An air conditioning system is mainly used to regulate the temperature and humidity in the room. It can also filter dust and pathogens out of the air.
On the following page you can find out what types of air conditioning systems there are and how and when they can be used.
General information on air-conditioning systems and common designs
In Central Europe, HVAC repairs in Escondido are not yet as widespread as in southern parts of the world. But there are more and more people in Switzerland who want more comfort within their own four walls in summer. Here in Switzerland, too, a basic distinction is made between 4 primary types of construction, which can be used for air conditioning in private homes or public buildings.
Depending on the canton, there are regulations regarding size and performance that must be observed. In some cantons the approval of an air conditioning system can be denied in individual cases, but in most cases only the energy efficiency of the appliance has to be proven. The general use of air conditioning systems in Switzerland is relatively liberal, compared with neighbouring European countries.
If you want to escape the heat in summer from time to time, there is nothing wrong with an air-conditioning system, as it provides pleasant indoor air that is measured for people according to the following values:
Temperature: 20-22 degrees Celsius
Relative humidity: 30-65 percent
Air velocity: below 0.15 meters per second (optimal < 0.10 m/s)
In order to benefit from year-round air conditioning, however, the purchase of an air conditioning system should be integrated into a coherent overall concept with a ventilation system and / or heat pump.
Mobile air conditioning systems
Mobile air conditioners are compact devices that draw heat out of the room and lead it outside through a hose. Compared to heat pumps or split units, the price of a mobile unit is significantly lower. They can be purchased at any DIY store and can be used flexibly from room to room thanks to their rollers. However, the low purchase costs also entail some disadvantages.
Collecting container for the condensation water must be emptied regularly.
the energy consumption is relatively high with frequent use
at an average electricity price of 18 centimes per kilowatt hour, an air-conditioning system costs around CHF 1.60 per hour of operating time
In addition, the warm and humid air must be discharged by hose through a window, a door gap or an opening in the wall. This is usually relatively thick and also lets outside air penetrate through the gap into the room again. This permanently disturbs the cooling effect. In addition, allergens can flow in and you are not optimally protected against burglaries.
Split air conditioners: indoor and outdoor units
Split air conditioning units consist of at least two modules (one or more indoor units and one outdoor unit) and must be installed professionally. They have a much better cooling capacity than mobile compact units.
The indoor unit is connected to the outdoor unit via pipes through which a refrigerant flows. In the outdoor unit it is heated by the compressor so that the excess heat can be dissipated directly to the outside air.
The heat extraction causes the refrigerant to liquefy again, resulting in a cooler temperature in the room. The advantage is that the loud unit is located on the outside wall and the volume level in the interior is therefore low. When installing the outdoor unit, care must be taken to ensure that the noise emissions generated during operation do not affect anyone. The price of a split system is significantly higher than that of a mobile system, but at identical running costs it is significantly more efficient.
Heat pump: air conditioning and heating at the same time
Heat pumps can be used both as air conditioning systems and heating systems, as they require comparatively little electricity and draw their energy from their immediate surroundings.
The heat pump extracts the heat from the outside area (ground water, air or earth) and releases it as heating energy for the building. Another advantage is that heat pumps work quietly and air-condition the entire building. They can also be used to heat water at the same time.
In old buildings, the heat pump can only be used to a limited extent as a heating and air-conditioning system, as the building shell and heating technology should be relatively modern in order to guarantee truly energy-efficient operation.
