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With the screeching sun and sweltering heat, summers in many parts of the world can be an unpleasant experience. However, air conditioners prove to be a blessing in these times and do not prevent people like us from living a comfortable life as temperatures soar. Air conditioners are an integral part of any home and take up a significant chunk out of your must-have household appliances budget. Making the correct choice while buying an air conditioner is crucial as your home’s cooling, comfort, and energy consumption are directly dependent on it.
There are several different air conditioning systems out there, and selecting the best one for your home can be a bit tricky and confusing. Rest assured, if you do not rush and consider some essential factors described below, you can make a qualified decision by buying an air conditioner that best fits your needs.
Picking the Right Type of Air Conditioning System
Choosing the right kind of AC unit is simpler than you expected. There are various types of air conditioners designed for different purposes, and you will want to make sure you choose the right one that best suits your requirements. Let’s take a brief look at some of the most common types of air conditioning systems.
Window AC
This is the simplest type of air conditioning system, ideal for small rooms with a window space. Cheap to buy and run, they are energy efficient and the perfect choice if you want to cool your space cost-effectively. It is a single unit that houses all the AC components in it, making for easy installation. However, they may be noisier than other AC systems and occupy more space due to their large size. Also, they are easily portable from one room to another.
Split AC
A notch better than Window AC’s, a split AC is typically used for large space as their cooling capacity is quite higher. Mounted onto the wall, they consist of two separate units; an indoor condenser and a compressor that sits outside your home. As there are no moving parts in the indoor unit, split AC’s are almost silent. With that said, split AC’s come with a heftier price tag. As they are installed to one of your home’s outdoor walls permanently, it is not possible to move them from one space to another.
Portable AC
Compact and easy to install, portable air conditioners are the best choice for anyone living in a small space. They do not need any complex installations, which gives one the freedom to carry them where the need be. An excellent way to save money and slash the amount of energy consumption, they are the perfect choice if you need to lower the temperature of a specific room.
Regardless of the type of air conditioner you choose, you must keep your cooling system in tip-top condition by conducting regular maintenance checks and servicing. Ideally, you would want to replace your furnace filter every few months, as a dirty air filter can lead to breakdowns, inhibit proper airflow, and result in poor indoor air quality to breathe for you and your family. You may click here to read more about replacing a furnace filter and learn how to fit the rightly sized air filter to keep your air conditioner and furnace running smoothly.
Choosing the Right Size and Capacity
Needless to say that the size and capacity of your AC will be primarily dependent on is the size of the space you wish to cool and if it can accommodate the appliance with ease. An AC’s cooling capacity is typically measured by its tonnage, which ranges from 0.75 tons to about five tons, or British Thermal Units (BTU) in particular. In this guide, we will use tons as a measurement unit.
Several factors should play a key role in your choice. To maximize energy efficiency, consider the size of the room, ceiling height, the number of windows in it, sun exposure, and the local climate of the region. An AC with a high cooling capacity will provide much more cooling options; however, it will also consume more energy. With that said, it would be apt for large living spaces as it would offer more efficient cooling. In contrast, a lower tonnage AC is ideal for smaller rooms, as it does not have to work as hard to cool smaller living space. Consequently, it will also use much less energy. As a general guide, consider this chart below:
Room Size AC tonnage capacity
100-400 sq.ft. 0.75-1 Ton
400-700 sq.ft. 1.5 Tons
700-1000 sq. ft. 2 Tons
1000-1300 sq.ft. 2.5-3 Tons
To get the most bang for your buck, you must choose the correct tonnage that corresponds to the dimensions of your space. If you buy an AC with a higher than required cooling capacity, you will end up paying more for the purchase in addition to getting unnecessarily large power bills. Similarly, buying a small AC for a large living space will not only result in inefficient cooling but also lead to the unit consuming more energy.
Consider the SEER Rating
When buying a new air conditioner for yourself, pay attention to the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating, a factor that will help you determine an air conditioner’s efficiency. Simply put, it determines the energy an AC unit will consume in operation over a year, thus impacting your utility bills. Similar to miles per gallon in a car, the higher the SEER rating of the AC, the less energy it will use to keep your home comfortable. The rating ranges from 13-21, and understanding what it means before choosing a new AC will help you make an informed decision about the cooling unit that best suits your needs.
Having an air conditioner inside your home or workplace is a must these days. Without it, the feeling of discomfort and unease will really be felt. In buying this essential appliance, one must not forget the tips stated above. Doing so will help you pick the ideal AC unit for your specific needs. Check out this website for more information.
