Pros and Cons Of Evaporative And Refrigerated Air Conditioners
Choosing energy-efficient air conditioners is important for Australians, as our country faces challenges linked to limited natural resources and a growing population.
Understanding about the differences between evaporative and refrigerated models is a good place to start the decision-making process.
At present, only about 45 percent of Australians have air conditioners in their homes.
This number is expected to grow, as more people opt for the comfort offered by controlled temperatures and the enhanced lifestyle that results.
Here in Australia, we face unique challenges.
We have a growing population, located mostly on our coasts, and limited though abundant natural resources.
In order to keep Australia prosperous and our standard of living high, we must take steps to use our natural resources as efficiently and prudently as possible, and AC use can affect our economic and environmental prosperity.
Evaporative models An evaporative air conditioner is a device that cools the air through the evaporation of water.
These tend to cost less to install and have lower maintenance costs than refrigerated models because they're less mechanically complex.
They also have the added benefit of using fresh air from the outside, instead of constantly recycling stale air.
Evaporative air conditioners tend not to run well in high humidity areas.
So while they might work well in Canberra, in Sydney it may be a very different story.
If you are new to an area, make sure you do some research about the summer heat conditions and humidity levels before opting for an evaporative AC system.
Refrigerated AC Refrigerated air conditioning processes the air in a house or an apartment, removing the heat from it and sending it outside, returning cooled air throughout the premises by means of various ducts or wall mounted units.
Refrigerated systems require the use of refrigerants that produce emissions, making it somewhat less eco-friendly than evaporative models.
Because the mechanical process in refrigeration is more complex, it also uses more energy.
Nevertheless, refrigeration has its benefits as it is more effective than evaporative in high humidity areas, and it is better for people with allergies.
As a whole, however, refrigerated systems are more expensive in terms of installation, maintenance and electricity costs.
It is now possible however, to run your unit off solar power.
Your choice of air conditioners will depend on your budget and the climate conditions in your area.
Understanding about the differences between evaporative and refrigerated models is a good place to start the decision-making process.
At present, only about 45 percent of Australians have air conditioners in their homes.
This number is expected to grow, as more people opt for the comfort offered by controlled temperatures and the enhanced lifestyle that results.
Here in Australia, we face unique challenges.
We have a growing population, located mostly on our coasts, and limited though abundant natural resources.
In order to keep Australia prosperous and our standard of living high, we must take steps to use our natural resources as efficiently and prudently as possible, and AC use can affect our economic and environmental prosperity.
Evaporative models An evaporative air conditioner is a device that cools the air through the evaporation of water.
These tend to cost less to install and have lower maintenance costs than refrigerated models because they're less mechanically complex.
They also have the added benefit of using fresh air from the outside, instead of constantly recycling stale air.
Evaporative air conditioners tend not to run well in high humidity areas.
So while they might work well in Canberra, in Sydney it may be a very different story.
If you are new to an area, make sure you do some research about the summer heat conditions and humidity levels before opting for an evaporative AC system.
Refrigerated AC Refrigerated air conditioning processes the air in a house or an apartment, removing the heat from it and sending it outside, returning cooled air throughout the premises by means of various ducts or wall mounted units.
Refrigerated systems require the use of refrigerants that produce emissions, making it somewhat less eco-friendly than evaporative models.
Because the mechanical process in refrigeration is more complex, it also uses more energy.
Nevertheless, refrigeration has its benefits as it is more effective than evaporative in high humidity areas, and it is better for people with allergies.
As a whole, however, refrigerated systems are more expensive in terms of installation, maintenance and electricity costs.
It is now possible however, to run your unit off solar power.
Your choice of air conditioners will depend on your budget and the climate conditions in your area.
