1 0   T I P S   T O   I M P R O V E   R E L I A B I L I T Y

AIRCONDIT IONING

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I N T R O D U C T I O N

How does air conditioning enhance workplace

productivity?

Air conditioners do, on occasion, perform sub-optimally.

Sometimes they even outright break and need to be replaced.

All this downtime can have a severe impact on the work or

home environment the AC unit was tasked with cooling (or

warming). This is particularly so when you consider the times

at which these units are most likely to break, namely at the

height of summer, when they are being taxed most arduously.

With that in mind, let's take a look at ten tips which will help

you to get more reliability from your AC unit.

M A N U F A C T U R E

1 Choose a good design of AC

Air conditioners are highly sophisticated units which rely on a

lot of clever internal mechanisms. Some brands will invest

heavily in testing and research and development, in order to

ensure that their products are as reliable and effective as

possible. Others, however, will not. Go for a reputable brand in

order to ensure the best possible levels of reliability. Buying an

ISO-accredited system will help to ensure quality.

2 Manufacturer support

Another considerable advantage of opting for a reputable

manufacturer is the support they can provide after they have

sold you the machine. Whatever precautions are taken, it is

almost inevitable that, from time to time, faults will develop. It is

extremely helpful to be able to consult the manufacturer during

such occurrences, as it will enable you to get the fault fixed as

quickly as possible.

I N S T A L L A T I O N

3 Choose an AC unit appropriate for the environment

AC units come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, each

designed to cater to a specific sort of indoor environment.

Larger spaces will require more complicated, centralised

systems; smaller ones may only require tiny window-mounted

units. The longevity of a unit can be influenced by its suitability

for its task. If a smaller unit is being overly stressed trying to

heat an environment too large for it, it will tend to break down

more often.

4 Ensure that the unit is properly installed

An inexpertly-installed air conditioner can result in large costs

further down the line. In order to avoid this risk, it is important

that an air conditioning unit is installed properly by qualified

professionals.

M A I N T E N A N C E

5 Ensure that the unit is properly commissioned

Just as correct installation is important, so too is correct

commissioning. Ensuring that the pipes are properly vacuumed

and that the refrigerant is properly charged. Failure to do this

will result in mechanical failure later on. If in doubt, enlist a

qualified professional to commission the system.

6 Ensure that the unit is properly maintained

An air conditioner is a complicated piece of machinery. In order

to avoid the stress of sizeable bills further down the line, it is

advisable that air conditioning units receive regular

maintenance. This will help to address any faults which might

have developed with the unit before they have a chance to inflict

appreciable damage on it.

W O R K L O A D

7 Use automation to reduce the unit's workload

The more the air conditioner has to work, the more wear-and-

tear it will accrue. There are certain times of day when the

conditioner will be used less often – perhaps during the evening

when fewer people will be around and the temperatures are not

quite so extreme. By setting the system to switch off during off-

peak times, a great deal of energy and money can be saved.

Using an air conditioner less will thereby increase its lifespan

and ensure that it will be there when you need it.

8 Keep doors and windows closed

Opening doors and windows will adversely affect the air-

conditioner's ability to control the temperature. It will allow warm

air indoors, which the unit will then be forced to cool or vice

versa. This will further stress the unit and diminish its lifespan

with no gain in temperature whatsoever. If you must open a

window, then do so sparingly and ensure that the AC unit is

switched off first.

S P A R E S

9 Avoid extreme temperature settings when the unit is first

switched on.

When we first turn on our air-conditioners, we are often tempted

to dial in temperatures a little cooler than we really need. We

then later have to come back and pull them back in the other

direction, since the unit may overshoot its intended temperature.

In order to avoid this, try to avoid extremes in temperature and

keep the air conditioner set to a happy medium.

10 Keep a stock of spares

If you want to reduce downtime to an absolute minimum, then

you should consult the manufacturer to see which components

are the more likely to break. This way, when repairs are needed,

there will be no need to wait for these spares to arrive, as they

will already be there on the premises and will be ready to go

when needed.

C O N T A C T   U S

ADDRESSAll Seasons Climate Control Ltd

Unit 5 Prospect Business Park

LoughtonEssex

IG10 3TR

CONTACTinfo@allseasonscc.co.uk

Telephone: 020 8502 4540