Air conditioners use chemicals that can be easily turned from gaseous state to liquid state and back into gaseous state. Air conditioning units transfer heat from air inside a room to outside.

However, it was found in late 1970s that the most common refrigerants like HCFC and CFC fluorocarbons gases were harmful for the environment. If they are released in the air they have a harmful impact on the ozone layer and lead to global warming.

The chemical components of CFC (chlorine, fluorine and carbon) are widely used as air conditioner refrigerants all over the world. In 1995 when it was discovered that CFC use results in depletion of the ozone layer, developed nations stopped manufacturing CFC’s. These nations considered such refrigerants as green house gases. These refrigerants have global warming potential of 3 to 10 times more than other refrigerants.

HCFC’s also deplete the ozone but only with a potential of only one-twentieth compared to CFC’s. Developed nations will stop the production of HCFCs by the year 2020.

The ideal refrigerant at this point of time is HFC as it has a zero potential to deplete the ozone layer. CFC was voted as a global warming gas whose discharge has to stop. Release of CFC in the atmosphere is restricted according to government regulations and polices.

Air conditioners are very useful in keeping us cool and feel relaxed; but most of us do not bother to service or maintain them, yet always wish they work for a long time. With the current cold temperatures in the UK, most air conditioning units will be turned off and will most probably be switched off till the summer.

While trying to keep an air conditioner in a perfect condition, some basic steps have to be followed. By taking good care of your air conditioner, you not only ensure that it lasts for a long time but also save a lot of money.

During winter, it is important to keep the air conditioner’s compressor covered. This protects the compressor from outside cold weather and snow. When purchasing an air conditioner, you should also enquire about purchasing a protective cover which will fit and cover the compressor perfectly.

Before you turn the air conditioner unit off for the winter months, always check and inspect the duct pipes for any leaks. This should again be repeated before the start of summer, when your unit is turned on again.

It is important to regularly clean the filter of the unit. This helps in preventing dirt and other materials from circulating with the cool air. Also, it is recommended to have a professional inspect and service your unit at least once a year.

Air conditioner maintenance is essential if you want it to last for a long time without any repair hassles and major expenses in repairs.

All things that we buy are rated to meet some criteria that state their quality. In same way, even air conditioner units are rated. The BTU of an air conditioning unit is equivalent to its capacity. Ranges of air conditioning systems are available based upon the BTU.

The BTU can rate from 5,000 units to 18,000 units. If the BTU of the air conditioning unit is high, the capacity of the unit will be high as well. But, you have to keep in mind that an air conditioning unit will be more expensive if it has high BTU rating.

SEER rate of the air conditioning units depends upon its efficiency as it works and consumes more energy. An air conditioning unit will consume less energy if the SEER rating is high; as a result, you will get lower electricity bills.

The most important feature that you should be kept in mind is checking whether the air conditioner emits pollutants or not. Rating of the air conditioners decreases if they discharge the pollutant that is hazardous for the environment.

It is sensible to purchase a unit which has a NO CFC label as it does not let out any harmful pollutants. You should also consider choosing a system that does not make any sort of noise.

Air conditioning systems have become an important part of our day-to-day life. Air conditioners provide us relief from warm weather, and can even give relief to cold winter weather. Nowadays, air conditioners have become very important even in offices and other institutions like schools, hospitals etc. Air conditioners are used in offices to provide employees a comfortable working environment.

Air conditioning units have different price tags and are manufactured under different brand names. Buying an air conditioning unit is an easier task than installing one. Installing an air conditioner is something that should only be done by a professional person.

Research done on installation of an air conditioning unit has shown that air conditioners which are not installed properly do not perform according to their capabilities. Therefore air conditioners should be installed correctly and in a professional manner.

Installing an air conditioner in the right way will make sure that it does not lose its capacity and efficiency. When you purchase an air conditioning system, you get an installation guide which instructs you about the installation procedure; but it is always recommended that you get your system installed from an expert technician. If you have knowledge about electricity and electronic products then you could install it by yourself however.

If you do install air conditioning system by yourself then you should keep in mind following things:
• Control systems should be easily reachable by hand.
• Fix the outdoor sir supply at proper place.
• Make sure that the charge of refrigerant is at proper level.
• Air flow should go through air handler.

If you want your air conditioner to last for a long time then you should maintain your air conditioner regularly by checking the unit on a regular basis. You should clean your air conditioner at least two times a year. Replacing the parts of the air conditioner is very expensive, so you should maintain your air conditioner to save yourself from huge repair expenses. Proper maintenance of air conditioning systems can save thousands pounds through out its life.

In order to keep your air conditioner in a top-notch condition you should follow these tips:

You should check the hose twice a year to avoid leakage problems. You should check it during the summer time when you turn on the unit and again during the winter when you turn off the unit. When you turn off the unit during the winter time is the best time to check out faults in your system.

The outside compressor should be cleaned every week or month with hose, by doing so you will keep it safe from dust. By calling professionals for cleaning ductwork every year you can increase the life-span of the air conditioning system, and the best thing is that it does not cost you much.

In order to protect the compressor from bad weather conditions like snow and sleet, you should cover the compressor. You should ask the supplier for a compressor cover to avoid any hassles.

In the hot summer months, these cooling units can make temperatures in rooms comfortable and bearable. Even in winter months, when doors and windows are all shut, air conditioners are turned on to circulate the air in the room to make it less stuffy and more comfortable.

However, not many people know that they are harmful to the environment. Air conditioners have a refrigerant that is used in the cooling process. These refrigerants that are mostly HCFC’s are usually in the form of R-22 are extremely dangerous to the ozone layer. During the cooling process, when let out into the atmosphere, R-22 contributes to the depletion of the ozone which is a protective covering to the earth.

Research shows that if the emission of this refrigerant continued, eventually the entire ozone layer would disappear leaving everything on earth unprotected and under massive danger of damage from the sun. With a view to eliminate this consequence a treaty, the Montreal Protocol, was signed which set limits on the production and use of ozone depleting substances like CFC’s and HCFC’s.

The latest measure that has been enforced by the Montreal Protocol is the gradual phasing out of substances like R-22, the refrigerant used in air conditioners and refrigerators. As per the regulation of the treaty, the sale and use of HCFC’s especially R-22 will be banned by 1st January 2010. This step is being taken to ensure the ozone layer stays intact for the generations to follow.

Global warming and rising temperatures have become the hottest topic for debates and seminars all over the world. However, very few people understand the depth of the problems that global warming can cause. The process has already begun and it can be seen in the form of high density storms, unpredictable weather, excessive rains and melting glaciers.

Air conditioners are used to keep the room cool and make us feel extremely light and comfortable even during the hottest possible day. Air conditioners are broadly used by everyone; however, very few people are aware of the risk our environment is facing from the refrigerants that are used in air conditioners for converting chemicals from gaseous state to liquid state.

A refrigerant is a chemical compound and it has the ability to convert gas to liquid and again back into gas. During the process, the hot air from the inside gets thrown out. Common refrigerants used in the air conditioners are CFCs (or chlorofluorocarbon) and HCFCs (or hydrochlorofluorocarbons). These gases when released into the atmosphere can cause excessive harm to the environment including one of the important issues of the ozone layer depletion which leads to global warming.

The impact of global warming is accelerating by the day and if the ozone layer continues to exhaust then we will come in direct contact with the destructive UV (or ultraviolet) rays that are released by the sun.

A comfortable, air conditioned room is the best way to stay away from the hustle bustle and relax. Many people find it difficult to breathe in the unbearable smoke from vehicles and humidity. For this purpose, many homes and companies have air conditioners.

However, majority of air conditioners use CFCs and HCFCs as refrigerants, these refrigerants are extremely harmful to the environment as they deplete the ozone layer. Depletion happens because these refrigerants have chlorine that is released in the atmosphere. Chlorine affects the ozone layer and causes ozone to deplete at an alarming rate.

Necessary steps have been taken to prevent further damage to the ozone layer. Many countries have made a regulation that refrigerants like R-22 will be phased out from year 2010 onwards. Refrigerant manufacturers are starting to produce an environment friendly and new refrigerant known as R-410A. R-410A does not deplete the ozone layer and is safer for the environment.

If you think that your air conditioner has become old then it is the time to replace it. While purchasing a new unit, make sure that it uses R410A refrigerant inside it. Newer models of air conditioners are ideal for the environment as hydrofluorocarbons refrigerants do not have any adverse effect on the environment. Refilling the air conditioners with the phased out gases will prove to be costly in coming time therefore it becomes important to make a sensible purchasing decision.

After January 2010, R-22 will not be allowed to be used in new air conditioner units. R-22 is known to have harmful effects on our environment. It causes the depletion of ozone layer which is an important part of our surrounding. The ozone layer prevents harmful ultraviolet rays from reaching the surface of earth.

R-22 has been one of the standard refrigerants used in air conditioners for many years. R-410A is the refrigerant that can readily act as a substitute R-22. It has a zero ozone depletion property. Other refrigerants that are safe to our environment are R-14A and R-407C.

If you are looking to purchase a new air conditioning unit, make sure that it operates on the new refrigerant and not R-22. R-22 has a capability of depleting our ozone layer. If the harmful ultraviolet rays reach the Earth’s surface it can be harmful to our health.

If you have an old air conditioning system, you can upgrade or buy the new system depending on your budget and exact needs. In the first case, you will only require changing of the evaporator coil, copper and the condenser. Of course, new air conditioning systems are more energy efficient and also will reduce your monthly electricity bill.

Our daily lives revolve around machines and we are so dependent on them that we tend to forget that our lives could be in danger. Every machine is capable of producing gases due to the chemical reactions that takes place within them. While some of the gases may settle in the atmosphere, some of them are so hazardous that they could affect the ozone layer.

Gases like R-22 are used in refrigerating units. R-22 will be phased out by the year 2010 as it poses high danger in the depletion of the ozone layer. However, there are a lot of people who continue to use old air conditioners and end up producing this harmful gas which affects the ozone layer. It is essential that people rise up and realise that if they do not put an end to this, the wide spread damage of R-22 could be devastating.

Newer ranges of air conditioners use the R410A gas which is an alternative to R-22 gas. R-410A is a highly efficient gas and has no damaging effect on the ozone layer. It is important that the common people awaken themselves and realise the harmful effects of the R-22 gas to our environment and the atmosphere. If we take an immediate action now, we can be successful in phasing out the R-22 gas at the earliest, so that the ozone layer is not disturbed and there is no scope for global warming.