Air Conditioning, Is It Really Necessary?

The advent of air conditioning has brought countless benefits to the world; human comfort being probably the main benefit we think of whenever we talk about air conditioning. The hot summer season spells inconvenience and a lot of sweat at work and at home without air conditioning. On the other hand, the coming of winter signifies torment with the unbearably frigid temperatures that come along with it if one is without air conditioning.

Most office buildings and industrial plants in most countries of the world have air conditioning facilities installed to provide good working environment for their work forces. In temperate countries, modern premises are well equipped with sufficient air conditioning systems to cool both workers and products, especially when the temperature is high all year round.

An office air conditioning system can provide full control of temperature, dust, humidity and air distribution unlike most home cooling systems. Basically, an office air conditioner resembles a room air conditioner where a refrigerant passes through a cooling coil and refrigeration occurs in a separate unit. Multi-storey office buildings on the other hand require larger units and use water-cooled condensers since air-cooled condensers are often not available. A separate cooling tower is usually included in water-cooled condensers in order to conserve water. The condenser water in the cooling tower is cooled by evaporation into the outside air. Sometimes offices have different temperature requirements for different sections. In cases where different sections demand varying temperature settings, two air ducts are used. One duct carries cool air while the other duct carries warm air. Upon entering a space, air is then mixed to the desired temperature as indicated by the thermostat setting. Since space is valuable in any office building, all possibilities are exhausted in order to save this. That's why duct systems with significantly much higher air velocity and air pressure compared with those used in home systems are being used specifically for office air conditioning.

Today's modern school buildings have been provided with cooling equipment as well. Some building designs expose the indoor environment to the heat of the sun especially during the summer season. There are many one-storey schools with huge east and west glass walls and a lot of solar exposure through the roof and windows. These types of buildings necessitate the use of air conditioning units for effective teaching and learning, especially during the hot and humid months of summer. Studies show that there is a correlation between the use of air conditioning and the significant decline in absenteeism during the hot summer days. There is also inconclusive evidence that points to the decrease in respiratory ailments where air conditioning is used in offices and schools.

Air conditioning, whether to provide cool air during hot weather or warm air during cold weather, has proven to be one of the most valuable discoveries of our time. It has provided us with comfort and ease in our daily lives. Those who work in offices and teachers and students in schools can concentrate on their respective tasks because of the comfort that air conditioning provides. Can you imagine working in your office without it? You might just freak out!

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Air Conditioning