Air Conditioners Buying Guide

With the increasing effects of global warming, air conditioners have become necessities rather than luxuries. They keep the home, office, or business areas cool and ensure the inhalation of fresh uncontaminated air. Air conditioners come in a variety of sizes, models, and configurations. This guide takes you on a tour across these features and helps you to make the right decision in buying an AC.

Factors to consider when buying an AC

Knowing the right size of air conditioner to buy is important. It ensures that the AC is not overused and that there is efficient air circulation. To choose the right size of the air conditioner to buy, consider the operating room size and the number of occupants. The bigger the room, the bigger the size of the AC. This is to make sure that the air conditioner covers as much space as it can carry at a regulated speed and also to ensure that all occupants have enough share of the fresh air it generates.

Another factor to consider is the energy efficiency of the air conditioner. How energy efficient or not an AC is, determines the amount of power it consumes which also relates to the amount you pay on electricity bills. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) gives star ratings to energy-efficient air conditioners. The higher the number of star ratings, the higher the efficiency of the AC. Energy rating is measured in BTUs.

Air conditioners could be categorized as Split Acs and  Window AC.

• Split air conditioners consists of two units- Indoor and Outdoor. The indoor unit features the cooling coil, blower, and air filter while the outdoor unit has the compressor and condenser coils. Split Air conditioners are more air flow efficient and make less noise. They are ideal for big rooms and industrial uses. However, they are expensive and take more time and expertise to install than window air conditioners.

• Window air conditioners have one unit and are mounted on the windows or walls. They are ideal for small rooms as the airflow is not as efficient as that of split air conditioners. They are cheaper than Split air conditioners and are easier to install.

It is not just enough to be air efficient, air conditioners should be fast in cooling. Look out for the cooling speed of the AC by checking the energy efficiency and the thermostat value. How fast do the fans move? That should tell you how fast the AC would cool a room

Not everyone is comfortable with the  noise generated by running air conditioners. To reduce the discomfort you get from the noise, go for Split air conditioners. They make less noise while they operate as opposed to window AC types.

This is another important factor to consider in air conditioners. The air quality of the AC should not be compromised. To ensure that you receive quality air in your home or office, go for air conditioners with filters. The filter absorbs germs and other impurities and ensures that you get fresh and uncontaminated air. A good air conditioner should also have a dehumidifier. This feature reduces the level of humidity in your room and ensures only fresh air is circulated with less vapor.

Air conditioners come in two major coils. The copper coil air conditioners and Aluminum coil air conditioners. Overall, copper coil air conditioners are more durable, easier to maintain, and more energy efficient than aluminum coils. On the other hand, aluminum coils are cheaper.

There are a lot of smart features that have been integrated into air conditioners. These features make the use of air conditioners more convenient and Interesting. Some of these smart features include

1. Voice command feature which allows you to control your AC using your voice
2. Activity sensors regulate the energy consumption of the AC depending on your activities in the room
3. Automatic cleaning feature which cleans the AC filter.
4. Wi-Fi connection for wireless network access
5. App control feature which allows you to control your AC with your smartphone other than a remote 

Air conditioners with these smart features are generally more expensive but offer better satisfaction.

The price of air conditioners depends on the type, features it comes with and the brand you buy from. For better money value, go for air conditioners with the highest ratings. It saves you a lot of money and stress.