What
is a heat pump?
What is VRV or VRF?
What
does an inverter do?
My air conditioning is not working
- What can I do?
What is COP?
What
is EER?
What is Energy Labelling?
My system has a warranty - Why do I need a maintenance
contract?
Do refrigerants harm the ozone layer?
Can
I catch legionella from my air conditioning?
I have been
told that air conditioning spreads viruses and bacteria - Does it?
Please
explain the difference between air conditioning, comfort cooling and close control?
The fuse keeps blowing on my air conditioning - Why?
The air conditioning is running but is not cooling/heating?
The air conditioning is running but the airflow is much
lower than I remember?
I have lost my operating instructions
- Can I get another copy? What is a heat
pump? A heat pump is a machine that by reversing it's refrigeration
cycle can provide heating in stead of cooling. Because a heat pump uses a refrigerant
it can upgrade the heat in air at even -15ºC to a usable heat source to heat
buildings. Difficult to understand perhaps but imagine a domestic fridge or freezer,
reverse its cycle and that black grille on the back will be very cold whilst inside
will be very hot. Heat pumps can extract heat from air and water and are
nearly always used to both heat and cool a building very efficiently and economically. Top
What is VRV or VRF? VRV is a system
developed and designed by Daikin Industries and means "variable refrigerant
volume". Daikin protected the term VRV so other manufacturers use the term
VRF "variable refrigerant flow". In principle they both work the same
and are extremely efficient, reliable, energy saving ways to heat and cool all
types of buildings with minimum installation time or disruption. The volume
or flow rate of refrigerant is accurately matched to the required heating or cooling
loads thereby saving energy and providing more accurate control. In short,
they are probably the best systems currently available for mid to large applications. Top
What does an inverter do? An electrical
inverter is used to vary the frequency of the power supply from a normal UK 50Hz
enabling fine step speed control of motors (compressors) this in turn varies the
quantity of refrigerant delivered and hence variable cooling or heating capacity. Top
My air conditioning is not working - What
can I do? One of the most common causes of failure is that some one
has switched off the power supply. So check that fuses circuit breakers and isolators
are all OK and working. Another common cause is blocked air filters, so
check they are clean and are regularly kept clean. It helps to refer to the manufacturers
operating instructions as well. If all else fails and you are still having
a problem, contact our service department. What is
COP? Coefficient of Performance, which is the ratio between the power
input and power output. For example a modern heat pump will provide 3kw of heat
for 1kw of electrical power input. Therefore the COP is expressed as 3 - 1. Top
What is EER? Energy efficiency ratio
is used to express the relative efficiency of a heating or cooling device by dividing
the heat output by the power input. The higher the ratio compared to others, the
better the system is. Top What
is Energy Labelling? Energy labelling is a new way of allowing consumers
to easily compare and rate the efficiency of air conditioners and systems, similar
to that used for domestic appliances such as fridge's and washing machines etc. Top
My system has a warranty - Why do I need
a maintenance contract?
Air conditioning and building services systems
require regular maintenance to ensure safety and optimum operational efficiency.
Warranties are only applicable if the system or equipment is regularly maintained
by an approved organisation. To simply explain, relate this to a car which
like air conditioning has many rotating and wearing parts, your warranty will
not be honoured if you don't have regular servicing (maintenance). Top
Do refrigerants harm the ozone layer? Some
do and others do not, however it is a very complex issue and needs more space
than we have here. In principle all refrigerants handled by competent companies
and technicians will never be released to the atmosphere so will not deplete the
ozone layer. Because accidents happen, alternative refrigerants are being developed
all the time, but it is important to note that refrigerants are not a major problem
as many other contaminates cause global warming problems. Primary problems are
caused by burning fossil fuels, e.g. petrol diesel, oil etc. Top
Can I catch legionella from my air conditioning? It
is highly unlikely, you are more likely to catch it from a shower head in a hotel
room that has not been used for a long time. But, legionella can be caught from
the aerosol spray of infected cooling towers of larger, older and poorly maintained
air conditioning systems. Top I
have been told that air conditioning spreads viruses and bacteria - Does it? No
more than you do or any ventilation system does for airborne viruses and bacteria.
Many people are susceptible to dryness sometimes caused when an air conditioning
system is badly designed or maintained and the relative humidity is reduced too
much. It's a fact that basically coughs and sneezes spread diseases, but some
people will blame anything for their ills rather than understand the facts. Top
Please explain the difference between
air conditioning, comfort cooling and close control? Air conditioning
covers many things but is mainly, heating, cooling, ventilation, fresh air, filtration
and control of humidity. Comfort cooling mainly relates to provision of
just cooling to improve comfort. Close control air conditioning is really
as the name implies, both temperature, humidity and air cleanliness are closely
controlled and often to fine tolerances if necessary. Top
The fuse keeps blowing on my air conditioning
- Why? It could be that there is a problem with the compressor and you
are advised to contact us for further assistance. It could also be that a fuse
or circuit breaker has recently been replaced but the wrong replacement (smaller
rating) has been fitted. Check, but only if you are qualified to work on electrical
systems. Top The air
conditioning is running but is not cooling/heating? Many reasons, the
simplest being that you may have inadvertently set it to fan only operation. Unfortunately
it may also indicate a serious fault, Check your operating instructions but if
no luck, give our service department a call. Top The
air conditioning is running but the airflow is much lower than I remember? Have
you cleaned your air filter? - The most important user maintenance is to keep
those air filters clean. Top I
have lost my operating instructions - Can I get another copy? Quite
possibly, contact those nice people at Comfort and they may be able to send you
copies or at least advise you how to proceed. Top
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