Like the internet, air conditioning started as a luxurious amenity that later on evolved into a necessity over time. That’s because a proper home air conditioner not only provides homeowners a way to get away from the boiling rays of the Sun, but also provide air purification throughout the year, control humidity during the monsoon season, and also heat up their rooms during Winters.
However, getting an air conditioning unit(s) isn’t that easy as one would make out. There are a number of factors that go into buying an air conditioner for yourself like the size of your room, and how big the unit should be, etc. It doesn’t necessarily have to be the most popular or even the most expensive model in the market. There are also a variety of air conditioning options available for consumers to choose from, such as central air conditioning, to a portable, window, ductless mini-split systems and more. And that’s where this article comes in.
We’ve put this write-up together to help guide you on how to pick an air conditioning unit. The instructions laid out below will give you a much more informed decision as to what unit would be better off for your house and how much value it would provide for your money.
Things To Consider Before Buying An Air Conditioner
Cooling Capacity
The first step in how to choose an air conditioner is to ensure a unit comes with an adjustable thermostat and two air-cooling speeds. Your potential air conditioner should also have about two fan speeds for different speeds for a variety of needs.
Ensure that the unit has a British thermal unit (BTU) that fits with your house. For example, if the British thermal unit capacity is too low for your target space, the AC will not be going to cool in the way you want it to. Likewise, In case the BTU capacity is very high, it will quickly cool the temperature without any dehumidification. To determine the proper fitting for your room, have a look at this charge:
| Area | Capacity in BTU’s per hour | Tonnage of the AC |
| 0 to 90 sq. ft. | ~5,000 | 1 |
| 90 to 110 sq. ft. | ~12,000 | 1.2 |
| 120 to 150 sq. ft. | ~18,000 | 1.5 |
| 150 to 200 sq. ft. | ~24,000 | 2 |
Picking The Right Size
Another important factor of how to choose an air conditioning unit is by choosing the right size for your space. Now we’re not talking about physical size, but rather the output required for your house. The weight of air conditioners is determined by tons, and the general rule In selecting air conditioners is to add 1 ton to each 600 square unit of a house.
So if your house happens to be 3,000 square feet and you wish to cool the whole place, then a 5-ton unit is required. But if you need to pull one single room, then you must determine the size of that particular space and go with either a window or a portable air conditioner that has the most appropriate weight in tons. If you want, you can even get expert advice from an HVAC professional on the appropriate size AC unit for your home.
Noise Levels
Older indoor air conditioners are known for making an annoying buzzing sound that prevents homeowners from enjoying a more comfortable sleep. noisy outdoor units can disturb you, as well as your neighbors if not placed carefully. When buying an air conditioner, consider the decibel scale of each unit.
Central units are said to be the quietest, measuring in at 10 decibels, followed by ductless mini-split systems that measure at about 20 decibels. Window units are said to be relatively tolerable at 50 decibels with the noisiest part of the system being on the outside or in another room. And the loudest are portable ACs that measure at 70 decibels.
If you want to know about how to take care of that loud buzzing noise from your unit, read more here.
Energy Efficiency
Because of the escalating electricity taxes and elevating mercury levels, buying an energy-efficient air-conditioner has virtually become a necessity. Those units that come with a star-rated energy efficiency rating or a Season Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) that’s recommended by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency or BEE. Therefore, those units with higher ratings consume much less energy compared to models with fewer stars.
Although a higher-rated unit may cost you more, it will no doubt save you a lot of money in the long-run and do less damage to the environment at that. Furthermore, homeowners can also qualify for tax credits by investing in an extremely-efficient central model that can counterbalance the costs.
Speed Settings
The fan speed of your potential AC unit has to be adjustable for you to control how much clean air flows around your space. If, for instance, your room is especially humid and hot, then adjusting the settings to a higher level will cool the room much quicker. You’ll also be able to come up with a quieter setting for the night, if and when required.
Other Features to Consider
- Dust filter: This filter catches every little dust mite and particles flowing around in the space that needs cooling.
- Anti-bacterial filter: This filter gets rid of dust mites, pollen, allergens, and bacteria from the air in your room to make it cleaner and more healthy.
- Heater: Increase the temperature to comfortable levels during winter and avoid the need to buy a separate heating unit.
- Dehumidifier: gets rid of excess moisture from the air during the rainy season, keeps the room from getting damp, prevents the growth of bacteria and fungus.
- Auto-cleaning: remove bacteria and mold deposits within the blower automatically.
Types Of Air Conditioners
Now that we have considered some of the most essential factors, let’s look at the types of air conditioners that are right for you.
- Central units. This unit means that air is pumped from a single unit into an entire house through ductwork. Because of this, it’s usually the most expensive out of other units, but you might end up saving more money if you get one that is energy efficient.
- Window units. Other people, such as those living in apartments, might prefer a window unit. It fits and sits right on your window, pumps in cool air and dispels hot air outside. Window units are relatively more affordable than central air conditioning units, although they’re not always as efficient.
- Portable units. If you’re on a tight budget, then a portable air conditioner would be more convenient. It might not be efficient as a window, for a central unit, but it’s a great option for those who rent a property or tend to move around from one room to another.
