 Air conditioning
More and more Dutch people are discovering the convenience of air conditioning. At work, in shops,restaurants, hotels, and in cars. Even in our homes we have it installed these days. Once you get used to the comfort of air conditioning, you never want to be without it again - not even in winter.
With air conditioning, you can adjust the indoor climate to suit your needs all year round. What could be nicer than a wonderfully cool workplace during a scorching summer? And what could be more pleasant than a cosy warm room when it is freezing outside? Cooling in summer, heating in winter and always fresh air, all with one compact device. By the way, did you know that modern air conditioners are also very quiet? You can barely hear them.
On this page, you can read all about air conditioning: what air conditioning is, how it works, what you can do with it, and what to look out for.
Why?
Air conditioning is nothing new: the heater on in winter, the window open for fresh air. And when it gets too hot, we pull out the fan. All forms of climate control. But yes, still a tad primitive. After all, there is air conditioning. It does exactly the same job, only much better, more accurate, more comfortable and healthier. With air-conditioning, you can always create the climate you feel most comfortable in, with the right temperature and comfortable humidity. So certainly not too humid; crucial in the humid, sweltering Dutch summers.
Modern air-conditioning systems deliver clean, healthy, cooled air, dehumidify the air and prevent mould. All this with no draughts and no noise. In short, air-conditioning makes you feel more comfortable and fitter, with all its benefits. Because anyone who feels fit is more creative and productive. And how much more pleasant is it to be in an air-conditioned shop, café, restaurant or hotel, especially in summer? Many companies even present air conditioning as an indispensable tool for "retaining" staff or customers. So why air conditioning? By now you know the answer yourself....
Air conditioning (literally: climate control) refers to the mechanical control of cooling, humidity and possibly heating and ventilation.
How does it work?
The first air conditioners were big, noisy appliances. Modern air conditioners, however, are marvels of ingenuity and design. They are compact, attractive to look at and perform their tasks flawlessly and silently. We are talking about good air conditioners, though. Because there is quite a difference in quality. Mobile air conditioners in particular often perform disappointingly: they offer little cooling, make a lot of noise and are always in the way. On this page, we only talk about fixed installations, the so-called split systems.
What does an air conditioner actually do?
Air conditioning controls temperature, air movement and dehumidification. Regarding temperature, it is important that indoor and outdoor temperatures should not differ too much from each other, preferably a maximum of 5 °C. A larger difference can lead to physical complaints, such as colds. Air movement is also important. Too much air movement can cause uncomfortable cold and draughts.
The principle of an air conditioner
All air conditioners work basically the same and consist of an indoor and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit draws in the indoor air. After passing through a dust filter, this air is cooled using a special, environmentally-friendly refrigerant that is continuously circulated through the air-conditioning system. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air to be cooled.
After the air has been cooled and filtered, it is blown back into the room, at the right temperature and in the right direction. Once the refrigerant has become gaseous due to heating in the indoor air, it is directed to the outdoor unit. There, the refrigerant becomes liquid again by cooling thanks to the outside air.
The refrigerant is then fed back inside, after which the cooling cycle starts again. By the way, did you know that all our air conditioners are equipped with an energy-efficient heat pump as standard? That means they offer heating, dehumidification and air purification in addition to cooling, all in one unit. This not only saves energy (up to 30%), but also space.
15 misunderstandings
about an air conditioner
1. An air conditioner makes noise
Quality brands operate almost silently, both the indoor and outdoor units (which is also important for your neighbours!). When comparing brands and models, pay close attention to the technical specifications. Noise levels are expressed in dB(A). Every 3 dB(A) represent a doubling of the sound level. In other words, a system with a noise level of 28 dB(A) produces twice as much noise as a system with a noise level of 25 dB(A).
2. You only use an air conditioner in summer
Anyone who has an air conditioner in their car has long known: air conditioning provides comfort all year round. Modern systems are true 'air handlers'. They not only produce cold air, but can also heat, dehumidify, filter and (optionally) even refresh indoor air.
3. An air conditioner is ugly and in the way
This really only applies to mobile air conditioners. For fixed air conditioners, the units can be wall-mounted, mounted under the ceiling, and in many cases even virtually concealed in the ceiling.
4. An air conditioner is a source of legionella contamination
The risk of legionella contamination through a split or multi-split system is virtually zero. The legionella bacterium is only active in water with a temperature between 30°C and 50°C, and even then only if it is atomised. In our country, split and multi-split systems are mainly used. These do not atomise water and therefore cannot cause legionella. However, cold condensation water can enter the condensate tray. Provided it is installed properly, the condensate drain is always placed so that the water flows directly to the sewer and has no chance to heat up.
5. An air conditioner is expensive
Cheap is often expensive. Especially during hot summers, many people impulsively buy a mobile air conditioner, only to quickly realise that they would have been better off investing in a split system from a reputable brand. Quality brands typically last around 15 years. Although the initial investment is higher, the eventual depreciation is lower. If an air conditioner is purchased on a business basis, it is even possible to receive a subsidy for it.
6. An air conditioner consumes a lot of power
Modern air-conditioning systems have very high energy efficiency. For every kW of electrical power invested, you get back around 7 kW of cooling power. Aircobrabant only supplies installations based on the latest inverter technology, allowing you to save up to 30% on your energy consumption.
7. An air conditioner is not just for businesses
First, you saw air conditioners mostly in luxury hotels. Then, air conditioning also became common in offices, shops and catering establishments. The increasingly hot summer months mean that more and more people are opting for air conditioning in their homes.
8. Air conditioning will give you a cold
It is not air conditioning that causes colds, but too much air movement and too big a temperature difference between indoors and outdoors. A difference of more than 5°C is not advisable. Current generation air conditioners monitor this themselves and adjust automatically where necessary
9. An air conditioner creates 'sick building'
On the contrary. If expertly installed and properly maintained, air conditioning actually contributes significantly to the feeling of well-being. Good quality air conditioning increases both performance and comfort.
10. An air conditioner requires your business or home to be 'demolished'
Split and multi-split systems require cooling pipes for the supply and removal of the refrigerant. These pipes can often be concealed in walls or the ceiling. Penetrations are drilled using diamond drills, ensuring a clean and accurate finish
11. An air conditioner is environmentally unfriendly and depletes the ozone layer
Modern air-conditioning systems contain environmentally friendly refrigerants. All equipment supplied by Aircobrabant comes with "ozone-friendly" refrigerants.
12. Anyone can fit an air conditioner
Installation of the indoor and outdoor units may be done by anyone. However, refrigeration work, such as fitting and soldering the pipes and all operations related to the refrigerant, may only be carried out by approved companies. Aircobrabant is fully certified for F-gases and only works with qualified technicians.
13. Better too much cooling capacity than too little
The cooling capacity should be precisely tailored to the space. Not too much
and not too little. Too little capacity gives insufficient cooling and annoying malfunctions. Too much capacity often gives dry air and annoying air flows. Get information from one of our staff.
14. There are no bad air conditioners
But there are quality differences. Aircobrabant's products tend to be more energy-efficient, quieter and have a longer lifespan. Service and warranties are also generally better. For example, Aircobrabant offers as much as a five-year manufacturer's warranty.
15. An air conditioner is difficult to operate
Modern air-conditioning systems are easy to operate. Most systems self-monitor the temperature you set, adjust it automatically if needed, and provide alerts when maintenance is required.
Different systems
All air conditioners basically work on the same basic principle and consist of an indoor and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit draws in the indoor air, first passes a dust filter and then cools the air using a special and environmentally-friendly refrigerant that circulates continuously within the air-conditioning system. This refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air to be cooled. After cooling, the cleaned and cooled air is blown back into the room, at the right temperature and in the right direction.
Once the refrigerant has become gaseous due to heating in the indoor air, it is routed to the outdoor unit. Here, it becomes liquid again by cooling with the help of the outside air. The refrigerant then returns inside and the cooling cycle starts again. It is also interesting to know that all our air conditioners are equipped with an energy-efficient heat pump as standard. This means that in addition to cooling, they can also heat, dehumidify and clean the air, all in one unit. This not only saves energy (up to 40%), but also saves space.
Mobile air conditioner
or fixed air conditioning
You probably know them: the mobile air conditioners on wheels, especially handy for home use. However, the advantages often do not outweigh the disadvantages. They take up space and usually offer disappointing cooling performance. Moreover, the heat and condensation discharge is usually through a window hose, and the noise level can be deafening. The quality of fixed air conditioners, also known as 'split systems', is far superior. They are more durable, versatile, comfortable and much quieter.
Split or multi-split
Split systems consist of an indoor and an outdoor unit connected by two thin cooling pipes. They can be placed almost anywhere and deliver excellent performance. Multi-split systems go one step further. With one outdoor unit, it is possible to cool or heat several rooms separately. For example, you can cool the living room and study during the day and control the bedrooms separately at night.
Installing an air conditioner
The indoor unit of a split system is available for mounting on the wall, on the floor, on the ceiling and for installation in or under the ceiling. The choice of unit location is not only a matter of taste and space availability, but also affects the way air is blown into the room. Improper placement and too large or too small a capacity can lead to draughts, noise and/or insufficient cooling.
Heat pump and inverter
Did you know that all our supplied air conditioners can also be used for heating? Split and multi-split air conditioners come in a heat pump configuration as standard. In this configuration, the cooling cycle is reversed, extracting heat from the outside air and releasing it to the inside air. This is a highly efficient process, as heat from the outside air is freely available. Even at temperatures of -20°C, the heat pump can still extract heat from the outside air. Especially during the off-season, the central heating system can be switched off, leading to significant energy savings.
All our (multi-)split systems are equipped with inverter control. Thanks to the integrated inverter, the system continuously adjusts the cooling and heating capacity based on the heat requirements in the room, the measured and desired indoor temperature, as well as the room size. As a result, energy consumption is some 30% lower than with traditional on/off systems. Moreover, the inverter provides even more comfort, as the desired temperature is reached faster thanks to the fast switch-on time.
Housing
With air conditioning, your living comfort is significantly increased, day, evening and night. Imagine never sleeping in an oppressively hot bedroom again. Moreover, you can also use your air conditioning as heating, resulting in lower heating costs. Split and multi-split systems are ideally suited for homes. Modern air conditioners are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also almost noiseless and equipped with remote control, making them very user-friendly. Systems from Aircobrabant can reduce energy consumption by as much as 40%. Air conditioning can be integrated into any home and any room, with various options including wall-mounted, floor-mounted and ceiling-mounted models to choose from.
Companies and offices
No business or office can do without good climate control. Research has shown that good climate control contributes to the health of employees, increases productivity and stimulates creativity. Not for nothing do occupational health and safety laws set high requirements for indoor climate. Today's air-conditioning systems are compact, attractively designed, environmentally friendly and whisper quiet. They offer the possibility to regulate the climate in each room separately and the power can be precisely tuned to each situation. This ensures a pleasant working climate with the right temperature and humidity, making your employees feel comfortable and fit, without draughts and noise. For companies, the choice of systems and models is almost unlimited. You can choose from systems with or without integrated ventilation, cooling and heating. They are barely audible and very energy-efficient. Well-designed installations can make your traditional heating system redundant, resulting in lower heating costs. You have the option of choosing from wall models, floor models and models for mounting on or in the ceiling. Satellite models can be integrated almost invisibly into the ceiling, with only the intake and discharge grilles visible.
Shops and catering
Dining in a stuffy restaurant? Shopping in a draughty shop? Spending the night in a stuffy hotel room? Air conditioning is an indispensable element of the hospitality you want to offer your customers. A comfortable climate in the business, cool in summer and cosy in winter, with always fresh air, is just as essential as good staff, an attractive product range or a balanced menu. Air conditioning allows you to create the ideal climate for your customers to feel most comfortable all year round. And when your customers feel at ease, they will stay longer and be happy to come back.
Modern air-conditioning systems are compact, aesthetically designed and almost noiseless. The possibilities in systems and models seem endless. You can choose between systems with or without integrated ventilation, capable of cooling as well as heating. Moreover, you can choose between wall models, floor models and ceiling models. Satellite models can be installed almost invisibly in the ceiling, with only the intake and discharge grilles visible. Combined with an air curtain, you can keep the heat in and drafts out.
What should you pay attention to?
Climate control is a precise business: the desired temperature and the right humidity are essential, and this applies to every room. Therefore, it is very important to choose carefully when selecting an air conditioning system. Even better is to seek advice from your installer. Below are some important recommendations:
What demands do you make on the indoor climate?
Do you only want air conditioning? Or also ventilation? Do you want to use air conditioning as a main heating system? These choices determine the choice of air-conditioning system.
A shop? An office? A living room? A bedroom? Each application places different demands on the air-conditioning system.
Consider the noise level of the air conditioning system, not only from the indoor unit but also from the outdoor unit (keeping your neighbours in mind!).
The right capacity
A system with too much power leads to draughts, wildly fluctuating temperatures and high energy costs. With too little power, you never reach the desired temperature. Choosing an air-conditioning system is above all: accurate calculation by Aircobrabant.
The location of the inner part
The right choice of indoor unit model is determined by the possibilities on site. Is there a suspended ceiling? Is there wall space? Etc. The location of the indoor unit is also very important. Each indoor unit has its own air pattern and cooling capacity. Incorrect placement leads to draughts and noise.
The location of the outer part
The outdoor part should also be suitably located, on a sufficiently solid surface and easily accessible for inspection and maintenance.
Especially in our humid Dutch maritime climate, the outdoor unit must be able to withstand extreme conditions. Weather resistance determines the lifespan of the installation.
The air filtration
There are dust particles floating in the air that we would like to filter out. This also applies to removing odours. Modern air conditioners are equipped with filters that trap mould, mites, tobacco smoke, dust and pollen, break down odours and even render bacteria and viruses harmless.
The aesthetic aspects
Where will the inner parts be? On the floor? On the wall? On the ceiling? Or concealed in the ceiling? That choice is a matter of taste, space and use of space. In a bedroom, for example, you have very different requirements in terms of placement than in a shop.
How do you want to operate the in installation ? A fixed wall control with extended weekly timer(s), an infrared operation, or a wifi controller. Each situation requires different operating preferences. If you choose an online Wifi controller, you can operate/manage the installation(s) from anywhere with internet access. So also outdoors.
The supplier: Aircobrabant
This is perhaps the most important piece of advice: air conditioning is best bought from and installed by a recognised installation company. Calculating, putting together and installing an air conditioning system is work for the professional. Unfortunately, we still often see poorly functioning air-conditioning systems as a result of sloppy installation work by an unauthorised installer. So always choose a skilled, certified installer. We always examine the situation on site, discuss all the details with you, provide a clear all-inclusive quote (i.e. no extra costs afterwards) and minimise any inconvenience. Packing materials are removed by Aircobrabant and the rooms are left tidy. Maintenance, too, is in trusted hands with Aircobrabant, ensuring that your precious installation operates smoothly for years to come.
