Air conditioning installation in homes is increasing across the UK as we prepare for hotter summers. With houses in Britain built to keep heat in, more people are making the decision to install air conditioning units to battle the higher temperatures. Many are asking the question – how do air conditioning units work? Knowing the benefits of air conditioning and refrigeration units and the sustainable materials needed to power them can help to make a more informed decision.
How Does Air Conditioning Work?
Air conditioning is typically controlled by two different units, one inside the building and one outside. The indoor unit takes in the warm, humid air, and it moves over pipes filled with refrigerant that absorbs the heat. The heat in the pipes then moves to the outdoor unit, or condenser, where it is released into the environment. Meanwhile, that new cold air is circulated back into the room, decreasing the temperature and humidity.
The Role of Copper Pipes in Air Conditioning
Copper pipes play one of the most important roles in air conditioning. It makes units more sustainable as well as energy efficient thanks to its high thermal conductivity. As copper is such a good conductor of heat it can withstand variations in temperature without expanding or contracting.
Corrosion also needs to be considered when choosing which pipes to install an air conditioner with. Copper does not react with other chemicals, meaning that it is excellent at resisting corrosion. The pipes inside an air conditioner are constantly in contact with refrigerants at different temperatures, as well as water, depending on the installation. With its anti-corrosion properties, using copper will ensure that the pipes don’t suffer from cracks and leakages, offering a longer lifespan compared to using other types of pipes.
Copper, Air Conditioning, and Sustainability
Copper makes air conditioning more sustainable by being infinitely recyclable, meaning that the old pipes can be recovered and reused at the end of their life without losing quality. This is important when the high temperatures we are seeing are being caused by climate change due to the mining of fossil fuels to create plastic, which typically then have to be incinerated at the end of its life as they are unable to be recycled, contributing to more pollution.
In an air conditioner’s life span it is unlikely that the copper pipes will need replacing due to its long service life. When installed and maintained correctly, Copper can last up to 80+ years. In that time, thanks to its antimicrobial properties, it is also contributing to healthier living environments by reducing any possible bacterial growth inside the pipes.
Choosing air conditioning with copper piping is a step towards a more sustainable, efficient future for home cooling, offering benefits to both homeowners and the planet.
