The suffering has already become a joke: “In the capital of Minas Gerais, it is sunny for every Belo Horizonte resident…”. This Monday (13/11) The thermometer reached 37.3ºC, a monthly record, which could not surpass the temperature of 38.6 °C on September 25, the highest since 1910. And in the face of such heat, air conditioning changed from a luxury item to one directly related to the quality of life. According to a survey by service contracting application GetNinjas, device maintenance in Minas Gerais increased by 296.3% in October compared to the same period last year. The growth between September and October was 15.5%.
Air conditioning can simultaneously control temperature, humidity, purity and air distribution. But to ensure that the equipment will work perfectly, guaranteeing freshness all this time, the Brazilian Association of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Heating (Abrava) advises that it is necessary to purchase the equipment most suitable for the environment. .
It is always recommended to consult a qualified professional for a case-by-case analysis, but newspapers TimeWith the help of Abrava experts, a Q&A was created to guide the consumer:
What should I keep in mind when purchasing?
- What are the physical characteristics of the environment;
- Number of rooms to be air conditioned;
- What are the technical characteristics of the location – sun exposure, number of people in the environment, type of lighting, use of other types of electronic devices;
- What locations should be considered for installation as per the planned architecture and design for the environment
- In case of commercial use, take into account ambient air renewal
How to keep air conditioning in shape?
A technician needs to define the thermal load required to condition the space. This way, you will reach the ideal power of the appliance. If the size is incorrect, it may force the system or cause it to operate unnecessarily.
To determine the thermal load, the professional will evaluate the environment according to the amount of direct exposure to sunlight, the number of people typically living in the space, the amount of thermal dissipation from electronic devices and the lighting present, among other factors. If, for example, the thermal load is 10,800 BTU/h (British Thermal Unit or in free translation, British Thermal Unit), the capacity of the equipment used must be higher. One of the standard capacities is 12,000 BTU/hour.
What are the main air conditioning models?
There are three types of air conditioning: portable, window, and split.
- portable air conditioning
They are single-body devices, preferably for residential use and which enable the user to install them in different locations as required. However, they require the installation of a tube to extract the hot air, which must be directed to the outside environment. Typically, this equipment has a capacity between 9,000 BTU/h and 12,000 BTU/h.
- window air conditioning
However, single body equipment for residential/small commercial use, with fixed installation. Its function is only to cool or cool and heat. Typically, it is recommended for smaller environments and is installed on the wall, with the condenser side facing the outdoor environment and the evaporator side facing the indoor environment. Its capacity ranges between 7,500 BTU/h and 27,000 BTU/h.
Splits are individual appliances or devices that operate in only one environment and have capacities between 9,000 BTU/h and 80,000 BTU/h. They have the characteristics of residential equipment, but can also be found in commercial environments such as offices, clinics, and gyms. While the evaporator unit is located inside the room, the condenser unit is installed outside.
Using split-type appliances in non-residential environments requires some prior care, such as installation, which should be done with adaptations such as efficient filtration and air renewal systems, which provide better air distribution and circulation to the environment. allows for. Particulate matter and gases at levels suitable for human needs.
What are split air conditioning models?
- High-Wall – The most commonly used model, installed high on the wall.
- Cassette – built into the roof, with only the air supply and return grilles visible.
- Floor-ceiling – Similar to high-wall units, but larger, and can be installed in both the horizontal position, close to the ceiling, and the vertical position, close to the room floor.
- Built-in – Completely embedded in the ceiling or duct system. In this case, the supply and return air use grilles.
- Multi Split – Recommended for installations that require air conditioning in more than one room with a small outdoor area or installation customization. Equipment that uses only one condenser may serve five evaporators of the same or different types.
Will air conditioning make my electric bill more expensive?
According to Abrava, in practice, a well-designed and correctly installed air conditioning system with updated maintenance means substantial energy consumption. If consumers are not careful, electricity bills may become higher.
In addition to using models suitable for the environment, the consumer can observe the new Inmetro labeling available since January this year, which features the Procell Seals (National Electric Energy Conservation Programme), which guarantees the efficiency and low consumption of the models. Is. It is worth remembering that the useful life of an appliance is approximately ten years and older technologies tend to have higher energy consumption.