An air conditioner is a device which cools the indoor air. A range of air conditioning units are now available including:
- reverse cycle units with capacity to both heat and cool (usually wall mounted)
- split or multi split systems which consist of a compressor cooling unit mounted outside the building and one or more air outlets depending on the size of the area to be cooled piping cool air around the building. They generally deliver air to all areas and specific areas cannot be isolated
- ducted systems with the cooling unit being mounted on the roof, wall or ground external to a building and cooled air ducted to areas required – they are often used in large buildings or where multiple areas are required to be cooled
- air conditioners with inverter units or variable drive speeds which allow the operating compressor to work at less than 100% capacity depending on temperature requirements and can help with power efficiency within small areas, however these may not be as energy efficient in large building settings where units are required to operate at full capacity most of the time
- wall or window mounted units which can cool smaller areas
- evaporative air conditioners are generally used in dry climates and when turned on, hot air is circulated over water which causes the water to evaporate and absorb the heat from the air and create a cooling effect.
A fan is a portable unit with blades which rotate to increase the ventilation of the immediate area. It also has a cooling effect as the air in the room is moved around. Fans come in a range of sizes from those that can sit on a desk or bench to floor based models that can be height adjusted. Ceiling fans can also be mounted to the ceilings and operated at varying speeds to circulate the air around a room.
When choosing an appropriate cooling source, it is important to consider the area to be cooled, power source available, whether all areas need to be cooled or just a specific place, climate, cost and energy efficiency of running the appliance.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
For people with a heat sensitivity that affects work capacity such as those with Multiple Sclerosis, adjusting or controlling workplace temperature may need to be considered to minimise the impact symptoms could have on work performance. If overall office temperature cannot be adjusted or is inappropriate to be modified and separate temperature controls for different offices are not possible, workstation fans, blinds or cooling clothing may be appropriate to assist in managing the situation.
Other ways temperature can be controlled may be sourced at the following links:
References
Choice 2006, Sample test report - air conditioners, Choice, Sydney, viewed 15 February 2011, http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticle.aspx?id=103665&catId=100167&tid=100008&p=6&title=Sample+test+report+-+Air+conditioners.
Good Gear Guide 2009, Air conditioners, IDG Communications, online, viewed 15 February 2011, http://www.goodgearguide.com.au/index.php/id;1248808053.
www.energyrating.gov.au 2009, Choosing an efficient air conditioner, Commonwealth of Australia: Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Canberra, viewed 15 February 2011, http://www.energyrating.gov.au/acl.html.