditioners are now found in many homes.

The best part about an air conditioner is that it suits everybody. Whether the space available is small or large, there are air conditioners available which are specifically designed to function accordingly. There are two types of air conditioning units; the window air conditioner and the centralised or split air conditioner.

Both of these air conditioners serve the same purpose of providing cool air, but for different spaces. If the room is compact like a bedroom, then a window air conditioner is ideal. The tonnage of this type of air conditioner usually ranges from 0.5 to 2 tons. If space is abundant, then the cooling also needs to be well distributed. Centralised air conditioners are used for cooling larger spaces like offices.

Again, both types function differently. While the condenser of a window air conditioner is attached to the unit, whereas the condenser of the centralised air conditioner is located separately. The noise produced by the centralised air conditioner is also lower than window air conditioners. Dependent upon the amount of cooling one requires, the relevant air conditioning unit should be chosen.

Maintaining a soothing atmosphere helps you to be comfortable and be more productive either at home or at work. Using air conditioners is the conventional way to control the temperature of the room, but under certain circumstances evaporative air coolers can be equally effective.

Evaporative air coolers, unlike conventional air conditioners, do not require a sealed room to keep you cool. Evaporative air conditioners suck the fresh natural air into the room and push the stale, warm air out of the room.

Evaporative air coolers do not work on the refrigeration principle of air conditioners. Rather, they keep the natural outdoor air circulating in your room. Since evaporative air coolers work with your doors and windows open, it is healthier for you.

Evaporative air coolers are especially good for exceedingly dry areas. The outside air that is drawn in by the evaporative air conditioner has to pass through a pad which is rich in moisture. This simultaneously cools and filters the air. While the dry air passes through the moisturising pad it also picks up moisture and the dryness of the air is reduced.

Thus evaporative air coolers not only cool your rooms but also add moisture content to the dry air and help in better ventilation of the room. Evaporative air coolers consume much less energy in comparison to air conditioners. They create less noise and are environmentally friendly as they do not produce CFCs that harm the ozone layer.

Air conditioners were once a luxury accessible only for rich people. But with advanced and modern technology, air conditioners have become cheaper and easily available. Thus today you find an air conditioner in every other home. Air conditioners have not only become affordable but are available in so many types and varieties that you can easily find one that fits your requirements.

Today we have centralised air conditioning systems for large spaces like shopping centres, multiplexes, libraries, museums, etc; we have split air conditioners for big houses, offices and so forth; and fixed window air conditioner systems for smaller rooms and spaces. The latest addition is, however, the one that has made air conditioning accessible to everybody - the portable air conditioner.

Portable air conditioners can be moved anywhere in the home as they are small and have wheels fitted to legs. Thus they have no installation hassles like fixing it to the wall and the same unit can be used in different spaces. Portable air conditioners are best suited for people who live in rented homes or have to keep moving.

Initially, portable air conditioners were not technologically advanced enough to compete with their fixed counterparts but today portable air conditioners have every feature that the fixed air conditioner possesses. Portable air conditioners are also available with additional features like dehumidifiers, making portable air conditioners immensely popular.

Thus, with all these different types of air conditioners, you can no longer complain about not being able to find an air conditioner that fulfils all your requirements.

An air conditioner not only provides cool air to the room but also keeps the temperature controlled. An air conditioning unit not only helps in controlling the temperature but also reduces the humidity present in the room. While doing so, the air gets purified too. The cooling of air is merely forcing cool or cold air into a space, room or building. The easiest way to describe the way an air conditioner works is to compare it with the refrigerator that keeps your food cold.

Many homes have air conditioner units installed in the back yard or outside. While some have window air conditioners which are useful for cooling a smaller area, others have centralised air conditioners, which are efficient for larger rooms. Offices and other larger buildings have air conditioning units placed on top of the roof or in a large metal-like structure holding the system.

It does not matter what the shape or size is, as most air conditioners function in a similar way. The principle used in cooling is evaporation. A refrigerant in its normal state is a gas and this gas is used by the air conditioner and the refrigerator. The gas used is usually freon. The process of cooling within a refrigerator or an air conditioner is a cycle and has different phases.

There are different types of air conditioning units available. The most preferred air conditioning units at homes are window air conditioners, whereas in commercial places the most preferable air conditioning units are split and central air conditioners. The main purpose of all air conditioners is to cool the indoor environment, but the selection has to be done according to the actual amount of area that has to be cooled.

A window air conditioner is used for cooling an area that is small and compact. On the other hand, split air conditioners are used for places like offices and commercial organisations. In such places, air conditioners distribute the air equally.

Window air conditioners have two coils. One coil out of them is hot while the other is cool. Window air conditioners have two fans that blow the air above the coil which in return suck the heat as well as humidity from the room.

BTUs (British thermal units) are used for calculating the cooling power of an air conditioner. Another important aspect of the air conditioner that determines the cooling capacity and the price tag of the air conditioner is tonnage. Window air conditioner can rate anywhere 0.5 to 2 tons. As the tonnage increases, so does the cost of the air conditioner. Other features in the air conditioner depend upon the budget and requirements of the user.

There are different types of air conditioners that match the requirements of different users. Selecting an air conditioner for your home is a tough decision to make as there are different factors that have to be considered. If you have a small home then purchasing a central air conditioner will not add any value.

For small homes window air conditioners and portable air conditioners are perfect options as they are especially designed for smaller places. The problem with a window air conditioner is that it blocks your window and is not flexible. A portable air conditioner can be transported from one location to another. You can shift portable air conditioners to any room.

Portable air conditioners have an added advantage over other air conditioner in their own way. They are ideal for your office and home. They can be installed by anyone and it does not take much time. The best part is that for installing these units you do not have to do any drilling into windows and walls.

The convenience level of portable air conditioners is unmatched and these units are excellent choices for saving money. Portable air conditioners can cool one room at a time instead of the entire home. This will help you to save on total energy consumption. Reduced energy consumption will have a direct impact on your electricity bill.

Today air conditioning is a necessity which is important in every place, be it stores, shopping centres, offices, schools or your home. A single look at the summer temperatures of the past five years will show that they are becoming warmer every year. The heat sucks all your energy and has negative effects on your personality.

Air conditioning is necessary for you to live a happy and active life. There are many types of air conditioners available today. If you have a big house or you want to air condition your office or store then choosing a split air conditioning unit is the best option.

Installing split air conditioners is no doubt more expensive than other types of air conditioners but in the long run split air conditioners are more advantageous, especially for large spaces.

Split air conditioners have two units

1. Compressor and the condenser, which is placed outside the house.
2. Air handling unit which comprises an evaporator and a fan which is placed inside the room.

These units are combined together using a conduit which has tubing, a drain and a power cable.

Some of the many advantages of split air conditioners are that they produce less noise and help in maintaining a quiet environment, as the noise producing condenser and compressor are placed outside.

The installation of a split air conditioner is very simple as no ducts have to be made on the walls. This also gives you scope for innovative interior design. Split air conditioners provide the option of zone cooling and also help in saving energy.

A portable air conditioner is an excellent choice for cooling rooms at a lower cost. This is because it can be moved easily from one place to another as it is mounted on castors. The weight of a portable air conditioner can be as light as 36 pounds. The portable air conditioner cools only one room at a time therefore the consumption of energy is quite low in comparison with other air conditioners.

A portable air conditioner can be installed quickly as it does not require a duct, windowsill or window. The ability to shift from one room to another makes the portable air conditioner adaptable and useful. The centralised air conditioner cools a larger space and the window air conditioner cools a compact space, however there are times when a particular corner or spot needs to be cooled. For such purposes, portable air conditioners are the best.

The energy efficiency of a portable air conditioner is its greatest advantage. The average efficiency of a portable air conditioner ranges from eight to ten, although some may rate as high as 15, which is almost fifty percent better than the centralised air conditioner. The size of a portable air conditioner is an advantage as it can be easily accommodated in a room or in a corner. The portable air conditioner can also provide the benefits of an effective dehumidifier.

In days gone by, to cool the hot air, people would hang damp and wet sheets all around the home. The moment the hot air passed through the damp sheet it would convert into cool air and then the cool air would provide the hot sleepers with relief.

The evaporative cooler functions in a similar way, which is conversion of hot air into cool air. The evaporative cooler is a wonderful cooling mechanism for people who live in warm, hot, dry climates. Evaporative coolers are also known as swamp coolers. However, the name can be misleading because these coolers do not work in humid and swampy conditions at all.

The working of an evaporative cooler is simple. The machine contains a fan that sucks the hot dry air within the cooler where it is made to pass through pads that are damp. Water is circulated through the machine by a pump which helps in keeping the pads damp and moist. The damp pads also act as an air filter.

The temperature drops down by as much as 30 degrees Fahrenheit, while the dry, hot air picks up water thereby resulting in cool air which is blown all over the room. Evaporative coolers are extremely easy to use and affordable to purchase.

A dehumidifier helps in reducing the humidity and moisture that is present in the atmosphere. This is required because too much moisture in the room can lead to dust mites and other allergens. The content of moisture in the room is harmful to the health and could cause breathing or skin problems.

The basic operation of a dehumidifier is through condensation. If you observe the back of the air conditioner you will notice water leaking through it, this is because when the air becomes cold it can no longer hold the moisture. This moisture in the air is pooled. Then with the help of a dehumidifier, the air circulates, is cooled down and the moisture is thrown out from the back of the unit.

A dehumidifier is ideal for a place where there is high humidity in the atmosphere and it would be unsuitable to use an air conditioner. A dehumidifier needs to hold and remove water therefore before purchasing a dehumidifier it is advisable to choose one which fulfils both these functions.

Too much humidity is sometimes tougher to tolerate compared to hot air as the dampness encourages perspiration. Therefore, it is a must to use a dehumidifier if an air conditioner is not possible. As it requires the correct amount of water to be fed in and out, you have to regularly keep a check on the varying levels of water in the dehumidifier. It is also cheaper in price compared to a fully fledged air conditioner.