Buying an air conditioner is an important decision that will affect positively the comfort, way of living, and even health of you and your family. This is why this decision is something that cannot be taken lightly.
Take into consideration that an air conditioner at home guarantees better rest, relaxation, mental and physical health, and even increased productivity if you work from home.
On the other hand, if you buy an air conditioner that doesn’t meet your needs you can encounter some annoyances like low energy efficiency and discomfort.
So, before buying your air conditioner, do your research and read the following factors that you should consider to make the best decision.
What air conditioners to choose from?
The most common types of air conditioning systems are the following:
- Split system
It has a good performance and aesthetic design that does not clash. This one is the easiest to install.
- Multi-head system.
They consist of several split indoor units in different rooms, all connected to the same outdoor unit. This system is used when it is difficult or impossible to install multiple outdoor units.
- Portable
It can be used in different rooms because of portability and does not need installation.
- Ducted system
It is important to have ceiling space to install ducts that distribute the cold or heat in the house. They do not alter the aesthetics much because indoor unit is not visible.
What to consider?
The size of your place
The size of the place is an essential factor to decide which air conditioner is the best fit for you.
The power of the air conditioning system, typically in kilowatts, must go hand in hand with the size of the room. For example, a very large room cannot be cooled by a device with a small kilowatt rating. Likewise, a device with many kilowatts would be wasting power in a small room.
For this reason, it is more important to know the power required by the rooms to be air conditioned to buy the device. It is not complicated to calculate it – just ask an AC expert.
Remember that the higher the power, the more you will have to pay. That is why it is important to bear in mind that choosing a device with more power than you need will not mean better air conditioning, but simply a higher cost upfront and in your monthly energy bill.
Specifications of your place
It is not enough to know the size of your place, you will also need to know other specifications like the impact of the light, how many windows are in your home, where they are located, and how many people usually spend the time in each area of the house.
Also, you should know about the weather of your location, the orientation of your house, how many degrees it is exposed to the sun, the square meters of windows and doors to the outside, and even the length of walls on the facade.
In general terms, the worse the energy rating of the property, the harsher the climate, the more exposed the house is to the sun, and the more people live in it, then the more powerful the air conditioning required.
The installation distance
At the time of installation, you not only have to take into account the place, but also the distance. This is because the greater the distance between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, the lower the efficiency of the system will be.
For example, an installation with 10 meters of separation represents a loss of performance of between 3% and 5%, and a 15 meter separation represents a loss between 7% and 10%.
Also, when it comes to the outdoor unit, its location is very important. Being able to have adequate ventilation is essential. For example, if it is installed near a wall, you must ensure enough suitable distance for the air to flow easily. Its is also better to have it in a shady place where possible.
The difference in temperature from being in direct sunlight or being in the shade can be from 5ºC to 10ºC. This difference can result in up to 20% excess consumption and we are sure you will want to prioritize energy savings.
Energy saving
Talking about energy saving, the amount of energy used by an air conditioning system is another aspect that also must be taken into account, especially to contribute to the environment and at the same time-saving in electricity consumption, which leads to a significant reduction of expense in the long run.
Remember that energy efficient air conditioners have a cycle that goes on and off less frequently and tend to have less wear and tear over time.
Also, because they perform so well, they don’t need to be replaced as soon or as often as less efficient systems. So, an increased lifespan is an amazing reason to get an energy-saving system and know exactly how to choose one.
In conclusion, as we have seen, you need to consider several factors to choose the most suitable aircon system for your home. The size of your place and its specifications, the installation distance, and how much are you willing to spend on your new aircon at the moment of buying it and in the long run are key factors to make a decision.
Remember that a wrong choice can lead to excessive electrical costs and poor system efficiency, so make sure you research your options and/or find help with an expert if you think you need so (or just want to save some time!).
