All air conditioning units emit some degree of noise regardless of style or brand of air conditioner but there are ways to ensure the noise is minimal and that your office air conditioning unit adheres to office air conditioning regulations. Noise is measured in units called decibels and there are regulations in force for acceptable noise levels in all walks of life from noisy neighbours to the sound of industrial machinery where hearing protection may need to be worn. Without office air conditioning regulations in place, the workplace would be a very uncomfortable place to work and would eventually cause health issues and may even affect hearing.

What are Decibels?

The decibel or dB is a unit that measures sound intensity. Considering the human ear for a moment, it can hear the softest of fingertip touches on skin to the roar of a jet engine which is millions of times more powerful than the tiniest audible sound. The range a human ear can deal with is enormous but within that range there is a limit when the decibel level becomes dangerous. Below is a list of common sounds and their decibel levels:

• Total Silence – 0 dB
• Whisper – 15 dB
• Regular conversation – 60 dB
• Lawnmower – 90 dB
• Car Horn – 110 dB
• Rock Concert – 120dB
• Jet Engine – 120 dB
• Gunshot – 140 dB
• Firecracker – 140 dB

Distance also affects sound intensity so moving away from a noise will reduce decibel levels.

Any noise above 85 dB may cause hearing loss. Hearing loss is related to the decibel level and the length of time exposed to the noise. Long term exposure can cause hearing problems as seen in some factory workers, and any exposure to levels of 120dB and above will cause immediate damage.

Consider then a noisy office air conditioning unit. Depending on the decibel level, it could cause problems for workers.

In many cases, planning permission is needed before an office air conditioning unit can be installed especially in dense areas or areas where there are amenities or residential areas that could be impacted by noise pollution. Therefore, it is important when considering an installation whether you need planning permission or not. For smaller office air conditioning units there are many ways to ensure that harmful noise will not disrupt the office day.

Location

Position of the outdoor compressor unit should be carefully managed so it is positioned away from areas in the office where a quiet environment is needed. A good location would be on the outside walls of bathrooms or office kitchens leaving the main office areas uninterrupted by noise.

Decibel Level

Your office air conditioning unit will have a decibel rating so you can decide on the quietest unit within your budget. There are many quiet units on the market which are available from our professional air conditioning company and we will be making some suggestions in this article. Our experienced engineers will guide you to the right unit for your purposes.

Council Requirements

Check you do not need planning permission and check your local council’s office air conditioning regulations. Some councils do not allow certain air conditioners. The information required can be found on most council websites or we can assist you in finding out the local requirements as part of our professional service to you when considering and office air conditioner installation.

Neighbouring Facilities

Ensure you will not be disrupting a neighbouring business or residence and locate your outdoor compressor accordingly and discuss with neighbours to avoid any issues. It would not be pleasant for a beauty salon to have loud air conditioning noises while trying to carry out a soothing massage!

Decibel Awareness

There are ways to limit noise from your air conditioning system whether it is a new installation or existing office air conditioning unit.

Inverter Systems

Most inverter office air conditioning units have been designed to have a lower decibel level than a regular air conditioning system. If you are worried about noise, or are choosing a large scale air conditioning system, an inverter is an essential choice. For a small office the Mitsubishi air conditioning units combine inverter technology with low noise levels and are one of the leading manufacturers with a long pedigree. They offer some of the lowest noise systems some running as low as 19 decibels which is very quiet. Other brands we offer that have similar attention to decibel levels are Daikin and Panasonic.

Acoustics

If it is not a new installation and noise is an issue, sound barrier walls can be installed quite easily with readymade materials that help muffle the sound of the outdoor compressor. Natural barricades such as fencing and plants can help also.

Regular Service and Maintenance

Nothing replaces keeping your office air conditioning unit in good shape. An annual service plus regular maintenance checks will ensure the system is performing at optimum levels every day of the year conforming to office air conditioning regulations.

Experts are predicting that this summer, 2014, will be the hottest on record, according to the weekend’s Mail on Sunday. Citing academics at Justus Liebig University in Germany the Mail have suggested that there is a massive 75% chance that this summer will be the hottest ever.

We will likely be benefiting from unusual ‘El Niño’ weather patterns which will come about when Pacific waters around the equator become warmer than usual.

The weekend just gone was a lovely warm and sunny one for this time of year and it’s set to continue that way this week. Not only that but we’re now headed in to warmer and warmer weather all the way to the hottest summer.

While the North of England may not be so lucky, the south and London in particular is in for fine weather from here on in. So make sure you’ve got your air conditioning systems up and running in time before the melting weather arrives!

For all London air conditioning needs go no further than Simply Air Conditioning London. We provide the most professional and personable service that will allow you to enjoy the hot summer whilst managing to keep cool.

Use the contact form in the sidebar (right) to contact us regarding your air conditioning requirements for the London’s greatest summer yet, the summer of 2014!

We have spoken a lot about different air conditioning systems, the pros and cons and covered a many topics because we believe in keeping our customers and potential customers fully informed. As many of you know, we take our business very seriously at Simply Air Conditioning London and always strive for excellence in everything we do and it is our pleasure to bring you useful, informative articles. This time we are going to discuss humidity and the effects it has in the home and to answer the question many people have about what makes an air conditioner dry out the atmosphere.

If an atmosphere is too humid or there is too much air conditioner dry out in the room it can be uncomfortable and unpleasant, so it is all about balance and relative humidity in the home.

Concerns about Relative Humidity

Relative humidity can affect health as well as your home furnishings, wood floors, pictures, musical instruments, plants, and leather items. When humidity is high, the growth of fungus and mould is promoted and sometimes bacteria and viruses. There will be a musty smell and too much exposure to damp and especially black mould can be harmful.

On the other hand, if humidity is too low and you find your air conditioner dry, it can cause dry throats and noses and affect your household furnishings and possessions in different ways to the opposite humidity level. Wood can crack and dry out, health issues such as sinus and respiratory illness can be exacerbated and of course any house plants will soon wilt, shrivel and die. Skin will feel taut and in need of moisturising.

Striking the right balance of humidity is essential to protect against too high and too low humidity levels. Not having the right relative humidity in your home can also affect energy bills as if your atmosphere is too humid, it will feel warmer so you may be tempted to lower air conditioner temperatures thus more expensive running costs. Dry air at the same temperature can feel cooler so the temptation is to increase the amount of warmth you require form your system if it is a dual purpose one.

If you are finding your air conditioner dry or are suffering with too much humidity in the home, then your air conditioning engineer can help. Recommended relative humidity levels for different climates and weather can be defined depending on a set of variables unique to your home. Your engineer will assess things to ensure a relative humidity in the home of between 30 and 60 per cent. For example the air in the desert is very dry, around 25% but a heated home in winter can have relative humidity of only 15% so it is no wonder some people are suffering headaches and stuffy noses in an over dry atmosphere. Windows also affect humidity levels.

How Humid Is My Home?

Try the Static Cat Test!

A good rule of thumb is if you stroke your pet cat and you both get static electric shocks then your air is way too dry! If on the other hand you can smell musty scents here and there or there is condensation present, then your home is too humid. Humidity gauges are available but can be expensive. In summer time your home may seem more humid and this is because warm air holds more water than cold air. Similarly in winter the air is generally drier although in the UK it can be very wet as well.

Excess humidity while keeping things from drying out can also be a health hazard and cause damp and mould on things ruining them. Air conditioners adjusted to the right levels will remove this excess humidity drying out the air and maintaining a comfortable environment. Central air conditioning especially works throughout the whole house and as the air conditioner cools the air it wicks away the excess moisture in the air. In winter time the air seems so dry and that is because it really is dry carrying far less moisture. This is why if you run your air conditioner dry, without balancing humidity, there will be issues in the comfort of your home atmosphere

Dry Air

Air expands and contracts when heated and cooled changing its capacity to retain water. When you see condensation on a cold glass of water or dew on the grass, warmer humid air is cooled leaving the excess moisture condensing onto the surfaces. Conversely, water evaporation dries air.

The Perfect Relative Humidity

All reputable air conditioning engineers will advise on the particular circumstances of an individual home and will ensure the perfect relative humidity for your needs is achieved. The air handler of your air conditioning system can have a whole home humidifier integrated for example; otherwise judicious operation of your system based on your engineer’s advice will ensure the perfect atmosphere in your home summer and winter.

Air Conditioning Services London

Simply Air Conditioning London installs, services, and repairs air conditioning systems for homes and businesses across London. Contact us for a free quote.

• Air conditioning installation London
• Domestic air conditioning installation
• Commercial air conditioning installation
• Domestic air conditioning installation — modern inverter systems
• Air conditioning maintenance and annual servicing

Often people ask what AC maintenance means to me. Firstly, AC maintenance carried out regularly will keep air conditioning running efficiently. How to maintain air conditioner units is something we will discuss in this article. Basically, maintaining your A/C will save money by extending the life of the air conditioning unit.

Air conditioning units need regular maintenance to keep things running smoothly and to prevent breakdowns. Many homeowners are caught out by not paying attention to some basic regular AC maintenance techniques that can be applied to the air conditioning system at home.

While it is always the best policy to have a reputable engineer do the regular maintenance, the smaller jobs done between visits for proper professional checks can be used to tick the system over.

A/C maintenance pays attention to the filters, fins, and coils that are key to the smooth running of the unit. How to maintain air conditioner units is something that can be easily learned from your engineer or by following manufacturer’s instructions. For an air conditioning unit to run efficiently and effectively throughout its life, regular maintenance checks are vital. The result of failing to maintain your air conditioner will lead to a decline in operational performance and it will need more energy to run the system.

AIR CONDITIONING FILTERS

If you only do one thing then make sure it is learn how to maintain air conditioner filters. Routine replacement or cleaning of filters is one of the most important tasks you can perform to keep your system efficient. Dirty, clogged filters block out normal airflow and reduce the efficiency of the system significantly. With the airflow obstructed, air bypassing the filter could transfer dirt into the evaporator coil directly and reduce the coil’s capacity to absorb heat. Replacing a clogged up, dirty, filter with a clean one can make an incredible change and lower the energy consumption of your air conditioner by 5% to 15%.

Central air conditioners have filters located somewhere along the return duct length. Often filters may be found in such locations as walls, furnaces, ceilings, or within the air conditioner itself.

Some filters are reusable, others must be replaced, – and it depends on the type. Availability is in different types and different efficiency. Cleaning or replacing the filter in your A/C unit every two months or so while in operation will save you time and money. Filters need more frequent checking if the air conditioner is working in dusty conditions or in a home with furry pets or is switched on all the time.

AIR CONDITIONING COILS

How to maintain air conditioning evaporator coils and condensers is also important. Over months of use, coils collect and trap dirt. A clean filter will prevent the evaporator coil from getting dirty so quickly. Over time, the evaporator coil will eventually collect dirt. This dirt insulates the coil and reduces airflow preventing efficient heat absorption. Avoiding this problem means learning how to maintain air conditioner components and checking the evaporator coil yearly, cleaning when necessary.

Outdoor condenser coils become extremely dirty at times if the environment is dusty, polluted or there is dense foliage nearby. The condenser coil is easily seen and you can notice if there is a collection of dirt on its fins.
Minimising leaf fall, debris, and dirt near the condenser unit will help. Trimming foliage back around 2 feet (0.6 meters) will allow enough airflow around the condenser.

COIL FINS

The aluminium fins on condenser and evaporator coils are bent easily and can block airflow. There is a tool you can buy called a “fin comb” that will put these fins back into position.

Passing a stiff wire through the unit’s drain channels occasionally will help things keep flowing. Clogged drain channels prevent the system from reducing humidity levels leading to staining of walls and furnishings in the home

PREPARING FOR WINTER

Preparing for winter is one of the most important AC maintenance tasks you can do. Cover your air conditioner and if it is outdoors, then a specially made cover will protect from the elements of winter.

HIRING A PROFESSIONAL

When you have learned how to maintain air conditioner units, you will become familiar when a more in-depth AC maintenance cycle needs performing and you can call your professional service engineer.

Air Conditioning Services London

Simply Air Conditioning London installs, services, and repairs air conditioning systems for homes and businesses across London. Contact us for a free quote.

• Air conditioning installation London
• Domestic air conditioning installation
• Commercial air conditioning installation
• Book an AC maintenance service London
• Air conditioning maintenance and annual servicing