What to Consider when Choosing an Air Conditioner for Home

Choosing the right air conditioner is key to the comfort of your family during sweltering hot summers. With the huge amount of products on the market, it can be overwhelming to work out what’s best for you. To help you make a decision, consider the following factors and features when choosing an air conditioner.

1. Energy efficiency

For the sake of protecting the environment and your bank account, energy efficiency should be your top priority when weighing up the features of different air conditioners. Most air conditioners are designed with energy efficiency in mind, as it’s an absolutely necessary feature. Those that feature inverter technology are especially great, as they can reduce almost 30% of your energy consumption compared to older models. Some new models can also monitor whether a room is in use and adjust power output accordingly, saving a significant amount of energy and money.

2. Health benefits

The right air conditioner can actually provide a host of health benefits, meaning these features are well worth looking into when making your decision. Air conditioners tend to include a basic mesh filter which collects harmful particles and dust, but newer models can come with built-in ionisers, UV air filtration systems and antiviral and antioxidant filters. If you would like to improve the air quality in your home while staying cool, a modern system that includes the above features is best for you.

Also look for an air conditioner that doesn’t strip the air of moisture, as this can irritate those with dry skin or sensitive throats and eyes.

3. Room layout

The right air conditioner depends on the size and layout of the room. By fitting the air conditioner to the room, you ensure that you don’t waste any energy or force the air conditioner to overperform.

To ensure you find the right fit, measure the length, width and height of the room or area. These measurements can then be used to calculate the air conditioner capacity required.

4. Temperature

In order to deal with boiling hot temperatures, you need to ensure that the air conditioner you get can provide the required temperature. Some air conditioners available on the market still function well at temperatures as high as 46 degrees.

Most air conditioners will be able to provide appropriate cooling in most environments, but if you live in particularly harsh environment, double check the operating range of an air conditioner before buying it to ensure it can stand up to the challenge of extreme heat.

5. Humidity

Humid climate puts a lot of pressure on air conditioners, which then consumes more electricity. If you live in a particularly humid climate, evaporative coolers won’t be for you. If you live in a tropical area, ensure that your air conditioner isn’t placed next to the kitchen or bathroom, which are already very humid areas of the home. This will help your air conditioner to perform better.

6. Quality

An air conditioner is an investment, and therefore it’s important to invest in a reliable appliance. Go with a well-established brand or reliable provider and installer. Have a look at the warranty period and go for a company that provides good after-sales service to ensure you get the most bang for your buck.

7. Appearance

Your air conditioner will be a noticeable feature on your wall, whether you want it to or not. Because of this, it’s important to consider its appearance and how it complements the design of your home. An unassuming white air conditioner might work well in some homes, while a sleek silver model might be perfect for another.

8. Installation process

When you find the perfect air conditioner, you may be tempted to buy it straight away. However, buying an air conditioner isn’t all that simple: you also have to consider the installation process, which is where problems can arise.
Installing an air conditioner can be problematic in apartments, as shared walls and small balconies don’t make for good places to mount an air conditioning unit.

Also consider how loud your air conditioner is, so as not to disturb your neighbors. The rated noise (dB) level is generally stated on air conditioners, allowing you to make an informed decision.