The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

First Aid For The Ailing Houses

When a warm-air ductwork now in operation is also planned to carry the cooled air in summertime, there should be consideration of the size of the ducts. Warm and hot air travel effectively through far smaller ductwork than is necessary for cooled air. In addition, these ducts must be insulated to be sure that the complete volume of air, still cooled, will arrive at the rooms for which it started.

Some central air-conditioning units require 230 volts to operate the motors that run the compressor and fan. If an older house has not been supplied with 230 volts, this will require a special line from the pole to the fuse box and an extra expense. In addition, an extra line must be run from the fuse box to the air conditioner, regardless of whether the voltage is 115 or 230. This is to prevent danger of overloading household circuits with the heavy electrical current the air conditioner needs.

Another feature to consider in buying a central air-conditioning unit Ls the method of dissipating the heat from the condenser. On some models this is done through a stream of air which is directed over the coils by a fan, which drives the heated air outside, either through a vent or a duct. Some models require a special water connection to a cold-water line and to a drain or a water-evaporator tower outside. These types use cold water in a jacket around the coils to remove the heat created by compressing the refrigerating gas. Many communities have local regulations prohibiting the use of the direct-flow water-cooling units, for they require a good deal of running water which is then lost down the sewer drain. If an evaporator tower is used, this problem is eliminated, but the tower provides an unsightly, undesirable unit to be mounted outside the house.

The best selection for most home owners is the air-cooled unit, which may not be as highly efficient as the watercooled types, but requires no special installation, except for a duct or vent to the outside.

There are types of home air conditioners which provide for closet, attic, or basement installation of a small unit which contains a fan and cooling coils, while the rest of the unit, the actual refrigerating machine, is placed in another spot, or out of doors. This permits lightweight ducts to be run inside the house to the spot where the conditioning unit is located without having the bulk of the machinery at a central location where it might be inconvenient.