F.A.Q.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Coolman and HVAC systems.

Montage

Will my apartment become a construction site if an air conditioning unit is installed?

Yes, but not to the catastrophe. Of course, the installer will have to drill the holes through the wall, but thanks to today's industrial vacuum cleaners, the dust from drilling is simply sucked up and not spread around your home. Just ask the fitter about his equipment and you will see that he also values cleanliness.

How long does the installation take?

Üblicherweise ist ein 2 Mann-Team mit der Montage und Inbetriebnahme von ein bis zwei Innengeräten und einem Außengerät an einem Tag fertig. Je nach den Gegebenheiten vor Ort und der Länge der Kältemittelleitung kann natürlich eine Montage auch länger dauern.

Is it expensive to have an air conditioning system installed by a specialist?

Im Wohnbereich wird meist ein Wand-Klimagerät mit einer Kälteleistung von ca. 2000 bis 2500W eingesetzt. Diese Leistung ist ausreichend für einen Wohn – oder Schlafraum bis ca.30m². Der Gesamtpreis ist ebenfalls von den Montagegegebenheiten, der Leitungslänge und natürlich der benötigten Kälteleistung stark abhängig. Für ein Wandgerät mit 2500W Kälteleistung und ca. 5m Kältemittelleitung inkl. Montage und Inbetriebnahme sollte man mit Kosten ab ca. 2.000,- Euro rechnen.

Where can you have an outdoor unit set up and how big is such a unit?

Hier gibt es verschiedenen Variationen: z.B. Wand, Terrasse, Balkon, Dach, Tiefgarage oder Garten. In Ausnahmefällen können die Geräte auch innen aufgestellt werden. Dies ist jedoch individuell abhängig von den entsprechenden Gegebenheiten. Die Größe eines Außengerätes ist leistungsabhängig. Bei einem 2 – 5 kW Gerät beispielsweise hat das Außengerät etwa die Größe eines Reisekoffers.

Tips for air conditioners and malfunctions

My air conditioner is not working properly

Is the AC unit too loud?

A well-maintained and properly functioning air conditioner runs quietly and efficiently. A noisy air conditioner is a good indicator that something is wrong. If this is the case, there could be a problem with the compressor motor or condenser fan, which can affect the efficiency of the system. In this case, you should consult an HVAC professional to diagnose and fix the problem.

When was the last time you replaced the air filter?

If you notice a decrease in airflow from your air conditioner, the first thing to do is check the air filter. Most homeowners don't worry about their air filter until there is already a problem. With dirty filters, your air conditioner may run continuously, but your house temperature may not cool down. This can get very expensive when you see your electricity bill at the end of the month

What is the temperature?

On those unbearably hot days, the outside temperature could be too high for older systems to operate at peak efficiency. If so, it might be time for an upgrade.

If you've tried everything and you're still having an issue with your air conditioner, it's probably due to a slightly more complicated issue. Your air conditioner may not be working because:

  • You have no air conditioning at all – Your system's motor may have burned out due to a clogged filter. Remember that engines are tested at each annual service.
  • Your air conditioner blows warm air or shuts down completely – A clogged filter can cause the air conditioner coils to freeze, affecting the compressor and thus restricting airflow to the unit.
  • Your AC system is not blowing cool air - Dirty coils on the outdoor and indoor units can cause this problem.
  • Water leaking through the ceiling - Clogged drains can cause water to leak out of the unit.
  • Your AC compressor has failed - this could be due to a poor initial system start, running capacitors, or inexperienced or poorly trained contractors feeding power. It is very important to fix this as the compressor is the heart of the condensing unit!

 

What should I do with my frozen AC?

If your air conditioner freezes, either inside or on the outdoor unit, you have a problem. If your AC is frozen, you could expose your system to serious damage if it's not fixed right away.

There are two main reasons for an air conditioning system to freeze - either there is low airflow or a low refrigerant charge.

  • Low Airflow - Low airflow can be related to a heavily soiled air filter or a filter that is too small. Both reduce the amount of air that passes through your indoor air conditioner coil, which can cause condensation to collect and freeze instead of draining properly. A bad or worn fan motor or a dirty impeller can also reduce airflow, making your system inefficient.
  • Low Refrigerant Charge - All air conditioning systems require an adequate refrigerant charge to perform optimally and meet manufacturer specifications. Your air conditioner is charged with refrigerant prior to installation, and since it does not use refrigerant during operation, the only reasons for a low refrigerant level are if you have a leak or it was installed incorrectly the first time.

Regardless of whether your frozen air conditioner is due to one of these issues, at Arctic Air Conditioning we recommend having your air conditioner serviced by a certified professional technician. We can identify what is contributing to your frozen system and provide exceptional air conditioning repair services.

 

What is the best summer thermostat setting?

It's important to save money on your monthly electricity bills in the summer - so what's the best thermostat setting in the hottest part of the year? We recommend leaving the thermostat set at 22-26 degrees and setting the fan to AUTO instead of ON.

How do I know when to replace my air conditioner?

Many homeowners find it difficult to decide whether to continue pouring money into their aging air conditioner for costly repairs, or upgrade to a new, more efficient air conditioner.

Sometimes it's easy to make the case for an AC replacement - for example, your AC is completely broken. However, unless your air conditioner is in imminent danger of failure, there are a few things to consider when considering an air conditioner replacement:

Energy Costs – Air conditioners made 10 years ago are less than half as efficient as current air conditioners. In fact, the minimum SEER for currently manufactured ACs is 13, and many systems exceed this value.

Return on Investment - When you improve your home's energy efficiency with an AC backup, you can help lower your utility bills - it can even provide a healthy return on investment over time.

Your current air conditioner is too loud – You can arrange for an air conditioner repair to fix the noise, or you can invest in an air conditioner replacement to fix it for good.

Your air conditioner fails at inconvenient times – if your air conditioner seems to cut out every time you run it heavily (e.g. when it's very hot) this could be a sign that it's not working properly when you need it.

Cost, Energy and Noise Level

How much electricity do air conditioners use?

The power consumption varies depending on the device type. Each device is therefore already divided into a so-called energy efficiency class (from A+++ - D) by the manufacturer and gives you information about consumption. A+++ stands for devices that work particularly effectively and are energy-saving.

Are air conditioners energy guzzlers?

We only use advanced and environmentally friendly air conditioners from well-known and high-quality manufacturers that comply with global environmental conditions. All of these devices work in an energy-saving manner for the benefit of the environment in harmony with people. You will find that the running costs of a modern air conditioner are surprisingly low. An air conditioner with a cooling capacity of approx. 2000W consumes approx. 440 watts per hour. If you put the system into operation for about 4-5 hours a day, this feel-good effect will cost you about 20 cents of electricity per day.

What does SEER and SCOP mean?

The energy efficiency classes are classified using these values. The EER value (Energy Efficiency Ratio) describes the value between power consumption (electricity consumption) and power output (cooling capacity) during cooling operation. The COP value (Coefficient of Performance) describes this value in heating mode. The SEER stands for seasonal and reflects the value as an annual average. An EER value of 4.5, for example, means that 4.5 KW of cooling capacity is generated with 1 KW of electrical power, which corresponds to an energy efficiency of 450%!

What follow-up costs should I expect?

The more a building is insulated, the more difficult it becomes to ventilate it properly. In the case of passive, zero-energy or plus-energy houses, normal ventilation is often no longer sufficient to banish the moisture and thus the risk of mold from the house. In these cases, air conditioning and ventilation systems are used. These are of course associated with acquisition and operating costs. Depending on the size and type of system, there are significant deviations in the individual cost items.

What is the noise level of air conditioners?

Modern split air conditioners work very quietly. Mobile air conditioners, on the other hand, are significantly louder when in operation. When buying an air conditioner, pay attention to the specified sound pressure level (dB/A). The lower this value, the quieter the device is in operation.

 

Still need help? Send us a message!

If you have any further questions, please write to us at info@coolman-gmbh.de or call us at  +49 621 83262500