Facts you Must Know Before Investing in an Air Conditioner

Fact – you may have to part with a tidy sum for a high-quality air conditioner, whether you’re looking for a window or central AC. Some top of the line models cost well over three thousand bucks. Do you know what this implies? Well, it means that you have to get the basics correct before spending your cash.

What follows is a detailed guide about how to pinpoint an AC that’ll serve your needs satisfactorily.

Know the Various Types of Air Conditioners

Your choice of one type of room air conditioner over the other primarily depends on where you’re going to install the unit. Of course, this shouldn’t be a hard decision if you own a home. You may have to ask your landlord’s approval if you’re a tenant. The most common AC types include;

• Wall mounted models – requires a little bit of renovation work
• Window mounted models – most sought after and an excellent choice if you want to save some money
• Portable models – these work by removing hot air via a connection out of your window
• Mini air or spilled ductless systems – these are relatively expensive in comparison to the window and wall ACs. On the flip side, however, they’re less intrusive than full central units.

Note – Window and wall ACs are the best option if you’re looking for easy installation.

Buy Only an AC with Approved Refrigerant 

Avoid ozone-damaging HCFCs and R-22 refrigerants. Opt of conditioner that runs on a more earth-friendly R410A to safeguard your investment and to make sure that you don’t have problems serving your AC in the future.

Decide on Capacity Required to Cool your Rooms 

It is essential to mention that the AC capacities vary from one model to the other. It is, therefore, critical that you check the unit’s you plan to purchase output to ensure that it can handle your needs.  In other words, be careful not to under or oversize your room for the best results. Industry experts recommend that you measure your space before going out to shop. Here’s a rundown of the perfect BTU’s for specific areas according to Consumer Reports.

• Small rooms – About 5,000 to 6,000 BTU for an area of 100 square foot
• Medium rooms – About 7,000 to 8,000 BTU for an area of 250 to 550 square foot
• Large rooms – About 9,800 to 12,500 BTU for an area of 350 to 950 square foot

Tip – don’t forget to ask about a particular model’s coverage area in case you’re not sure.

Invest in an Energy Saving Conditioner

Here’s the thing – running an AC can cost you thousands of dollars every year. You should, therefore, check whether the unit you decide to buy has an EnergyStar rating. These models can save you up to 30% in energy cost.

Also, be sure to check the EER rating. For starters, air conditioners certified by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) come with an energy efficiency rating (EER). The higher the EER value, the cheaper it is to operate the unit.

A model with an EER rating of 11, for instance, will cost you less to operate in comparison to one with a rating of 6. Indeed, you have to combine both the EnergyStar and EER rating to determine which conditioner is more efficient.

Should you Buy a Portable Air Conditioner?

Even though a wall or window AC will serve you in your house all year round, it makes perfect sense to invest in a portable model. One of the benefits of a compact, easy-to-carry AC is that it is super versatile. In essence, this implies that you can move it from room A to B or anywhere else depending on your cooling needs.

…One More Thing – Don’t Forget to Service your Air Conditioner 

Your AC requires regular maintenance. At the very least, it enables you to ensure that the unit is working. It also helps extend the conditioner’s durability.

Still, you need to hire an experienced air conditioning repair and maintenance service. That way, you can rest assured that you’re dealing with people who know what they’re doing. Think of it as a way to get value for your money. On that note, visit Airecontrol.com to discover AireControl, one of the leading AC repair and servicing companies in Singapore and how they can help keep your cooling system in the best possible shape.

In conclusion, you should spend some time to familiarize yourself with the basics of air conditioning systems before you take the plunge. After all, it’s all spending your cash on a unit that can handle your cooling needs.