Air Conditioning Systems
Air conditioning systems can provide welcomed relief in the heat of the summer. An air conditioning system serves to cool the air inside a building. The system may serve to cool the air in either a small room or throughout the entire house. The system that you choose will depend largely on the size of the area that you desire to cool, the temperature level you wish to maintain and structural limitations of the building. Some common types of air conditioning systems include unitary air conditioners, evaporative cooling systems and central air conditioning systems.Unitary Air Conditioners
Unitary air conditioners are small units in which all of the elements necessary for cooling the air are contained within the unit itself. These units are most effective for cooling small areas such as individual rooms or small apartments. These small devices have the capabilities of cooling, dehumidifying, filtering and moving the air. The overall effect of all of these aspects is that the ambient temperature becomes more bearable in the heat of the summer. These types of air conditioning systems are relatively affordable and easy to install but the downside is that these systems only cool a small area. If you have a larger space you may need to purchase several units or have some areas of your house that are not air cooled.
Evaporative Cooling Systems
Evaporative coolers work by using a powerful fan to blow warm air across a pad that is moist. This process cools the air through evaporation and also introduces humidity into the environment. The major advantage to this type of air conditioning system is that the cost of running this system is considerably lower than other cooling systems. An evaporative cooling system uses 60-80 percent less energy than a central air conditioning system. The introduction of humidity into the air can be considered an advantage in dry climates.
Central Air Conditioning Systems
Central air conditioning systems include the air cooling unit, ductwork and thermostat. This major advantage to this type of system is that it can cool an entire building very effectively. In this system the air cooling unit distributes cool air, via the ductwork throughout the building. The cool air is forced through the ducts and creates a comfortable temperature in each room of the house. The disadvantage to this type of system is that it can be costly to operate. The energy costs to operate this system are proportional to the effectiveness of the system.