home AC unit

The Many Benefits of Air Conditioning

When most people think of air conditioning, they think of cool air. While it’s obviously true that air conditioning produces cool air on command, there is so much more to air conditioning than just a chilled room.

The first air conditioner was invented in 1902. While it was originally used to control indoor humidity in order to protect paper and other vulnerable items, it eventually became a means of keeping homes, offices, and factories cool in hot outdoor weather conditions. Here in Chicago, we know all about the need for a quality air conditioning unit.

Air conditioners have evolved exponentially over the years, gaining new functions and features from decade to decade. In fact, today’s air conditioners possess capabilities that even air conditioners of 10 years ago didn’t possess. Technology is advancing rapidly, and with it, so are air conditioners. 

Air conditioners in Chicago provide a variety of different benefits, not only helping to make your home more comfortable, but helping to protect your home and your possessions as well. Wondering how exactly air conditioning can benefit you? Read on to find out!

Air Conditioners can improve the overall air quality in your home

Reducing Humidity

In addition to reducing the temperature of your air, air conditioning also reduces the amount of moisture that is in the air. That’s right; air conditioning reduces overall humidity levels.

Humidity, even more so than heat, is the condition which makes it difficult for your body to cool itself down. Because of this, a typical air conditioner is not always enough. An air conditioner may make it feel cool in your house, but despite this, you may still feel sweaty and overheated. This is largely due to the humidity.

One of the more beneficial features that comes with many modern air conditioners is humidity control. Humidity control is essentially a dehumidifier which operates through your entire house in the same way that central air does. By having access to a universal dehumidifier, you can lower the amount of humidity throughout your entire house, thus allowing yourself to cool off easier.

Because you’ll cool off easier, you won’t have to turn your air conditioner down to as low of a temperature. This equals a more energy-conserving air conditioner which, in turn, equals cheaper energy bills overall.

Humidity is beneficial in a variety of ways. Not only does it help to keep your indoor temperature under control, it also protects your possessions from becoming inundated with moisture.

Purifies Air

In addition to removing moisture from the air, an air conditioner will also remove contaminants from the air. If your home is filled with dust and other such debris, an air conditioner will send it through its cycle, placing it outdoors where it belongs.

This greatly improves air quality, purifying your environment so that you can breathe without caution. No more coughing, sneezing, and allergies.

Cools Air

As was discussed above, air conditioning is capable of cooling the air in your home. This is highly beneficial on scorching hot summer days when you want nothing more than to beat the heat.

An air conditioner can accommodate — within reason — about any temperature you desire. If you want to control the climate of your environment, an air conditioner will allow you to do so.

Air conditioners help keep your home comfortable and your items protected year round

Improves Sleep Quality

There are studies to support it; it’s harder to sleep when it’s hot. Therefore, if you suffer from insomnia, you can greatly benefit from installing an air conditioner.

The cool air produced by an air conditioner will help your body to produce melatonin, a natural chemical which aids in human sleep.

Staves Off Insects

Do you ever find centipedes inside your home? Are you perpetually being bothered by houseflies? If so, an air conditioner can help you to stave them off.

In most cases, insects will go to places where moisture is present. By eliminating moisture, you will keep away insects, making your home a much more bearable place to live.

Maintains Structure of Wooden Possessions

As you may know, nothing destroys wooden possessions faster than moisture. It’s for this reason that you should try to keep moisture out of your home as much as possible.

How can you do this? With the use of an air conditioning system. An air conditioner will remove the moisture from your air, allowing wooden possessions to thrive without the threat of warping and misshaping.

Protects Electronics

Like wood, electronics are extremely vulnerable to moisture. If too much moisture gets into the inner mechanisms of an electronic item, that item can entirely cease to function. It’s for this reason that you should utilize air conditioning in your home.

Air conditioning will remove excess moisture from the air, protecting your electronic devices from water damage.

Modern technology makes using and maintaining an air conditioner easy

Digital thermostats

High energy consumption equals high electric costs. There’s not a person in the world who would rather spend more money than less money. In many homes during the summer months, the air conditioner is responsible for more than 50% of the energy bill. Oftentimes, this is because air conditioners are working hard to cool your house down even after the house is already cool. Wouldn’t it be better if ACs could just automatically shut off or slow down at given times in order to conserve energy and save money?

Well, with modern air conditioners, this is the case. Due to the existence of modern, digital thermostats, air conditioners not only allow you to set specific turn-on and turn-off times, they also learn your specific heating and cooling habits so that they can react accordingly. This ensures that your house is always cool when you want it to be cool and always warm when you want it to be warm.

A new air conditioner may cost a lot initially, but due to the advanced technological capabilities of its digital thermostat, it will be a great deal cheaper in the long run.

Controlled remotely

For years, air conditioners could only be controlled from a directly-wired thermostat. In order to increase or decrease the temperature in your home, you needed to physically walk up to the thermostat, and either turn a knob or press a button.

With modern air conditioners, this is no longer the case. Air conditioners can now be controlled remotely via phone apps. Perhaps you would like to turn your air conditioning off to conserve energy during a vacation. With a wired thermostat, this would result in an overheated home upon return. But with a modern, wireless thermostat, you could turn the air conditioner on from the road while you’re on your way home, making your house cool and comfortable just in time for your arrival.

Less Energy Consumption

All air conditioners have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER rating. The SEER rating essentially measures how efficient a particular air conditioner is. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient your air conditioner will be. Until 2006, new air conditioners were only required to possess a minimum SEER rating of 10. From 2006 to the present, all new air conditioners are required to have a SEER rating of at least 16.

So, if you purchased an air conditioner before 2006, it is more than likely much less efficient than a modern air conditioner. In fact, a modern air conditioner can serve to cut your energy costs by as much as 50% when compared to a pre-2006 air conditioner. A new air conditioner may be costly in the short-term, but it will easily pay itself off in the long run.

Looking for Air Conditioner Installation in Chicago?

Are you interested in reaping the benefits of air conditioning? Looking for an air conditioner installation in Chicago? If so, here at Lakeview Heating and Cooling we’ve got you covered.

Our team of seasoned air conditioning specialists is beyond experienced in the installation of all types of air conditioning systems. Concerned about the price? We offer a variety of financing options!

Contact us today to get started.