All About Air Conditioning in Buildings

This short article is about air conditioning, often abbreviated to AC. Air conditioning is commonly found in modern buildings and describes the process of removing heat from an internal space, helping to cool the air, and control humidity.

What is Air Conditioning?

Generally, air conditioning can describe any technology that modifies the condition of air, usually inside a building or facility. This modification or “conditioning” could refer to space heating, cooling, humidity control, cleaning, ventilation, or air circulation. However, commonly most people when they think of “air conditioning” they are referring to a mechanical, or man-made system which will help to cool, or cool and control the internal humidity of the air. In a building services context, a complete building services system that delivers space heating, mechanical ventilation and air conditioning is referred usually referred to as HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning).

Controlling Air Temperature & Humidity

Air conditioning can be used in any environment where there is a need to reduce the internal air temperature and control humidity to create a more comfortable living or working environment. This process of internal climate control is used to create a more comfortable internal environment, typically for people, although it is also commonly used to control the temperature and humidity in buildings housing sensitive heat-producing electronic equipment, including computer servers, power generators, and to protect valuable paper documents and antiques.

Air Conditioning Equipment

Air conditioning equipment will typically use a fan to distribute the cool air evenly throughout a room or enclosed space such as an office to improve thermal comfort and indoor air quality for the occupants.

Many air conditioning units are based on electric refrigerant systems and they come in all different shapes and sizes ranging from compact units that can be used to cool a small room or office, to very large roof mounted systems used by office buildings that have the capacity to cool the entire building. The cooling in an electric refrigerant system is usually achieved through a refrigeration cycle, although free-cooling or evaporation methods are also used.

World Class Air Conditioning & HVAC Solutions

Water Treatment Services is a leading independent UK water and wastewater treatment, air, energy and environmental services company offering expert water management solutions including water treatment, industrial wastewater treatment, air conditioning and HVAC solutions, energy efficiency and engineering support services.

With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained engineers, site service specialists and technical experts we can offer water management solutions across the whole of the UK.

Contact us today to learn how our air conditioning and HVAC engineering solutions can help you.