Basic Facts About Ducted AC For First Timers
If you've never enjoyed ducted air conditioning, but you're thinking about having it installed in your home, you may need more information about how this type of AC differs from portable AC and how it can add value to your home. So to help you out, here are some basic things to know about ducted AC.
Ducts Are Installed -- Unlike portable or split-system AC, ducted AC requires the installation of ducts, which are ventilation devices typically made of polyurethane, fiberglass, steel, aluminum or fiberglass. Ducts are circular or rectangular, and they are installed under your flooring or in your walls. Installing ducts requires contractors to strip your existing plasterboard, and then to mount new plasterboard to hide the ductwork. Some businesses, however, have begun using exposed ductwork as an aesthetic statement. Ducts conduct hot and cold air from an outdoor condenser through the vents inside your house. A thermostat gives you the power to control the temperature in your home by triggering the operation of the condenser based on how hot or cold you want it to be.
You Can Increase the Energy Efficiency of Your Ducted AC -- Although ducted air can run efficiently based on the temperature at which you set the thermostat, there are other steps you can take to increase the energy efficiency of your AC. For example, you can weatherstrip your doors and windows to provide greater insulation and to keep air from leaking outside your home. You can also tint your windows and sliding glass doors to reduce the amount of light, glare and heat that enters your house during the summer, which lowers the interior temperature and reduces your reliance on AC. Another easy way to increase your AC's efficiency is to ensure that you change the air filter every six months. The air filter is responsible for trapping dirt, pollutants and allergens, but if it's clogged, it won't filter those items, and worse yet it will actually blow those pollutants back into the air that circulates inside your home.
You Can Choose A Zoned System -- A zoned AC system allows you to set different 'zones' or rooms in your house to a different temperature. For example, if you don't need your study cooled or heated because it's unoccupied for long periods of time, you can turn off the air in that room but still maintain cooling or heating in your living room. A standard ducted AC system won't let you do that, but a zoned system can reduce your energy bill, because you don't have to run the AC in all parts of your house at the same time.
For more information and options for installation, talk with HVAC contractors, such as Kintore Airconditioning.
Share