Regular maintenance is very important to keep an air conditioner in good shape and give optimum, hassle-free performance.

Depending on the usage of the air conditioners it usually loses about 5 to 10 % of its efficiency every year. If you purchase a 12 SEER unit and use it for 3 - 4 years, its capacity will equate that of a 10 SEER unit. The efficiency lost can be retrieved through maintenance to a large extent.

With regular tuning and cleaning, an air conditioning unit will retain its operational efficiency. So instead of waiting for a failure and incurring additional repair costs and heavy electricity bills one should get the unit serviced. The most important element that requires a tune-up is the air filter.

A system that is low on coolant, will cost more to operate. If your air conditioner has a leaking system, the first thing you should do is to fix the leak. Freon, a chlorofluorocarbon, damages the earth’s protective layer, which is the ozone layer.

The energy efficiency of air conditioners is based on many factors. Of these, BTU and EER are the most important factors on the basis of which air conditioners are judged.

BTU stands for British Terminal Unit. The capacity of an air conditioner is directly proportional to the BTU. Therefore, higher the BTU, higher will be the capacity of the conditioner. For a window conditioner, the BTU can range from 5,000 to 18,000. If you want to buy an air conditioner for your room, the capacity of the conditioner will be determined by multiplying the square foot area of your room by 35.

On the other hand, EER means Energy Efficient Ratio. This helps you to know how energy efficient your air conditioner is. If the air conditioner is more efficient, the electricity bills will be less.

Apart from efficiency, the looks and style of the air conditioner unit also matters to some. The choice will vary from person to person and will depend on each individual’s tastes, but you would obviously prefer an air conditioner that matches the interior of your room.

You have made a hefty investment in an air conditioning unit and therefore it is important that you take proper care of it, so that the system works at an optimum level for a longer period. To keep your air conditioner in a proper state, one should know the basic maintenance methods.

Many people are unaware of the fact that an air conditioner keeps losing its efficiency as time goes by. If not looked after properly, the air conditioner loses 5% of its efficiency every year. If the air conditioner has a good rated capacity, it should work well for 15 years or more. A well maintained air conditioner will work efficiently during its entire lifetime.

It is better to check an air conditioner system every now and then. This is not a very difficult or elaborate job as only a few steps need to be followed. The first check is just an observational check to determine if there are any leaks or sounds that are unusual and also a check of the condenser tubes drainage. The next step is the checking of the air vents, registers and filter. Unclean filters cause the air conditioner to overwork. If not cleaned or replaced regularly they cause the air conditioner to work inefficiently. The cleaning of the compressor is also important. When not in use, the compressor must be covered.

Every buyer should be aware of the following things when buying a Split air conditioner:

The size
A 2-ton ac will be able to cool a large area of 250 sq ft. whereas a 0.75 air conditioner will be able to cool an area of 35 sq ft. The buyer should not get confused regarding the various sizes of air conditioners and should buy the one which best suits his requirements.

Installing
A hole is required to install a split AC, the depth of the whole is usually 3 inches in diameter. You should decide the place of installation before drilling any hole in the wall to prevent any unnecessary damage to the wall.

Tubing
Tubing is an additional component that is required for the split air conditioner to function properly. It is an additional purchase from the market and acts as a connector between indoor and outdoor units.

Installation cost
Help from a professional is required when it comes to installation of the Split AC. Therefore, buyers should consider the cost of installation when buying a Split air conditioner.

There are a number of brands available on the market, each having their own set of features. However the buyer should not stick to poor brands just to save money as it will cost them more in the long run.

In the scorching summer heat it is very normal for people to rush into their homes so as to enjoy the comfort of their air conditioned rooms. Bringing down the room temperature is one function of an AC; the other critical function of the AC is to filter the air that enters the house. For this, the air conditioning needs to have a very good filtering system.

An air conditioner with an inbuilt air cleaner is the best option for those concerned about the quality of air that the occupants inhale. Having a good air conditioner is fine, but it is also important to keep in mind the health aspect. It is a good idea to keep the windows and doors of the room open for some time so as to let the impure air out of the room.

For the efficient and effective working of your air conditioner and to ensure you have pure and clean air in your house, it is of the utmost importance to regularly replace and clean the air filter and also keep a check on the air conditioner’s smooth working. You need to be aware of the working of your air conditioner and not wait till it collapses to repair it. Periodic maintenance is good for the health of the air conditioner as well as the occupants - be it your family members or your employees.

Professional air conditioning companies supply air conditioners to rent that would best suit your individual requirements at work or home.

One major benefit of an air conditioning rental service is that they provide you with regular maintenance and service. Other benefit to the consumer is that they can test the equipment before they buy an air conditioner for themselves. If you just want to use air conditioners for summer and do not want to make a big investment, then renting an air conditioner is the best thing to do.

There are two types of air conditioners, window air conditioners and portable air conditioners. Window air conditioners are installed on the window and excellent for the home and for small offices. These are the most common air conditioners around the world.

An air conditioner makes the working and living environment comfortable for you, your family members and staff. People are generally happy when they spend time in a comfortable temperature. Office environment plays an important role in the working of the staff members so that they work effectively and efficiently.

One of the obvious benefits of an air conditioning system is their air purifying qualities, which is very beneficial for people who have dust allergies and are asthma sufferers.

When renting an air conditioner on should choose an expert air conditioning company with high-tech and modern air conditioning units.

The simple maintenance and cleaning of the air conditioning unit can solve most of the problems that people face in the smooth running of the cooling system. Regular cleaning of the air conditioner grille and filter is helpful for the proper working of the AC, in an effective, cost-efficient way. Regular cleaning of the air filter is needed to see that no dust particles choke the flow of air.

The AC’s power should be turned off before any repairing is to be done. Removing the grille is an easy task. Care needs to be taken if the fan is attached to the grille. The person repairing the AC should keep in mind that no wires remain loose. It is important to remember the order in which the wire and other parts were connected.

If at times the AC does not switch on, it could be due to a broken fuse. Repairing a fuse is not a big task. The manual can guide you on replacing the fuse. On the other hand, a simple replacement of the duct can solve the problem of leakage. The manual is really a good guide to solve most of the problems of the AC.

When the AC cools the room too much, the problem is usually with the thermostat. The heat pump may also cause unexpected temperature swings if it is broken. Thermostats and heat pumps need to be repaired by technicians themselves.

Air conditioners have become an integral part of our lives and many people can barely live without them. Homes, offices, educational places and industries are opting for air conditioners. It is very important to have air conditioners in an industrial area for the following reasons.

• Most industries have heavy machinery that generates a huge amount of heat. This could affect the efficiency and running of the machines if they are not cooled down or switched off after a period of time. Overheating could lead to disaster in any industry. Air conditioners cool the machines gaining service hours.
• People employed in the manufacturing industry have to work at a high room temperature that is generated around the machines. This makes them sweat and exhausts them. Air conditioners bring down the temperature levels, circulate the air and control the flow, resulting in healthier, cooler climate.
• High intensity centralised industrial air conditioners have a wide network of ducts which can reach almost all corners of the complex. They have ‘air boosters’, which maintain optimum cooling in an efficient manner. Some industries use natural gas instead of electricity in their centralised air conditioners from an environment-friendly perspective.

As summers are getting longer and hotter, the need of having an effective air conditioning system is increasing. Most workplaces get too hot and sticky during the summer season, which can make workers feel uncomfortable, thus affecting their output. Hence effective air cooling solution is a must especially, during the summer season.

If you do not want to invest a lot on air conditioners, the best option for you is to hire an air conditioning unit only for the hot summer season. After the installation of an air conditioning unit in your office, you yourself will notice the difference. The output of your employees will increase as they work in a more comfortable climate. You just need to pay for the hiring cost of air conditioners, saving precious resources.

On the other hand, if you buy an expensive air conditioning unit and use it only during the summer months, you may end up tying up additional capital. Hence it may make more sense to hire an air conditioning unit as and when needed as opposed to purchasing one.

Here are some ways to cut your air conditioning bills by following some energy- saving tips this summer:

•    Tip 1: Buying a high efficiency unit is more costly, but it will be cost effective and save on your electricity bills in the long run.
•    Tip 2: Have regular maintenance checks on your system, replacing the filter on a regular basis especially during the summer.
•    Tip 3: Lights in the house emit heat, which make the air conditioner work even harder. You should turn off the lights when they are not needed.
•    Tip 4: If the air conditioner is placed in the sunny side of the house, install awnings which give shade.
•    Tip 5: Draw the drapes which will help to keep the room cooler and thus save the air conditioner from using more energy.
•    Tip 6: Also consider installing reflective tinted window panes to reduce the amount of heat coming in.
•    Tip 7: If you are using a central air conditioner, make sure that you seal any rooms that are not in use.