Condensation is one of the biggest causes of dampness in the home.
It is such a common and challenging problem to solve. Many people ask themselves how to get rid of damp once and for all. Usually, after trying various methods such as anti-damp paints and resealing windows.
But one of the best and most overlooked ways to combat condensation is to install an air conditioning system.
However, conventional air conditioning systems with an external condenser are unsuitable for every home or apartment.
In these cases, an internal air conditioning solution could be the answer. Many people are worried that such systems may increase the risk of dampness.
It is a common misconception that water-cooled air conditioning systems can lead to increased damp and mould build-up.
This is perhaps understandable since many think cold water flowing from room to room will likely lead to condensation forming on the pipes. Especially if they are not insulated.
However, the opposite is true. When installed correctly, internal condensers are as effective at dehumidifying the space as conventional air conditioning systems.
While it is true that Cool You’s water-cooled internal condenser air conditioning systems use water for cooling. Water is not pumped from room to room.
Unlike a conventional system, The only water connection is to the condenser, which is mounted inside your home.
To further understand how air conditioning systems reduce moisture, we must look at how air conditioning systems convert warm air into cold air.
How air conditioning systems remove moisture
First, a little science lesson. The air in your home can only hold a finite amount of water, depending on the temperature. The warmer the air, the more moisture it can hold.
For example, at 30ºC, air can contain up to 4% water vapour. While at -0.40ºC, the same air volume can hold no more than 0.2%.
The precise amount of water vapour in the air relative to its temperature is relative humidity.
When humidity levels reach around 80%, we feel uncomfortable in the warm and sticky air.
Saturation levels rise and fall all the time. How this happens helps to explain how air conditioning systems work.
Unsaturated air becomes saturated in three ways:
- By combining two volumes of air at different temperatures,
- By the evaporation of water vapour into the air
- Cooling the air reduces its capacity to hold moisture.
Water is expelled as tiny water droplets when the air cools beyond its maximum saturation point.
The point at which this happens is known as the dew point.
You can see this effect each morning as warm air touches the cold grass outside. Also, when the warm air inside your home cools when it touches a much colder surface such as a windowpane.
The difference between internal and external condensers
You may be wondering what all this has to do with air conditioning. Most air conditioning systems use the vapour compression cycle to cool buildings.
This uses a liquid refrigerant that absorbs heat as it is circulated around the building. The liquid refrigerant is then passed through an evaporator coil, which turns the liquid refrigerant into a gas.
As the gas passes over the coil, any moisture within it condenses onto its surface and is collected in a condensate pan.
This removes moisture from the atmosphere, leaving you a more comfortable environment.
Both internal and conventional external condenser units remove moisture using this method of condensation.
A traditional external unit and inverter will generate heat. The heat is dissipated by the cooler air outside. With a water-cooled internal unit, fresh water is used to cool the system.
This is where confusion arises about cold water being pumped around your home.
Water is only used to cool the condensing unit. It does not need to be pumped from room to room like a conventional gas-fired central heating system.
The rest of the system operates in the same way as a conventional air conditioning system.
Can air conditioning prevent damp patches from forming?
Many people want to know how to get rid of damp and prevent it from returning.
The answer to this will depend on what is causing damp to form in the first place. If the damp is caused by a leaking roof or waste pipe then air conditioning won’t be of much help.
If, on the other hand, the dampness is caused by condensation forming on outside walls and windows, then air conditioning may be the solution.
It is not the primary purpose of air conditioning to remove moisture from the air. However, it can help reduce humidity levels to prevent condensation from forming in the first place.
This can help to make your home more comfortable. Especially during those hot summer months when humidity levels reach an uncomfortable 80%.
Air conditioning for all types of building – commercial and residential
With the internal air conditioning systems installed by Cool You, it is now possible to install air conditioning in previously considered unsuitable properties.
Such buildings include high-rise apartment complexes or listed buildings where a conventional exterior condenser is impractical or permitted.
If you would like more information about internal air conditioning solutions. Get in touch with us at Cool You on 0207 043 2275.
We can arrange for an assessment by one of our F-Gas-trained engineers. They will see if your property is suitable for installing an internal air conditioning system.
We can also explain how the system works. And also put your mind at rest about the risk of damp in your home.
