Alternatives to air conditioning are fans, either electric or handheld, or open windows. Air conditioning is used primarily in the summer when temperatures are higher. Therefore electric bills are usually higher in the summer months. Many electric companies offer budget billing, which balances out the high and low bills into a constant monthly payment. Budget billing is based on usage and may gradually increase over time as usage goes up.

There are two types of air conditioners that are primarily used in homes. Window style units are placed in a window. Window air conditioning mainly cools the room that they are placed in. More expensive units may cool off more of the surrounding rooms. Window air conditioners run on electricity. They are placed in windows because the heat in the room is passed outside and swapped with the cold air coming in. Alternatives to window air conditioning units are wall air conditioners, which do not need to be placed in a window. Window units are more common in older homes.

New construction typically has central air conditioning built in. Central air conditioning runs the air throughout the entire house with the actual unit located outside. A thermostat controls the temperatures of the house. Older thermostats need to be changed manually to the desired temperature. Newer thermostats are programmable. Temperature settings can be programmed to change at certain times of the day. This can help lower electric bills by allowing the house to be warmer when the house is empty. Running central air conditioning uses a lot of electricity but it is generally more energy efficient than window air conditioning. Many older homes use either window units or have no air conditioning at all.

Air conditioning is available in most new cars today as well. In extreme heat, air conditioning provides considerable comfort on a long car ride. In cars operating without air conditioning, one can roll the windows down to let wind blow in. Wind, however, is not as comfortable, and can be noisy, especially if driving on the highway. After a period of time, air conditioning may not work as well. Sometimes recharging the freon gas will help improve performance. Other times, the air conditioning may need more extensive costly repair work. Many times people will choose not to fix the air conditioning in their cars when the cost outweighs the remaining value of the car.

With new technology comes improvements to air conditioning systems. As time goes on, air conditioners will become more energy efficient.

It is a subset of HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning). The ultimate purpose of HVAC, is to provide comfort for our everyday living.

Let's go through some explanation on "H" and "V" part, before going into "AC" section.

The "H" part in HVAC, stands for heating.

This heating is associated with radiators, furnaces, fire place stoves and electric heating. Radiators are fed with hot water from boilers, fire place and stoves provides radiant heat by burning wood or coal, furnaces

heat up a given space by means of fossil fuel burning, and electric heaters use the principle of electrical

resistance to generate heat.

Heating is used mainly in very cold areas.

"V" stands for ventilation in HVAC.

Ventilation topic relates to air circulation and movement between an open space, and an enclosed space. It is possible to achieve this by means of natural occurrence, or by means of forced ventilation. Equipment that aid ventilation include chimneys, blowers, eductors, and ventilators.

Purpose of ventilation is for safety of occupant in a space, as well as comfort. It is especially useful in case of fire.

Finally, "AC" is a short form of, air conditioning.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not just about refrigerant artisanelectrical.net.au/york-aircon-repair-brisbane-qld/ filled air conditioners. The word "conditioning" itself, suggests that, air conditioners should condition the air, to reach comfort level of occupants in a room.

The equipment should do any, or a combination of the following, to reach comfort level,

Not only that, air conditioners can be coupled with heating, and ventilation - especially with central air conditioners. Into details,

Alter air temperature by means of cooling or heating

Equipment, which can alter air temperature, by means of cooling is known as air conditioner. It is called a heat pump, if it is used for heating.

However, a heat pump is suitable for heating, only if the temperature do not go down to extremes. As such, a supplementary heating equipment (the "H" part) will be used - be it a heating strip, furnace, or radiator.

A mechanical cycle air conditioner, is an equipment with compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator, and tubes, filled with refrigerant.

Alter air humidity

A conventional mechanical ACs can alter humidity. When it is used for cooling, it will also dehumidify. A heat pump will alter relative humidity as it heats up the air.

However, there are equipment built specifically for humidification, and dehumidification. These are humidifiers, and dehumidifiers.

A humidifier will add in water vapour into air, to cool down hot and dry climate areas. A dehumidifier, will be very useful in very mild air temperatures, with high humidity. Humidifier's parts are same to an air conditioner, but the construction is different, such that air will be cooled, moisture removed, and reheated before discharging it to the room.

Circulate and mix air

Stale and stagnant air is no good for you health - let alone the uncomfortable feeling. Air circulation can be achieved with the simplest equipment - fans. Air draft will continuously displace warm air near your skin, and aid evaporation and hence, provide skin cooling by means of evaporation.

Air circulation for whole building, would require ducts and blowers. This combination is used mainly with central air conditioners. Conditioned air will be circulated to designated areas. It is also designed to take in fresh air, and expel some of used air, for ventilation purposes - the "V" part.

Filter and purify air

Most conditioning equipment, is fitted with filter as a package, or separate installation. Main reason - to filter out dust in air.

Air purification can be achieved by means of activated carbon (for odour removal), UV light (for removing germs), and HEPA filters (high efficiency particulate air).

AC is essential in our life, especially in extreme temperature areas, or even for the sake of air circulation and purification.