FAQs


Heat pumps = Using air conditioners to heat

Heat pumps are an integral part of air conditioning technology. Heat pumps transfer heat from one environment to another via its refrigerant. In cooling mode, air conditioning units transfer the heat in an enclosed area to the outside air, resulting in a cooling of the area in question. Heat pumps, however, also allow this process to be reversed. Heat extracted from the outside is pumped indoors, allowing indoor environments to be heated as well as cooled using the same technology.

Heat pump efficiency

Heat pumps offer numerous advantages as a heating solution. The same systems used to cool can also be used to heat, resulting in less initial investment and simplicity in operation and maintenance. Also, this has an important advantage in the area of efficiency. Unlike fossil fuel based heating systems, heat pumps extract available heat from the outside air. Heat pumps offer efficiency gains in the order of 3:1 and higher, compared to electrical heating. Thus for every unit of energy consumed by the heat pump, three or more units of heat are gained.
Inverter Technology = Electrical Load Fluctuation

Inverter systems have compressors that vary their capacity depending on what is actually required. When you need more heating or cooling, the inverter compressor speeds up, when you need less it slows down, rarely stopping completely and therefore draws a smaller electrical load. Industry experts suggest that inverter systems can save up to 40% on running costs compared to a non-inverter system. With Non-Inverters, the compressor starts at full power; when temperature is reached, the compressor stops. The cycle is then repeated throughout use, drawing more electrical current.

Most systems are registered on the energy technology list which enables clients to qualify for up to 100% first year allowance on the total cost of the system www.eca.gov.uk
VRF = Variable Refrigerant Flow / VRV = Variable Refrigerant Volume

VRV (Variable Refrigerant Volume) is a system developed and designed by Daikin Industries. 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. Using a three pipe system, this control also allows for heating in one area whilst cooling in another area. In short, they are probably the best systems currently available for mid to large applications.
ECA = Tax Saving

The Carbon Trust in association with the Government introduced the ECA scheme (Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme) allowing companies who choose to install energy efficient equipment to offset the whole of its capital cost on qualifying equipment, against its taxable profits. The Capital cost includes for all associated work including labour, building works etc. Many of the latest air conditioning systems incorporate both energy efficient heat pump and inverter technologies, and therefore qualify for the ECA scheme.
Through using the correct technology (Heat Pump & Inverter), cooling and heating systems are not expensive to run. In simple terms they provide effective and controllable heating, whilst consuming up to 80% less power than any other form of electrical heating.
Air conditioning systems are designed by the equipment manufacturers to have a low operating noise level. Ventilation equipment may utilise high speed fans which can be quite noisy. However, when we install systems of this nature we ensure that a silencer is incorporated within the design to keep a low operating noise level.
There are several types of air conditioning units including Wall Mount, Ceiling, Cassette, Ducted and VRV/VRF. Don’t worry, our dedicated design team will help and advise you to make the right choice.
Some do and others do not, however it is a very complex issue. In principle all refrigerants handled by competent companies and engineers will never be released to the atmosphere and therefore will not deplete the ozone layer. Also the government have bought into place the F-Gas regulations, putting the onus on the end user, effectively ensuring all systems are checked for leakage. Alternative refrigerants are being developed all the time.
Dependant upon the system, 12 months labour warranty and up to 5 years equipment warranty can be provided. For peace of mind Air Control & Development Ltd is in partnership with Daikin, Mitsubishi and Toshiba, whose warranty is transferred to you, the end user.
In order to validate warranty, a system should be maintained at least once a year by an accredited maintenance company. If a system is out of warranty then it is recommended that a yearly visit is still carried out as regular, reliable servicing prolongs the life of your equipment and reduces the risk of breakdown and keeps operating costs to a minimum. This has now become a compulsory requirement (dependant upon equipment) through the F-Gas regulations - www.acrib.org.uk
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