5 things you need to know when buying an air conditioner
If you’ve recently sweltered, suffered and sweated through a summer, it’s tempting to just get an air conditioner – any air conditioner – into the house. However, one air conditioner won't necessarily be as ‘cool’ as another! Even respected brands and reliable models may work well in one home design and environment, but perform poorly in another. Today we check out the 5 most important things to know before you buy an air conditioner.
- Too big is just as bad as too small
Obviously, an air conditioner with too little cooling capacity won’t serve your needs. You’re aiming to cool your home down, after all, and anything that is too small to do the job will be little use! However, air conditioners with a cooling capacity that is too high aren’t cost effective either. They’ll cycle on an off too frequently, wear the machine quicker, and won't stay on long enough to dehumidify the air.
- You need to match your air conditioner type to your climate
Evaporative air conditioners work well in hot, dry climates – but won't deliver much cooling power in humid climates. If there is a substantial difference between your lowest winter temperatures and your highest summer temperatures, your best choice will be a reverse cycle air conditioner that not only cools in summer but doubles as a highly energy-efficient heater in winter. Those that live in climates that are hot for substantial portions of the year will do best with an inverter air conditioner; these units are more energy efficient when running at part load (the most typical household usage).
- The installation and purchase prices aren’t the only costs you’ll need to consider
Air conditioners can have a sizable impact on your electricity bill – if you’ll be using your air conditioner a lot, you could end up saving money by buying a more expensive but also more energy efficient model. Reverse-cycle systems are one of the most efficient forms of heating available, so getting the right air conditioner can also have an impact on your winter power bill! There are quite models of reverse cycle air conditioner that get the top rating for both heating and cooling functions.
- Your air conditioning installer can help you place the air conditioner
Try not to decide on an installation position for your air conditioner before you’ve had a sales consultation. Factors like the need for shade, proximity to air inlets and outlets, local noise regulations, and the fact that it is better to install on the long wall of a room will all affect your optimum air conditioner placement.
- ‘Fancy’ features can actually be very useful
Many models of air conditioner now come with extra features that can make them more efficient and effective, as well as making life easier for you. Additions like oscillating and adjustable louvres, timers and automatic de-icing features can make life with your new air conditioner a lot simpler!
