Feeling warm at home? Turning up your air-con at full blast might not be the best solution
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Feeling warm at domicile? Turning upwardly your air-con at full blast might not be the best solution
At that place's more than to cooling downward your flat than but lowering the temperature settings. From where they're placed to having the correct "BTU", here are means you can get the most out of your air-conditioner unit to beat the heat.
(Photograph: Unsplash)
09 Jul 2022 06:30AM (Updated: 04 Jul 2022 03:05PM)
In Singapore'south sweltering heat, it's probably no surprise to observe out that we literally live in an air-conditioned nation.
The country has the highest per capita installed rate of air-conditioning amongst Asean countries, according to an article written concluding year by Tim Loma, a research managing director at sustainable business publication Eco-Business. A recent study by the National Environment Agency also cited how air-workout accounts for 24 per cent of the electricity consumption for the average household.
Yep, it seems a lot of u.s. can't live without air-conditioning. Simply don't y'all sometimes experience like your flat isn't getting cold plenty – fifty-fifty if you've got more than one unit?
Here are things to proceed in heed to optimise the cooling effects of your air-conditioner – and brand sure you get the most out of it.
Generally, a 3-split system'south iii units would suffice for a three-room apartment: I unit for the living room and one each for two bedrooms.
PLACE THEM IN OPTIMAL COOLING POSITIONS
Placing the air-conditioner high in the room is definitely important for optimised cooling – and for this reason, those that are fitted into windows aren't always the best, said Michael Kuan, manager of interior design visitor Space Factor.
"They are also condensers and they generate lots of heat. That adds to the rut coming from outside the window."
READ: The real reason you and your spouse fight over the blanket and air-con remote control
According to a spokesperson from Courts, the midpoint of a wall that lets the cool air flow across the room should cover the surface area effectively. "Installing it in a corner may pb to poor coverage. Avoid areas that are exposed to the potent afternoon heat as that may cause condensation to form. Too avoid installing them above cupboards or doors equally they preclude the cool air from circulating," said the spokesperson.
A proficient rule of thumb is to leave a 2.2m space betwixt the lesser of the air-conditioner and the floor. That's high plenty for the cool air to broadcast without blowing into people'south faces.
Another trick is to place the air-conditioner almost areas where people sit or sleep, said Kuan. "The closer it is, the more the cooling event will be felt."
DON'T HIDE YOUR AIR-CON Unit of measurement
Air-conditioning units may not complement the minimalist look of your interior just do not conceal them, said Kuan. A false ledge or concealed compartment not only obstructs the flow of cool air, information technology tin can as well make your air-conditioner work harder than it should. And if the unit needs to be taken apart for servicing or repairing, these design details may become in the mode.
GET THE RIGHT BTU FOR YOUR BTO
Bated from knowing where to place them, an even more of import thing to take note of is the air-conditioner's BTU. Brusk for British Thermal Unit, it's a measurement of your unit'south power to cool down a infinite.
READ: Clothing a hat or bring an umbrella? We discover the all-time means to absurd off in this heat
"Information technology'due south not only about setting a lower temperature. Information technology needs to complement the capacity of the room – a bigger room needs a higher BTU," explained the Courts spokesperson.
Getting the BTU right is as well important because it determines how efficient your air-conditioner is at simultaneously cooling different rooms at the aforementioned time, added Kuan.
"Say, you only have a BTU powerful enough for two air-conditioning units, but you lot've got iv. This means yous can only switch on ii simultaneously instead of all 4," said Kuan.
So, how much BTU will you need? By and large, small rooms of about 150 sq ft and below can practice with around 6,000 BTU. For larger rooms that are up to 350 sq ft, such every bit the living room, you lot'll need about ix,000 BTU. For cooling down very large spaces (we're talking 500 sq ft and above), you'll need to juice information technology up to x,000 to 15,000 BTU.
Notwithstanding, there are drawbacks to going for a bigger BTU than needed. Yes, the room will cool down faster only the quick drib in temperature will too increase moisture in the air, which can damage wallpaper and warp wooden floors in the long run.
STICK TO THE Correct REFRIGERANT PIPE LENGTH
Adhering to the manufacturer's instructions is crucial to get the nearly out of your air-conditioning system, especially the refrigerant pipe, said Kuan. It must not be longer than the length recommended by the brand. If the length is not right, the refrigerant tin't cool down or expand. That tin can crusade a drop in the unit's cooling capacity and also damage the compressor – things that might eventually become you hot nether the collar with repair issues.
ENSURE THE COMPRESSOR IS IN GOOD SHAPE
The compressor is the heart of your air-conditioning system. Information technology is what turns warm air into that coveted cool breeze emanating from the vents. And so, information technology makes sense to ensure that in that location isn't dust, lint and grime causing the compressor fan to go stuck and affect your air-conditioner'due south cooling power.
Also, check your compressor from time to time to ensure that it is not leaking any refrigerant liquid that volition bear on its cooling ability. Some HDB owners place the compressor on their service balustrade to make it convenient for repair or maintenance works but don't do that. "Information technology is illegal to identify any compressors there," warned Kuan.
Also, brand sure the compressor tin can fit through your window. "If not, it has to exist dismantled and reassembled at the air-con ledge, and doing so will void the compressor'south warranty," cautioned Kuan.
Check THE POWER SUPPLY
If your HDB flat doesn't take a sufficient main switch (likely for flats built before 1994; click here to check) to power a bigger compressor, such as a iv-split unit of measurement, the air flow may exist weak or yous may get aught out of your air-conditioner at all. You'll demand to employ for a permit from HDB if your electrician recommends getting a bigger power supply.
GET THE Correct MULTIPLE-SPLIT SYSTEM TO Accommodate YOUR NEEDS
If you can only have one compressor, which is what HDB flats are limited to, the multi-split system is what you demand to absurd each room without overworking the compressor. Simply how do you determine which multiple carve up arrangement to go for?
By and large, a 3-separate organisation's three units would suffice for a three-room flat: One unit for the living room and one each for 2 bedrooms. Larger flats with an additional room tin can do good from a iv-separate organization.
Editor's Note: An before version of the story cited a National Environment Bureau report as saying Singapore has the highest per capita installed rate of air-conditioners amongst Asean countries. The information was not sourced from the NEA. We apologise for the fault.
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Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/air-conditioner-installation-hdb-flat-234596
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