Things to Consider Before Buying an Air Conditioner

As the planet’s temperature is rising year by year, air conditioners have become a necessity rather than a luxury. Thanks to the scorching summers and drippy sweats, everyone needs them!

Even though the requirements may differ from person to person, there are certain common things to consider when buying an air conditioner. This may include its types, size, cost, energy efficiency, etc. If you’re a first-time buyer, this air conditioner buying guide can help you find the right unit that turns your space into a climate-controlled paradise:

 

#1 Air Conditioner Type

 

In general, there are four types of air conditioners. Each of them has its own working mechanism, installation process, and benefits. Thus, you have to determine your requirements and choose the right type, accordingly. Here’s a brief up about each:

 Split System Air Conditioner

Split system air conditioners are suitable for any particular room or area. They are made up of an outdoor unit that contains the compressor, condensing coil, and capillary tubing. Split system ACs have an indoor unit that houses the air filter, long blower, and cooling coil. You can install it by connecting both the units through tubing and wires.

 Window Air Conditioner

Window air conditioners are conventional ACs that are commonly mounted on walls or windows. They have one unit that houses all the components. Within the unit, you will find basic elements like fan/blower, thermostat, compressor, tubing, evaporator and condenser coil. With a compact design, window AC’s are appropriate for smaller rooms. These ACs are installed by mounting the weather strips, fitting the cabinet, and placing the air conditioner.

 Portable Air Conditioner

As the name suggests, portable ACs are transferable from room to room. They consist of basic components like evaporator coil, refrigerant, condenser coils, compressor, and fan. They are suitable for those who do not have space or a window for AC.

 Ducted Air Conditioner

Ducted air conditioners are not confined to a particular place. Instead, they have a central unit that cools the incoming air and transfers it to different rooms. Their units can be placed in the ceiling, under the floor, or outdoors. The key components are similar to other ACs.

 #2 Important Features

After the AC type, look for the following features:

 Room Size, AC Power and Cooling Capacity

The AC size depends on the room space. You may require minimum kilowatts of 0.15 per square meter for a rough estimation. Here’s a brief-up:

Small Room

Size: 10-20 m2

Kilowatts: 2.8 KW

AC Type: Window, split, portable

Medium Room

Size:20-40 m2

Killowatts:4.2 KW

AC Type: Window, split

Large Room

Size:40-60 m2

Kilowatts: 5.6 KW

AC Type: Split, ducted

Room Size and Capacity Needed (as per ton)

100 sq.ft – 0.8 ton

150 sq.ft – 1 ton

250 sq.ft – 1.5 ton

400 sq.ft – 2 ton

 Energy Efficiency

There are two types of ratings for ac energy efficiency:

R-Value: R-value denotes how much heat an air conditioner could keep away from your home. Thus, when the R-value of an air conditioner is more, the cooling is better. Higher R-values also indicate better efficiency and higher initial cost. Ducted air conditioners are rated on the basis of R-value.

Star-Rating: Star rating shows the energy efficiency of an air conditioner.  When the star ratings are high, AC has more cooling capacity and less power consumption. Thus, they are more efficient. The maximum ratings for highly-efficient ACs could reach up to 10 stars. Earlier, the range was between 1 to 6 stars. The additional four stars denote their super efficiency. Split air conditioners are rated on the basis of star rating.

Maintenance/Installation

Get your AC installed by a professional and accredited service provider to prevent costly faults. Also, ask them about any additional maintenance or servicing after installation. Constant servicing or maintenance keeps the AC unit and air filters clean. It also prevents any deterioration in the cooling capacity. Try out these steps to keep the AC in the best condition:

• Turn off your AC when not in use.
• Clean the AC condenser through the pressure hose.
• Ensure an accumulation-free external unit by removing leaves, dust, debris, etc.
• Change the air filters every three months.

Meanwhile, look for faults like water/refrigerant leaks, frozen condenser coil, or hot airflow. Also, on encountering such issues, consult an AC servicing personnel for a quick fix.

 Noise

Make sure you check the noise level created by the AC. It’s best to look for an indoor noise value of 19-53 dB and outdoor unit values of 42-69 dB.

Now, you’re ready to buy the right air conditioner. Hopefully, this guide helps you find the right product that fits your needs, preferences, and budget.