With every year, the summers in India are becoming less bearable. This year, several parts of the country were experiencing heat waves. With temperatures rising up to 43 degrees Celsius, it has almost become imperative to install air conditioners in homes and offices. But, just installing AC at home is not enough, to ensure its efficiency we need to follow some tips for better cooling effect. A poor installation might lead to long-term problems.
CHOICE OF THE AIR CONDITIONER
The foremost and most effective tip while installing AC for a better outcome is to choose your AC wisely. The first step of buying any AC is to check the right size, tonnage, and energy star rating according to your requirement. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all sort of air conditioner. Depending on the size of the space, a different type of unit is required. The cooling capacity of an air conditioner is directly affected by the size of the room. The cooling capacity of an air conditioner is measured in tonnes. A 2-ton AC, for example, has a larger cooling capability than a 1-ton AC. First, determine the size of your room. The fundamental capacity is then calculated by dividing it by 600. So, if your room is 100 square feet, the minimum basic AC capacity is 0.167 tonnes (100 / 600). For every five persons in the room, you must add 0.5 tonnes to the basic capacity. A 0.8-ton air conditioner will normally suffice for a 100-square-foot room. If this is too confusing, the chart below provides a guide to you about the suitable capacity according to your room size.
Room size (in sq. ft) AC Capacity (in tons) Up to 80 0.8 Up to 100 1.0 Up to 150 1.5 Up to 200 2.0
PROPER INSTALLATION OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR UNITS
The proper situation of your AC unit is an important aspect to keep in mind while installing an air conditioner. The strength of the wall must be kept into consideration while installing the AC. The AC unit must be installed on a wall that is strong enough to hold its weight. The unit requires a proper space to function, i.e., 15 cm of open space on all the sides for proper functioning. The unit must also be placed at a height of 7 – 8 feet above the ground for effective cooling. A correct tilt angle should be of concern during AC installation for a better cooling effect. When installing the aluminum bracket on the wall, ensure that the bracket has a minor tilt angle so that the interior unit of the split AC, when installed, is also at a slight angle to allow unrestricted flow of the condensed water from the drain pipe.
Install the interior and outdoor split AC units away from direct sunlight and water for proper cooling. Install the split AC outdoor unit in an open area where heat from the condenser can escape. The proper spacing between the indoor and outside units is critical for cooling. The coolant circulates inside the copper tubes between the indoor and outdoor split AC units at very low temperatures. When the refrigerant moves between the units, some of the cooling action is lost to the atmosphere. To limit this loss, make the distance between the indoor and outside split AC units as short as feasible. The maximum permitted distance between split AC interior and outdoor units is roughly 15 meters. The outside unit is connected to two refrigerant pipelines, one providing the air to be cooled and the other removing the cool air to the indoor unit. A black foam type insulation known as Rubatex can be seen. In most cases, the installation expert does not ensure the insulation right from the pipe and always leaves some pieces open. It becomes critical to monitor and guarantee correct insulation since this affects condensation and water-dropping during service.
The condensate from the indoor unit must be gathered in the drain pad and travel freely; otherwise, it will cause water leaks and wall damage that will necessitate significant repairs.
WINDOW AC INSTALLING TIPS
However, the previously mentioned installation tips for effective cooling are different from that of Window Air-conditioners. In the case of Window AC, it should be positioned on the top of the window so that cold air, being heavy, settles downward, creating its own cool airflow cycle. If an aperture in the wall has already been established for its installation, it is preferable to use the same spot.
Window Dimensions
The 1.5 T AC window dimensions must be 660x430 mm, and the depth can range from 700 to 780 mm depending on the star rating of the AC. Some manufacturers have kept the window dimensions to less than 1.5T, while others have reduced the size. So, before purchasing or receiving the window, it should be modified by inserting an aluminum/wooden panel so that the attachment is secure on all three sides. Otherwise, the installer will place it on two sides and cover the space on the third side with cardboard for insulation. This can cause vibration in long term. This is an effective tip for your AC to work efficiently without trouble.
The efficiency of the condenser
The air is sucked from three sides for condenser cooling, and if the gap is not adequate as advised by the manufacturer, the condenser's efficiency would suffer. But, this condition is often ignored while installation. The AC installation must be at an inclination of a space of 10mm up at the front-bottom for smooth flow of the condensate to the drainpipe. Maintaining a steady flow of condensate to the drainpipe is customary to avoid corrosion after a few years.
Direct sunlight on the condenser will reduce its efficiency during peak summer and cause poor cooling. It is preferable to place a parasol on top of the AC window for the same.
Mounting on the top of the window is ideal so that a sunshade can be added. Pigeons can also be a menace, proper maintenance, therefore, becomes necessary.
MAINTENANCE OF AC AFTER INSTALLATION
Our work does not end here. It is mandatory to follow these useful Ac installation tips to ensure effective cooling, but we need to take a few important measures and care even after the installation is done to reach an optimum level of cooling indoors.
Periodic Servicing
In India, the climate, as well as the pollution, has been worsening. As a result, dirt gets accumulated in the outdoor unit of the air-conditioning system. Continuous accumulation of dirt can ruin the unit and hinder the cooling of the AC. It is advisable to get your AC serviced by professionals at regular intervals.
Taking care of the Filters
The air filters of the AC keep dust and allergens out and ensure a pure air. However, if not cleaned regularly they may affect the performance of the AC, as well as cause long-term health hazards.
Right AC temperature
Maintaining a consistent temperature is always better. It also keeps your power bill in control. Therefore, the Ministry of Power mandates the AC manufacturers to set the default temperature at 24 degrees Celsius.
Closing wide ventilations
Even though this is the most obvious and reiterated point for affecting the cooling of an air conditioning machine, still an essential point to remind you once again – to ensure that the windows and doors of the room are closed for better and faster cooling. Prevent air leakage by sealing gaps between windows and doors.
AC helps you live in comfort and saves you from the cruel grudges of Indian summers. By following the above AC installation and maintenance tips, you can further ensure you get the maximum out of your Air conditioning system, with close to minimum or no loss.