These days, it is probably impossible to find a modern home or office without an air conditioner. This machine changes the temperature, humidity, or general quality of the air. An air conditioner makes your home cooler by drawing heat energy out of the house, transferring it to the outdoors, and then replacing the air inside your home with cooler air. Air conditioners are widely used in homes, offices, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and other establishments, to ensure comfort and suitable working conditions.

Types of air conditioners

There are six different types of air conditioners, each designed for a different space or reason. These six types of air conditioner units include basic central air conditioners, ductless, window unit, portable unit, hybrid, and geothermal.

• Central air conditioners
  A central air conditioner combines the evaporator, condenser, and compressor in a single unit that is placed on a roof or a concrete slab near the foundation. From the unit, ducts running through the exterior wall or roof draw air from inside the house and return cooled air to the indoors. This type of air conditioner can also be combined with a set of heating coils or a natural gas furnace inside the building.
• Ductless, mini-split air conditioners
  This is a good choice for houses that do not have ductwork. The ductless, mini-split systems combine an outdoor compressor and condenser with one or more indoor air-handling units. These units are mounted on the wall with blowers attached. Tubing connects the indoor and outdoor units and circulates refrigerant between them. Each room in your home will have a separate unit that cools just that room, like a window unit. These can be installed without tearing up walls and allow the temperature to be controlled independently in each room. They can be energy-efficient but expensive if you are cooling an entire house.
• Window units
  These are the most common types of air conditioner units for single rooms. All the components are enclosed in a single box, with a single thermostat gauge that is fitted in a slot made in the wall or windowsill where the unit sits.
• Portable units
  This is like a window system, but it can be moved from room to room. It is self-contained and freestanding on the floor. So, you can move it from room to room or apartment to apartment. It uses a single power outlet and needs a window to funnel out the exhaust air.
• Hybrid air conditioner
  Hybrid air conditioner units alternate between burning fossil fuels and using electricity to save money and energy while running your system. In the summer, the heat pump works as it normally does, pulling heat from your home and distributing it outdoors. In the winter, your hybrid heat pump system works in reverse, pulling heat from the outside environment and distributing it in your home.
• Geothermal heating and cooling
  As a newer heating and cooling method, geothermal technology can extract the heat from below the ground and transfer it into your home. A geothermal coil is installed deep in the ground and can be used to heat and cool your home. In the winter, heat is extracted from the ground, and in the summer, heat is extracted from your home and distributed back into the ground. This is very sustainable, energy-efficient, and has a longer lifespan than other options.

Pros of using an air conditioner

Most people use air conditioners to stay more comfortable in their homes or offices during hot and humid summer months. Here are some of the advantages of using an air conditioner:

• They are a lifesaver
  An Environmental Protection Agency study of heat-related deaths found that more than 9,000 Americans died from heat between 1979 and 2013. Being exposed to excessive heat for long periods can cause dehydration. This is because high temperature leads to profuse sweating and makes your body lose water. If you fail to replenish this lost water, the result will be dehydration. Since air conditioners reduce sweating, they can minimize the risk of water loss and dehydration. Keeping cool with an efficient air conditioner is the best way of preventing heat-related deaths and illnesses. Heat strokes are another problem that excessive heat can cause. Since air conditioners reduce the temperature of the air, they can help in preventing heat strokes.
• Better air quality
  Air conditioners circulate and filter air, removing pollutants and mold from the air. This is especially useful for people who suffer from allergies and asthma because it minimizes the irritants that trigger an attack. However, this only holds if your system is kept clean and filters are regularly changed. Otherwise, the AC can contribute to indoor air pollution too.
• Fewer insects and parasites
  The filters also keep out insects and are far more effective than a screen in an open window. Insects are annoying, but they can also be dangerous to people with allergies. A good air conditioning system can help keep pets free from flea and tick as well.
• Improved workforce efficiency
  We have all experienced the mental sluggishness that comes with a day that is just too hot. There is a scientific basis for this. According to an article in Scientific American, the energy the body spends trying to cool itself down takes away our ability to think and reason properly. So, when offices are air-conditioned, people can work better and make better decisions.
• Cooler tempers
  It is not just our brains that suffer from the heat, either. When the mercury rises, so do tempers. Hence, a cool environment is key to maintaining peace at home, work, and in public places.
• Better sleep
  Heat can make it impossible to get a good night’s sleep too. One’s core body temperature is a critical factor when it comes to resting and relaxing. A too hot (or too cold) room interferes with natural temperature regulation, which doctors say functions best between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Protects furniture
  Heat, and especially the humidity that often accompanies it, can wreak havoc on all kinds of furniture. Wood grains can lose moisture when the air around it is hot, which can lead to warping over time. Leather can also absorb moisture, which can eventually cause a stylish couch to rot. And any fabric is susceptible to the mold that breeds rampantly in damp environments.
• Prevents electronic devices from overheating
  Heat and humidity don’t just affect our bodies but the electronic items we possess as well. Phones and computers can suffer from serious meltdowns when the temperature goes up, leading to loss of data and an overall shorter lifespan. If your place of work includes computer servers, they can get completely destroyed or suffer major damage if not kept cool enough. An air conditioner can come to the rescue in that case.
• Fewer sweat stains
  Excessive heat can cause uncontrollable sweating, which can damage your clothes and cause unsightly stains. This can make social situations especially awkward and leave behind a poor impression. So, using an air conditioning system can help preserve your wardrobe and your budget.

Cons of air conditioner

Some of the disadvantages of air conditioners are:

• Skin dryness
  Spending too much time in an air-conditioned room can make your skin lose moisture, making it sensitive and dry. It can also cause irritation and dryness of the mucous membrane.
• Aggravation of respiratory problems
  A sudden change in temperature has shown to exacerbate the symptoms of various respiratory diseases. Fortunately, you can significantly reduce the risk of this problem by setting a higher temperature and decreasing it gradually.
• Respiratory tract infections and allergies
  Not cleaning the air conditioner can cause the build-up of dust, bacteria, and pollen in the air filters. This can significantly increase the risk of asthma attacks and respiratory tract infections. Air conditioning has also been associated with chronic rhinitis and pharyngitis, throat irritation and hoarseness.
• Noise
  Unless you have a high-end air conditioning unit installed, you are usually bound to tolerate an extra amount of noise on a regular basis. Almost every kind of air-conditioning unit creates some ambient noise, but advanced models produce minimal disturbance.
• Bad for the eyes
  Air conditioners can also worsen eye conditions such as conjunctivitis and blepharitis. Even regular contact lens users can experience problems because of air-conditioning.
• Laziness
  A more comfortable environment may make you lazy, and you may start avoiding going out in the sun. This might have an adverse effect on your physical fitness as well as your daily chores.
• Higher bills
  You might end up paying higher power bills if you don’t choose an energy-efficient model. Poor air maintenance can also make things worse for your pocket.

Tips for choosing an air conditioner

Some of the tips to select air conditioners are:

• Cooling capacity
  The cooling capacity of any air conditioner simply means how much heat the AC can eliminate from the air in a specific time period. If the cooling capacity is less, the room will remain warm, even after running the AC for hours.
• Inverter AC
  As compared to a normal air conditioner, an inverter AC offers better, more consistent cooling. This type is also more energy-efficient and quieter.
• Energy efficiency
  Buying an energy-efficient AC has become critical in today’s world, where power tariffs are rising as quickly as the mercury levels.
• Anti-bacteria filter
  Choose an air conditioner with an anti-bacteria filter, which removes bacteria, pollen, dust mites, and allergens from the air to create a healthy environment.
• Dust filter
  Choose an air conditioner with a dust filter that catches minute dust particles and dust mites.
• Dehumidifier
  A dehumidifier helps remove excess moisture from the air during the monsoons, preventing the room from becoming damp, and inhibits the growth of fungus and bacteria. So, choose an air conditioner with a dehumidifier.
• Heater
  A heater raises the temperature to comfortable levels during winters and eliminates the need to purchase a separate heater unit. So, you can choose an air conditioner with a heater.
• Auto-cleaning
  An air conditioner with an auto cleaning feature automatically removes the mold and bacteria deposits inside the blower.

Tips for maintaining an air conditioner

For a fully functional and effective air conditioner, you should get it professionally serviced once a year. Here are some of the things that need to be done to keep your air conditioner in shape:

• Clean/replace the air filter
  This is the most important step and should be done every month during the high-use seasons and every few months during the rest of the year. The air filters collect all the dirt and dust in the room, and without regular cleaning, it will not work efficiently and will put extra strain on the unit.
• Cover up the compressor unit during winters
  During the winter season or whenever you do not use the air conditioner for a long time, cover up the compressor unit placed outside with a cloth or a sheet to prevent dust and dirt from entering the unit.
• Unclog the drain
  If the rear drain is clogged, the water cannot escape and can lead to leaks and drips. Make sure to periodically check the drain and try to unclog it or get help as soon as you notice a clog.
• Check the fins
  The condenser and evaporator fins are very easy to find. These fins can bend and even accumulate dirt and dust. Check them regularly for bending and get them cleaned to protect the condenser and evaporator.
• Schedule regular checks
  Make an appointment with a trained technician at least once every six months. The technician will test your air conditioner for leaks, check the amount of refrigerant, measure airflow, check the filter, clean and tighten the connections, and more.

So, now that you know about the types, pros and cons, and maintenance tips of air conditioners, you are better positioned to choose the model and brand that suits you best. Compare features and prices online as well, before you place an order.