It is important when installing air conditioning into a home cinema that it is tailored to work seamlessly within the environment.
Air conditioning is often a must in home cinemas, with projectors and screens emitting high levels of heat. However, the system itself will depend on the size of the space and the level of existing ventilation. The design stage of such installations is not a standard application, and special measures are needed to combat the impact of noise and appearance of the unit. We always ensure that a home visit is made early on to allow us to tailor the system to the customer’s needs.
With traditional cinemas, sound levels from air conditioning systems must be kept to a minimum to mitigate competition with the speakers which can ruin the experience. The average noise of a ducted indoor unit at low fan speed is 30dB. This is well below the average air conditioning volume of 40dB to 60dB. To further assist with noise levels, it is important to think about the location of the indoor and outdoor units and the settings of the system.
Air conditioning systems can compromise the aesthetics of the room if not thought through. Installers need to ensure the system is discrete and in keeping with the environment. We work to hide the indoor units by using vertical or horizontal ducted units. These are installed in false ceilings or very often in joinery works such as cupboards or screen surroundings. Linear or circular grilles are then installed to supply and return air.
Using the correct controls and settings, the client can decrease noise and improve comfort levels post-installation. We recommend that air conditioning systems are turned on in a room 30 minutes before it is to be used to get the area down to a comfortable 21°C. Once at this temperature, the client can reduce the fan speed down to its minimum to maintain the comfort level. This will also help with energy efficiency by not making the system work harder to get the room down to temperature once it is occupied and the screen and projector are switched on.
With technology becoming a central part of the home ecosystem, air conditioning systems can be linked to wider smart home systems. This automation is very common and if a client requires this, it is vital the contractor is made aware early on. By doing so, a compatible system can be selected in the design phase. At this stage, it is also important that the controls company and contractor converse to ensure a seamless integration of the system upon set-up.
Overall, it is essential to maintain both performance and comfort levels when installing an air conditioning system for home cinemas. Minimising the appearance and noise can go a long way to improving the environment as well as your home cinema experience.
