A recent study carried out by ICM research, which surveyed 2003 adults, indicates that in hot weather 28% of the national total, choose to open their windows during hot weather, rather than turning their air conditioning on. However, this is false economy – the drag created by the open window can affect a car’s aerodynamics and therefore fuel consumption.
Kwik Fit admits that an open window is a better option when you’re stuck in traffic, however once moving they advise to turn on your air conditioning instead. They state that an open window can decrease fuel efficiency by 5% and that the nation’s fuel bill could be increased by over £650,000 with the ‘windows down’ approach.
Customer services director at Kwik Fit, David White, said “With fuel prices higher than ever, it’s understandable that motorists are looking for ways to squeeze every last mile out of their tank”. However, he advises that we need to be careful and make the right choices. “Using air conditioning is far more fuel efficient on the open road and a whole deal more pleasant too”.
The research shows that those in Birmingham, Manchester, Norwich and Sheffield are big air con fans and are more likely to keep their windows shut. But motorists in and around London, Liverpool, Oxford and Edinburgh are most likely to have their air con off and have their windows down.
For the lucky ones of us who have air conditioning in our cars, we need to remember to give the air con systems a regular service and maintenance, just like the other parts of our car. This makes sure that it’s working effectively, as it needs to be recharged every two years because of gas naturally leaking from the system.
Our air conditioners can be neglected until we desperately need them over the summer. Not keeping up with maintenance on your unit can run up a huge bill for some consumers. It is said that air conditioners can lose up to around 5% of its overall efficiency if they go without maintenance each year. Air conditioner lovers can avoid unexpected failure during the hot summer by looking out for signs that their air con units are due for service.
Check out for obvious signs
Obvious signs that air conditioning units aren’t running to their full potential include; when the humidity in your home or office has increased and if it hasn’t been cooling your rooms as effectively as it has done in the past.
Not always recognisable
We understand that it isn’t always easy to know if your air conditioning unit has a problem, which is why maintenance every year can be important. Maintenance and inspections may include; checking the refrigerant levels to make sure there are no leaks, inspect safety controls, cleaning or changing the filters, cleaning and checking the compressor and electrical components, cleaning the outdoor coil and checking the air flow and temperature. Customers should make sure that they call a professional to clean, inspect and tune their air conditioning units. This ensures that your air conditioning unit is in safe hands and will be maintained property.
Is it time to replace your air conditioning unit?
If your air conditioner unit is over 10 years old, it’s more than likely that you’ll have an expensive bill for maintenance repairs. If so, it could be time to start thinking about replacing your old air conditioning unit. With the new technology around, it’s possible to get more energy efficient and environmentally friendly model. Even though they can be more expensive to buy, they can use less energy which may save you money in the long run.
For offices that don’t have permanent air conditioning in their building, most still have portable air conditioning units to keep their staff cool while at work. The portable air conditioning units can be a struggle to drag to the window and most people will wonder why they weigh so much.
The answer to why they are so heavy is because of the copper that’s inside of them. The systems have three important components including a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator. They are all loaded with copper which is weighs an enormous 558 pounds for each cubic feet of metal – pretty heavy! You may wonder what the components actually do. The condenser helps ready the system’s refrigerant for the cooling process, the evaporator helps cool the air and the compressor helps move refrigerant back and forth between them. These copper components make up almost 60% of the weight of the air conditioning unit!
Copper is the number 1 choice among air conditioning manufacturers as it’s abundant, a good conductor of heat and it’s relatively inexpensive which enables us to have access to cheap air conditioning units to help keep us cool in the heat.
With air conditioning units being around for some time, we would have thought that lighter, smaller, powerful units would have been invented by now. However, engineers are more interested and focusing on making the units more environmentally friendly. A technique called ‘dew-point cooling’ is being experimented on at the moment. Rather than using fossil fuels, this technique relies on the natural energy produced by evaporating water. Greener units may become available in the future, but it’s not clear if they’ll be significantly lighter.
The British summer is upon us and even though we’re not having the hottest weather at the moment, it may soon well be. Before it does turn hot, it gives us plenty of time to check and maintain our air conditioning units.
July and August is when we start to get calls from hot and bothered people who have air conditioning units, including the LG R410a and need maintenance done. Ideally it’s best for customers to call us in spring, when it’s not too hot so we can prepare them for the sizzling summer.
You can help upkeep your air conditioning unit at home by spotting leaks and checking the filters in the unit. If they are dirty, it’s easy to clean them out. Ideally they should be changed every three months – but it depends how much you actually use the air conditioning.
Another tip is to make sure the unit is not clogged or covered with dirt or leaves outside the house. However, don’t use a water hose to clean the unit out because of the risk of electric shocks.
To make sure cool air won’t leak from supply ducts, which can make your air conditioning units less efficient, is to have your ducts sealed. This can also prevent hot air seeping into return ducts, which may overwork your air conditioning unit.
If you have had your air conditioning for a long time and have not had any maintenance work on the unit, contact GT Refrigeration for a check up as we can tune, repair or replace your units.
The heat, sun and rain are making most of us feel stuffy in our environment at the moment, especially at work. If you have one of those portable air conditioning units that stick out the office window, it may be time to think about getting a permanent cooling fixture. At GT Refrigeration, we install different types of refrigeration units in London and also out of London. The following is just a few of the different types of air conditioning units we offer:
Cassette Range
The cassette ranges are popular air conditioning units for offices or large open plan homes, as they deliver a directional flow of air throughout the room where it’s needed the most. Cassette air conditioning is also discreet when in position, so doesn’t detract the interior decor.
Wall Mounted Range
The wall mounted ranges are probably one of our most popular air conditioning units as they are easy to install and versatile to fit on different walls. Most modern wall mounted units are energy efficient, quiet and have high performance heating and cooling available for maximum comfort.
Ducted Range
Designed to be concealed, ducted range air conditioning units can be installed on the ground or suspended ceiling. The ducted range is definitely a choice for those who want to conceal their air conditioning unit within their room, so it doesn’t disturb the decor.
We offer and can install different types of air conditioning units to suit your office or home. For more information, take a look at our website or feel free to give us a call.
Because of the nuclear power shortages caused by the tsunami and earthquake in March earlier this year, Japan’s Government has asked government offices and companies to cut electricity use by 15%. They want companies to set room temperatures at a warm 28 degrees Celsius and limit their air conditioning usage.
In another attempt to use less energy, Japan’s government has launched a “Super Cool Biz” campaign to encourage workers to come to work in casual, more lightweight clothing instead of the traditional tie and suit. Workers have started coming into work in trainers, polo shirts and even in some cases flip-flops.
Cool Biz was actually launched in 2005 by Yuriko Koike, the then environment minister, but people didn’t warm to the campaign as they found it sloppy and undignified. Koike said “People have started to grow accustomed to it, with the Cool Biz campaign now being in its sixth year”.
Many local government staff in Tokyo have been starting work an hour early, coming into the office at 7.30am and leaving at 4.15pm, in an attempt to save power and exploit the early daylight hours, by using less air conditioning and lights in the office.
Different industries have also joined forces to save power. Japan’s carmakers have agreed to have Thursdays and Fridays off as their break and work on Saturdays and Sundays instead in order to avoid power shortages by using energy at off-peak times.
Japan’s government has also advised households to unplug electrical appliances when not in use, raise temperatures on their refrigerators and use electric fans instead of air conditioners.
The eruption of Iceland’s Grimsvotn has left holiday makers across Europe experience delays or cancelled flights. It has spread fears that we could see a repeat of last year’s ash cloud that caused chaos all over Europe. However, it has done more than disrupt air travel.
Thora Arnorsdottir, a senior reporter from the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service went to visit the small town of Kirkjubaejarklaustur which has been covered in ash and is totally shut out of daylight. All the buildings and vehicles are covered in dust. Arnorsdottir explains that “At the end of May during normal circumstances, the town is usually bright for at least 20 hours a day but at the moment people could mistake it for winter.”
Cars are still working and running around the small town despite the thick ash covering them. People must obviously drive more carefully, avoid turning the air conditioning on and remember to change the filters frequently.
Unnar Steinn, who owns the only store in town, is still open for business as usual. He states that “People are just staying at home and they have to get food from somewhere.”
No one has the courage to leave the house without wearing a protective mask or eye goggles.
Arnorsdottir said “It’s hard to breathe. It’s physically impossible to stay outside more than a couple of minutes at the time. You cry constantly as the eyes try to fight the ash.”
One resident said “At least it’s the 21st Century where we can at least flee into a concrete building and catch our breath.”
Despite the ash covering up the town, the local residents have not evacuated the place.
The residents that Arnorsdottir met have said, “We will get through this together like the generations before us and it’s going to be over soon. We are just hoping Katla doesn’t erupt next year.”
Everyone knows that the weather in England can be unpredictable. At the end of April we experienced one of the hottest days of the year so far and it was also the hottest April day recorded since 1949! However, we have also witnessed thunder and lightning making it smoggy outside. It’s that time of year when we can’t decide whether we are hot or cold and just generally feel bothered and uncomfortable. Some of us may store a fan at home but there might be a wrestle for who gets to use it. Furthermore, having fans around is always a safety issue if you have kids. It could be time for you to think about getting air conditioning fitted in your house.
Most people think that air conditioning is just the cooling of the air, but it can also heat and clean the air making the home more comfortable to live in. Therefore, air conditioning is a year round solution. Nowadays, it’s not seen as a luxury having air conditioning – it’s a comfort, making your life as stress free as possible.
If you are thinking of getting air conditioning, make sure you do plenty of research first as there are different units and designs to suit specific requirements. You should take into consideration the effectiveness, energy consumption, technology, affordability and design. GT Solutions can offer a range of different air conditioning equipment including cassette, wall mounted, ducted, floor to ceiling, floor standing and multi split ranges available at competitive prices.
Since Japan’s recent earthquake and tsunami, nuclear power plants appear to be a topic of discussion. According to the Guardian online newspaper, the nuclear industry can ‘offer no guarantee against a repeat of Japan’s disaster’.
Nuclear power currently provides 6% of the world’s energy, there have been ongoing debates about whether this source of energy is sustainable; some people believe nuclear power poses a threat to people and the environment.
At present, Japanese authorities are concerned with the state of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant and are battling to reduce the risks of radiation. An evacuation zone has been imposed and all residents have been told to stay indoors. These steps could help reduce the risk of radiation on human health.
The Fukushima Daiichi plant was overwhelmed by the tsunami, causing an explosion, leading to radiation disaster. Some say perhaps the early generations of nuclear plant design are to be looked at to prevent damage happening again or should the blame be placed on the strong earthquake? Either way, it would appear trust in nuclear power has certainly decreased with the threat climate change poses.
Rob Bernard has stated the IT industry could take better measures to become more energy efficient. He claims only a small percentage are taking positive and proactive steps. This is clearly not enough! The problem appears to be the large data centres, these large facilities store digital data and massive amounts of equipment switched on all day and night.
Rob Bernard outlines ‘They don’t actively monitor and drive energy reduction. The problem is behaviour change – not technology. The first thing to do is have a governance model which has the IT department, the real estate facilities department and the financial officers all working together.”
The efficiency of data centres and cloud computing could be changed. Last November Microsoft realised a report that found cloud computing solutions in larger organisations could reduce energy use by 30%, including carbon emissions. By taking small steps all IT organisations should eventually become more energy efficient.
Kwik Fit admits that an open window is a better option when you’re stuck in traffic, however once moving they advise to turn on your air conditioning instead. They state that an open window can decrease fuel efficiency by 5% and that the nation’s fuel bill could be increased by over £650,000 with the ‘windows down’ approach.
Customer services director at Kwik Fit, David White, said “With fuel prices higher than ever, it’s understandable that motorists are looking for ways to squeeze every last mile out of their tank”. However, he advises that we need to be careful and make the right choices. “Using air conditioning is far more fuel efficient on the open road and a whole deal more pleasant too”.
The research shows that those in Birmingham, Manchester, Norwich and Sheffield are big air con fans and are more likely to keep their windows shut. But motorists in and around London, Liverpool, Oxford and Edinburgh are most likely to have their air con off and have their windows down.
For the lucky ones of us who have air conditioning in our cars, we need to remember to give the air con systems a regular service and maintenance, just like the other parts of our car. This makes sure that it’s working effectively, as it needs to be recharged every two years because of gas naturally leaking from the system.
Love your air conditioner
Check out for obvious signs
Obvious signs that air conditioning units aren’t running to their full potential include; when the humidity in your home or office has increased and if it hasn’t been cooling your rooms as effectively as it has done in the past.
Not always recognisable
We understand that it isn’t always easy to know if your air conditioning unit has a problem, which is why maintenance every year can be important. Maintenance and inspections may include; checking the refrigerant levels to make sure there are no leaks, inspect safety controls, cleaning or changing the filters, cleaning and checking the compressor and electrical components, cleaning the outdoor coil and checking the air flow and temperature. Customers should make sure that they call a professional to clean, inspect and tune their air conditioning units. This ensures that your air conditioning unit is in safe hands and will be maintained property.
Is it time to replace your air conditioning unit?
If your air conditioner unit is over 10 years old, it’s more than likely that you’ll have an expensive bill for maintenance repairs. If so, it could be time to start thinking about replacing your old air conditioning unit. With the new technology around, it’s possible to get more energy efficient and environmentally friendly model. Even though they can be more expensive to buy, they can use less energy which may save you money in the long run.
Straining your Back with the Air Conditioning Unit
The answer to why they are so heavy is because of the copper that’s inside of them. The systems have three important components including a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator. They are all loaded with copper which is weighs an enormous 558 pounds for each cubic feet of metal – pretty heavy! You may wonder what the components actually do. The condenser helps ready the system’s refrigerant for the cooling process, the evaporator helps cool the air and the compressor helps move refrigerant back and forth between them. These copper components make up almost 60% of the weight of the air conditioning unit!
Copper is the number 1 choice among air conditioning manufacturers as it’s abundant, a good conductor of heat and it’s relatively inexpensive which enables us to have access to cheap air conditioning units to help keep us cool in the heat.
With air conditioning units being around for some time, we would have thought that lighter, smaller, powerful units would have been invented by now. However, engineers are more interested and focusing on making the units more environmentally friendly. A technique called ‘dew-point cooling’ is being experimented on at the moment. Rather than using fossil fuels, this technique relies on the natural energy produced by evaporating water. Greener units may become available in the future, but it’s not clear if they’ll be significantly lighter.
Maintenance on your air conditioning unit
July and August is when we start to get calls from hot and bothered people who have air conditioning units, including the LG R410a and need maintenance done. Ideally it’s best for customers to call us in spring, when it’s not too hot so we can prepare them for the sizzling summer.
You can help upkeep your air conditioning unit at home by spotting leaks and checking the filters in the unit. If they are dirty, it’s easy to clean them out. Ideally they should be changed every three months – but it depends how much you actually use the air conditioning.
Another tip is to make sure the unit is not clogged or covered with dirt or leaves outside the house. However, don’t use a water hose to clean the unit out because of the risk of electric shocks.
To make sure cool air won’t leak from supply ducts, which can make your air conditioning units less efficient, is to have your ducts sealed. This can also prevent hot air seeping into return ducts, which may overwork your air conditioning unit.
If you have had your air conditioning for a long time and have not had any maintenance work on the unit, contact GT Refrigeration for a check up as we can tune, repair or replace your units.
In need of some summer cooling?
Cassette Range
The cassette ranges are popular air conditioning units for offices or large open plan homes, as they deliver a directional flow of air throughout the room where it’s needed the most. Cassette air conditioning is also discreet when in position, so doesn’t detract the interior decor.
Wall Mounted Range
The wall mounted ranges are probably one of our most popular air conditioning units as they are easy to install and versatile to fit on different walls. Most modern wall mounted units are energy efficient, quiet and have high performance heating and cooling available for maximum comfort.
Ducted Range
Designed to be concealed, ducted range air conditioning units can be installed on the ground or suspended ceiling. The ducted range is definitely a choice for those who want to conceal their air conditioning unit within their room, so it doesn’t disturb the decor.
We offer and can install different types of air conditioning units to suit your office or home. For more information, take a look at our website or feel free to give us a call.
Japan’s energy saving campaign
In another attempt to use less energy, Japan’s government has launched a “Super Cool Biz” campaign to encourage workers to come to work in casual, more lightweight clothing instead of the traditional tie and suit. Workers have started coming into work in trainers, polo shirts and even in some cases flip-flops.
Cool Biz was actually launched in 2005 by Yuriko Koike, the then environment minister, but people didn’t warm to the campaign as they found it sloppy and undignified. Koike said “People have started to grow accustomed to it, with the Cool Biz campaign now being in its sixth year”.
Many local government staff in Tokyo have been starting work an hour early, coming into the office at 7.30am and leaving at 4.15pm, in an attempt to save power and exploit the early daylight hours, by using less air conditioning and lights in the office.
Different industries have also joined forces to save power. Japan’s carmakers have agreed to have Thursdays and Fridays off as their break and work on Saturdays and Sundays instead in order to avoid power shortages by using energy at off-peak times.
Japan’s government has also advised households to unplug electrical appliances when not in use, raise temperatures on their refrigerators and use electric fans instead of air conditioners.
The Volcanic Ash Strikes Again
T
he eruption of Iceland’s Grimsvotn has left holiday makers across Europe experience delays or cancelled flights. It has spread fears that we could see a repeat of last year’s ash cloud that caused chaos all over Europe. However, it has done more than disrupt air travel.
Thora Arnorsdottir, a senior reporter from the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service went to visit the small town of Kirkjubaejarklaustur which has been covered in ash and is totally shut out of daylight. All the buildings and vehicles are covered in dust. Arnorsdottir explains that “At the end of May during normal circumstances, the town is usually bright for at least 20 hours a day but at the moment people could mistake it for winter.”
Cars are still working and running around the small town despite the thick ash covering them. People must obviously drive more carefully, avoid turning the air conditioning on and remember to change the filters frequently.
Unnar Steinn, who owns the only store in town, is still open for business as usual. He states that “People are just staying at home and they have to get food from somewhere.”
No one has the courage to leave the house without wearing a protective mask or eye goggles.
Arnorsdottir said “It’s hard to breathe. It’s physically impossible to stay outside more than a couple of minutes at the time. You cry constantly as the eyes try to fight the ash.”
One resident said “At least it’s the 21st Century where we can at least flee into a concrete building and catch our breath.”
Despite the ash covering up the town, the local residents have not evacuated the place.
The residents that Arnorsdottir met have said, “We will get through this together like the generations before us and it’s going to be over soon. We are just hoping Katla doesn’t erupt next year.”
Here’s hoping!
Don’t sweat!
Everyone knows that the weather in England can be unpredictable. At the end of April we experienced one of the hottest days of the year so far and it was also the hottest April day recorded since 1949! However, we have also witnessed thunder and lightning making it smoggy outside. It’s that time of year when we can’t decide whether we are hot or cold and just generally feel bothered and uncomfortable. Some of us may store a fan at home but there might be a wrestle for who gets to use it. Furthermore, having fans around is always a safety issue if you have kids. It could be time for you to think about getting air conditioning fitted in your house.
Most people think that air conditioning is just the cooling of the air, but it can also heat and clean the air making the home more comfortable to live in. Therefore, air conditioning is a year round solution. Nowadays, it’s not seen as a luxury having air conditioning – it’s a comfort, making your life as stress free as possible.
If you are thinking of getting air conditioning, make sure you do plenty of research first as there are different units and designs to suit specific requirements. You should take into consideration the effectiveness, energy consumption, technology, affordability and design. GT Solutions can offer a range of different air conditioning equipment including cassette, wall mounted, ducted, floor to ceiling, floor standing and multi split ranges available at competitive prices.
Climate Change Vs Nuclear Power
Since Japan’s recent earthquake and tsunami, nuclear power plants appear to be a topic of discussion. According to the Guardian online newspaper, the nuclear industry can ‘offer no guarantee against a repeat of Japan’s disaster’.
Nuclear power currently provides 6% of the world’s energy, there have been ongoing debates about whether this source of energy is sustainable; some people believe nuclear power poses a threat to people and the environment.
At present, Japanese authorities are concerned with the state of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant and are battling to reduce the risks of radiation. An evacuation zone has been imposed and all residents have been told to stay indoors. These steps could help reduce the risk of radiation on human health.
The Fukushima Daiichi plant was overwhelmed by the tsunami, causing an explosion, leading to radiation disaster. Some say perhaps the early generations of nuclear plant design are to be looked at to prevent damage happening again or should the blame be placed on the strong earthquake? Either way, it would appear trust in nuclear power has certainly decreased with the threat climate change poses.
Microsoft’s environment chief claims IT industry needs to be more energy efficient
Rob Bernard has stated the IT industry could take better measures to become more energy efficient. He claims only a small percentage are taking positive and proactive steps. This is clearly not enough! The problem appears to be the large data centres, these large facilities store digital data and massive amounts of equipment switched on all day and night.
Rob Bernard outlines ‘They don’t actively monitor and drive energy reduction. The problem is behaviour change – not technology. The first thing to do is have a governance model which has the IT department, the real estate facilities department and the financial officers all working together.”
The efficiency of data centres and cloud computing could be changed. Last November Microsoft realised a report that found cloud computing solutions in larger organisations could reduce energy use by 30%, including carbon emissions. By taking small steps all IT organisations should eventually become more energy efficient.