Of the many luxuries that we enjoy, air conditioners are among the most important. These units do more than just cool rooms. Air conditioning units are a must-have in industries, factories and offices, because they save electrical appliances from overheating. Besides this, air conditioners are also beneficial for those suffering from breathing problems as they filter and purify the air they let out.

While these units provide us with so many benefits, they have an irreversible effect on the environment. Most air conditioners use CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) as their refrigerants to help the cooling process go smoothly. But CFCs have been considered an ozone depleting substance. This is mainly due to the presence of chlorine in the refrigerant.

Refrigerants, when released, rise up into the atmosphere and undergo chemical changes, which then react to the sunlight. It results in the disintegration of the CFC molecules and separates the chlorine atoms. These atoms then react with the ozone (O3) and cause it to break down. When the ozone layer starts to break down, a hole begins to form in it making it possible for the ultra violet rays of the sun to seep through. Scientists have already discovered a hole in the ozone layer above the Antarctic region which could prove to be fatal should the hole grow.

To reduce the chances of this happening, environmentalists and government agencies from all over the world have replaced CFCs as refrigerants in air conditioners with less harmful refrigerants like R-410A. The new refrigerant is composed of HFCs (hydroflouorcarbons) as they have less potential for damaging the ozone layer.

The transition from ozone-depleting refrigerants like R-22 in air conditioning units to air conditioning systems that use the replacement refrigerants such as R-410A has necessitated the redesign of many air conditioning and heat pump systems. The new air conditioning units use compressors and other air conditioning components that are especially designed to be used with the replacement and more environmentally friendly refrigerants.

As a consumer, you must be aware that the dealers of air conditioning systems that use the more environmental friendly refrigerants should be informed about the installation techniques and service required for the substitute refrigerant.

The Montreal Protocol was signed by many developing and developed countries of the world to prohibit the production and use of refrigerants that caused ozone depletion. Additionally, by using and containing refrigerants with responsibility - meaning the recovery, recycling, and reclaiming of refrigerants to reduce leaks - the effects on global warming and ozone depletion can be minimised.

An air conditioning system that is properly installed will rarely develop any refrigerant leaks and with a proper and regular service, the effects of the air conditioning system on the environment can be significantly minimised. It is vital to know that a refrigeration leak in your air conditioning system will not only be harmful to the environment but also increase maintenance costs.

If you are considering purchasing an air conditioning system for your home or office, one important thing that you can do in terms of helping the environment and reducing maintenance costs is to choose an air conditioner dealer that is known for employing qualified service technicians who are capable of handling refrigerants.

The importance of air conditioners is inevitable in our lives today. From simply being luxury units that only the well-to-do could afford, air conditioners are one of the most common appliances that can be found in homes, offices and a number of other places today. Without a doubt, air conditioners are units with a very long life span which can even last up to about 20 years, provided they are well maintained. Here are some important maintenance tips to help you increase the life of your air conditioning unit.

• The compressor, which is usually on the outside, is one of the most important parts of an air conditioner, so keep it clean all the time. It should be kept clear of shrubs and tall grass so that there is adequate air flow for the unit

• Checking the hoses for leaks is necessary and should be done twice a year. Once before starting the use of the unit for summer and before putting it away for the winter

• Clean and change the filters in the air conditioners, especially during the summer when allergens and dust circulate

• Ensuring the ductwork of air conditioners is cleaned can increase the life of the units. This can be done by a professional.

Getting a professional service technician to check air conditioners is important to measure the flow of air over the units cooling coils and to measure and see if the refrigerant being used requires recharging. These tips can prove to be very useful in raising the longevity of air conditioners and can also make them more efficient.

If you want to ensure that your air conditioner works efficiently and for a long time, then it is important to maintain it properly and regularly. The accurate maintenance of your air conditioner will ensure that it works smoothly and increases its lifespan and efficiency. If you maintain your air conditioner properly, it will provide you with cool air and work efficiently for many years.

Some important tips that help in the efficient running of your air conditioner are:

• Cleaning or replacing the filters of your air conditioner. This should be done at least once a month, especially in summer months to prevent the circulation of dust and allergens
• Ensuring the condenser is draining properly and freely and checking the hose pipes for any leaks
• You must keep the compressor as clean as possible and clear away debris that is near it
• The ductwork for your air conditioner should be inspected by a professional technician annually and if any repairs are needed, it should be done
• All plants and furniture should be at least one foot away from the air conditioner to ensure proper airflow around the unit

Another important point to remember is to always switch off the air conditioner unit when you are working around or inspecting it. Ideally, you must have a professional service technician inspect your air conditioner at least twice a year to detect any leaks or damage.

R-22 can be considered as one of the most harmful refrigerant gases as it has an adverse effect on the environment. In the past, R-22 was widely used as a refrigerant gas for many air conditioning and other systems. This contributed to the problem of global warming. Hence, many countries have come together, in an attempt to convert the usage of R-22 as a refrigerant within commercial facilities to much more environment friendly alternatives.

Today, the few refrigerants that are approved by the environmental agencies for the use in commercial facilities include ammonia, R407c and R404A.

Refrigerants are important, especially when it comes to operations that include heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems that are installed in most of the business and commercial facilities. These refrigerants are also found in places like process chillers as well as other industrial refrigerant plants. The extensive use of harmful refrigerants is a concern due to the fact that they release hydro chlorofluorocarbons, especially when they leak. This is harmful as it contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer, thereby contributing to the problem of global warming.

R-22 is very harmful and hence the use of such refrigerants should be avoided at all costs. You can contribute to reduce the effect of global warming by simply purchasing air conditioning systems that use R-410A as the refrigerant gas.

When it comes to the environment, we all know that there are a number of organisations that are trying to protect and preserve it. The reason that there are so many environmental protection agencies is because it is an important topic and requires ongoing research and regulation. While many are pledging their support to this cause, there are huge hurdles that have to be crossed, and one of these hurdles is protecting the Ozone layer from depletion due to the release of harmful substances.

How is the Ozone layer getting depleted?
The Ozone layer which is the topmost layer of the stratosphere is being continually depleted due to harmful air conditioner refrigerants that are being released. Although they cannot be seen, common refrigerants in air conditioners like R-22 cause the break down of the Ozone layers molecules.

What will happen if the Ozone layer continues to be depleted?
The depletion of the ozone layer will result in the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun reaching the earth’s surface. This in turn could prove to be dangerous to all life forms on earth because it can cause a number of illnesses and diseases.

What measures are being taken to control it?
Environmentalists have been working tirelessly to deal with this issue. The first step is developing eco-friendly air conditioner refrigerants that will replace R-22 systems. Many air conditioner manufacturers have stopped developing R-22 systems in order to reduce the damage to the Ozone layer.

Air conditioning units are very popular and are widely used in many household and commercial locations. Those of us that own an air conditioner, often tend to avoid its service and maintenance. Air conditioning units make a good investment only when they are serviced at regular intervals. Neglecting the maintenance aspect can lead to various problems. For example, if you do not service an air conditioning unit for a long time, the unit may break down and stop working. This could be really frustrating as the repairs of these units can be expensive.

When it comes to an air conditioning unit, it is better to get your air conditioning unit serviced regularly rather than paying more when it develops a fault. When air conditioning units are not serviced regularly, their efficiency level decreases and it starts consuming more electricity, thereby increasing your electricity bills. It may also start giving other problems like improper airflow as well as improper cooling.

Your air conditioning unit may also start making a noise, which can be really irritating. To avoid such problems, it is always advisable to service your air conditioning unit at least once every six months.
An air conditioning maintenance company can send a trained professional to service your unit. With adequate servicing, you can relax and enjoy a pleasant cool summer.

Most things we own need to be looked after and treated with care if we want then to last for a long time. Whether it is a car or a home, we know that it has to be cleaned and properly taken care of, if we want it to remain in good working condition. Just like other things we own we should also spend some time attending to our air conditioning units.

In the summer months these units provide us with cool air and thus a suitable environment to line in. For this reason, it is vital that we maintain our air conditioning units properly if we want them to last for many more summers. Here are a few important things to know about air conditioning maintenance.

• Air conditioning units that are not regularly maintained can use up more energy than they should. However, regularly servicing can help save about 20 % of the energy it uses, which will thus reduce utility bills

• Changing and cleaning filters after certain intervals of time is important because it can stop the unit from breaking down and also because it ensures the air in the room is clean and fresh

• Cleaning the compressors of air conditioners is also necessary to get rid of dirt and debris that could cause the units to break down.

Hiring a professional company to conduct regular checks on the air conditioning unit is a must to ensure that the unit is in good running condition. Regular maintenance of air conditioners can ensure that even if repairs are required it will not be as expensive as changing the entire unit.

Most people purchase an air conditioning unit but fail to maintain it on a regular basis. If the air conditioning unit is not checked over on a regular basis it will not function effectively. Before turning on the air conditioning unit, you need to make sure that the condensing unit is located outside and ensure that it is not covered or blocked by anything.

The air filter inside the air conditioning unit also needs to be cleaned regularly. If the air filter becomes dirty, it will eventually restrict the air flow, so make sure you replace it whenever it looks like it is becoming clogged. A dirty air filter will restrict air flow and will also cause the unit to reduce its efficiency. In a few cases, the evaporator may also get iced up so keep an eye out for that too.

Disposable fibreglass filters that are available also need to be replaced regularly. A properly cleaned and maintained air conditioner will always operate at its top efficiency and will be able to cool the room more effectively.

The water drainage of the air conditioning unit should also be checked regularly. Once the air conditioning unit starts to cool the air, moisture and water is removed. This is the same moisture that is utilised for cooling the unit.

Many air conditioning units used today run on R-22 refrigerants. These refrigerants are known to cause disastrous effects on the ozone layer. So, if you have an air conditioning unit that works on R-22 refrigerants, make sure that you replace these refrigerants with ozone friendly ones.

Most air conditioning units used today utilise R-22 refrigerants in them. Research shows that R-22 refrigerants cause disastrous effects to our environment. It mainly causes the depletion of the ozone layer, which will eventually leave our environment without ozone. If this happens, harmful ultra violet rays will directly reach the surface of our earth. Harmful UV rays from sun can cause a number of problems like skin burns, skin cancer and eye cataracts not to mention the effect on the planet itself and the wildlife.

In order to replace the ozone depleting R-22 refrigerants from the air conditioning units to a safer R-410A refrigerant, you will most like need a completely redesigned air conditioning unit along with its heat pump. New air conditioning units incorporate a redesigned compressor along with several different components.

So, if you have an air conditioning unit at your home or office, make sure that it runs on non ozone depleting refrigerant. Ensuring this will greatly help to save our environment from damages. If you are planning to purchase a new air conditioning unit, make sure that it runs on R-410A and is highly energy efficient as well. Having a highly energy efficient system will considerably help to reduce the energy cost.

At the time of purchasing air conditioning units there are a few things you need to consider – its cost, reliability, performance and its energy efficiency. If you already own an air conditioning unit, make sure you service it regularly to maintain its efficiency.