Extreme weather is a threat to one’s health. Hot summer weather can cause a heatstroke while freezing winter conditions can lead to frequent cough and colds. To protect your family from this threat, you need to have a proper cooling and heating system in your home. Installing a ducted air conditioning system will ensure that every member of your household will be comfortable while staying indoors. What are the advantages of having one at your place, and what are the basic components of this system? How will you take care of this machine? This article will answer these basic questions to help you make an informed decision.
Advantages of ducted air conditioning
Most ducted systems are fully automated. As such, by turning on its central system, all the zones that are programmed to receive ventilation will be ventilated. For instance, you can program the ducts of your living room and playroom to open during the day, while ducts at all sleeping quarters can be assigned to operate at night. Having this convenience will allow you to do other chores at home.
Furthermore, ducted systems are also flexible. Newer versions of ducted air conditioners have reverse cycle configuration with built-in heat pumps. These heat pumps provide electric heating capacity, so you do not need to buy an extra heater.
Lastly, this system is also more energy-efficient than its counterpart. Regular ducted air conditioners have horsepower between 2-6, and they run between 10-24kwh per hour. It has been estimated by power companies that you can save around $800 using a ducted system instead of having multiple individual air conditioning units at your home.
Parts of a ducted air conditioner
Knowing the components of your ducted system will give you an appreciation of how it works.
A ducted air conditioning system is primarily composed of three parts, namely, the condenser, the fan coil, and the refrigerant lines. The condenser is the huge machine placed outside of your home. It draws out hot air and converts it to cooler air. Meanwhile, the fan coil is the indoor unit, which is primarily responsible for distributing the air throughout your home. If you want your rooms to cool faster, your fan coils should have a higher airflow capacity. The last crucial part of your ducted system is the refrigerant line, which connects the condenser and the fan coil. This connecting pipe is often hidden in the cavities of your wall and covered with insulation to maintain the converted air’s temperature.
Taking care of your ducted air conditioner
A ducted system is often more durable than its counterparts. Most trusted brands claim that their units can run for over 20 years. As long as you regularly call an electrician to do maintenance service on it every 12 months, then you do not have to worry about overhauling your system and getting a new one. Aside from preventing degradation, regular maintenance checks can significantly lower your electricity bills.
Some of the things that your electrician would do to maintain your ducted air conditioner are regular replacement of filters. Sometimes, he will also clean the air grills, diffusers, and condenser coils if they are covered with dust. Additionally, he will also do a thorough inspection of your ducted system’s motor, thermostat, and unit wiring.
Upgrading to a ducted air conditioning system is not just a convenient way of ventilating your space. It is also an economic measure that will save you hundreds of dollars in electricity bills. If you take care of it well, you might be able to use it for a couple of decades – making it a worthwhile investment.
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