Singapore’s founding father thought air conditioning was the secret to our success
Yvan Cohen/LightRocket via Getty Images
There was an interview Mr Lee Kuan Yew gave for New Perspectives Quarterly’s fall 2009/winter 2010 issue and he was asked about the secret to Singapore’s success. one of factors highlighted by Mr Lee might actually surprise you: AIR CONDITIONING (AC). It was a most important invention for us, perhaps one of the signal inventions of history. It changed the nature of civilization by making development possible in the tropics. Without AC you can work only in the cool early-morning hours or at dusk. The first thing I did upon becoming prime minister was to install ACs in buildings where the civil service worked. This was key to public efficiency.
Most people turn on their AC throughout the day, in order to keep their home cool and for a comfortable deep sleep at night. With all these heavy and regular usage, do you know how long your AC system can last and remain functional? It all depends on how you and your family have been treating it. On average, most systems are built to last for about 8 – 12 years but with the proper care and maintenance, your aircon can give you great service for about 15 years!
The good news is that you don’t need a degree in rocket science to maintain your AC and make it last longer. This article will give you free tips on how you can extend the life of your aircon system.
- Give your aircon a break
It goes without saying that when the AC is always on and cooling the air, it will wear down at a faster rate. Therefore, the trick is to come up with a way of having the AC rest when you are not in the house. When you are going away for a couple of days, you can turn it off. During the night when it’s not too hot, sleep with the windows open as opposed to using the system to cool the internal house environment. - Regular maintenance
Schedule regular maintenance with a Professional Ovvy aircon merchant to ensure your AC is running smoothly and efficiently. This can help catch any potential issues before they become major problems.
- Keep it cool
A majority of AC compactors are placed outside the house and this means that they are exposed to hot weather. The sun heats up your AC and this means that it has to do double the work it is supposed to do. This will reduce its life expectancy by up to 5 years. To avoid it, either plant some trees around it to block the sun from falling on it or build a shelter for the air conditioner. - Clean or replace air filters
Clogged or dirty air filters can reduce airflow and cause your AC to work harder than necessary, which can lead to premature wear and tear. Clean or replace air filters regularly. - Use a programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat can help you save energy and reduce wear and tear on your AC by automatically adjusting the temperature when you’re not home. - Don’t overload the system
Avoid overloading the AC by setting the temperature to a reasonable level and keeping doors and windows closed while it’s running. - Avoid placing heat sources near the thermostat
Placing heat sources such as lamps or televisions near the thermostat can cause it to register a higher temperature than the rest of the room, which can cause your air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
By following these tips, you can help extend the life of your air conditioner and ensure it continues to function efficiently for years to come.
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