What to consider when choosing an air conditioner?
Air conditioners are a great solution to ensure pleasant air in rooms even on the hottest summer days. The question of how to choose an air conditioner is relevant to many people, so we have made sure that you can get the necessary answers - just take into account the information below!
What are the main types of air conditioners?
The type of air conditioner not only determines its installation, but also its efficiency, size, cost, and other parameters, so it is important to understand which type is most suitable for your home, garage, commercial space, or other location. Generally, three different types of air conditioners are distinguished.
These conditioners are very easy to install, as warm air from the room is expelled through a tube. Portable air conditioners stand out with a low price and can be easily moved. However, it should be noted that these conditioners can be quite noisy and are intended for use in relatively small spaces.
Window or single-unit air conditioners
These conditioners are most commonly installed by placing them in the window frame or next to the window in the wall; as the name suggests, they consist of a single large unit. The advantage of these conditioners is the excellent price-performance ratio, but it should be noted that a single-unit conditioner can be quite loud and take up a large part of the window.
Split or split system air conditioners
These conditioners consist of two parts - one of them is located indoors (the indoor unit) and the other is located outside the building (the outdoor unit). Both units are connected by pipes through which air circulation and cooling take place. The biggest advantage of this is efficiency, as well as quiet and safe operation, which is why more and more homes and commercial spaces are equipped with this type of conditioner. However, it should be noted that the price of such air conditioning systems is higher, and professional installation is required.
After the installation, air conditioners are further divided into more detailed categories:
Cassette air conditioners - usually used in rooms with suspended ceilings, where the indoor unit is placed in the ceiling grid, thus "hiding" it;
Ducted air conditioners - the indoor unit of these air conditioners is built either in the suspended ceiling or in the wall, making it invisible and allowing it to not affect the room's design.
As you can see, before purchasing an air conditioner, it is important to understand which type of conditioner is most suitable for the specific room; the layout of the room is especially important, i.e., whether it is possible to install the specific model of conditioner in it.
What air conditioner parameters should you pay special attention to?
In order for the use of the air conditioner to be convenient and safe, and for it to fully meet your needs, be sure to consider the parameters listed below!
Cooling capacity
The higher the kilowatts (kW), the greater the cooling capacity of the air conditioner (and also the power consumption), but this does not automatically mean higher performance - it can also be influenced by other factors, such as the type of conditioner. It is very important that the capacity of the conditioner is sufficient for the room in which it will be used. Opting for a conditioner with lower capacity may seem like a cost-saving measure, but it will not be possible to achieve the desired result or the device will have to be overloaded, which can lead to much faster wear and tear or even damage to the conditioner.
Room size
The specifications of air conditioners indicate the size of the rooms for which a particular model is intended. However, it should be understood that this is only an approximate recommendation, as the height of the ceiling, the number and placement of windows, the orientation of the room towards the sun, the material of the walls, the floor on which the room is located, the number of people regularly present in the room, and other factors also play a significant role. To fully understand how powerful air conditioners could be suitable for your needs, it is not possible to do without consultation with a professional.
Noise level
The noise produced by air conditioners is indicated in decibels (dB) - the higher the value, the louder the operation of the device. It is important to note that the noise level is separately indicated for both the indoor and outdoor units. It is also important to consider the power at which the conditioner operates - the more intensive the operation mode, the louder the noise. The noise level varies significantly between different types of air conditioners; for example, wall-mounted air conditioners can be quieter than 20 dB (equivalent to a whisper), while portable air conditioners are usually at least 40 dB loud - as loud as most refrigerators. This aspect should be given special attention if the conditioner is intended to be installed in a bedroom.
Energy efficiency class
The energy efficiency classes range from G (least efficient) to A+++ (most energy efficient). How are these classes distinguished? Quite simply - a letter closer to the beginning of the alphabet means that the air conditioner is more energy efficient (and the more plus signs, the better). This parameter largely determines the operating costs of the conditioner - a higher energy efficiency class means a more wallet-friendly electricity bill.
Number and types of modes
Air conditioners can have various operating modes: turbo, night, automatic, and many others. This does not mean that you should look for a model with as many operating modes as possible, but this parameter is worth paying attention to. The night mode, for example, will be useful if the air conditioner is planned to be used at night in a bedroom or near it. A very useful function is air ionization, during which negatively charged ions are released into the air, making the air in the room cleaner and fresher. On the other hand, if you need to make the room where the air conditioner will be used warmer during the colder months, the heating function will be useful. This solution will not only save space but also money (as there will be no need to purchase a separate convector, infrared heater, oil radiator, or other type of air heater).
Size and design of the conditioner
Air conditioners vary greatly in size, so before searching for a specific model, carefully measure how much space can be allocated for both the indoor and outdoor units of the conditioner. It is also important to consider the maximum allowable distance between the indoor and outdoor units. And although the primary function of the conditioner is air cooling (or heating), the visual appearance of the device (especially the indoor unit) should also be taken into account, so that it fits organically into the interior of the room.
Outdoor temperature operating range
Indicates the minimum and maximum temperature at which the air conditioner is capable of performing its intended functions. When choosing a conditioner that both cools and heats the air, consider that each of these operations has a different outdoor temperature operating range.
Additional features
To make it more convenient to use the air conditioner, it can have features such as:
Timer - allows you to turn on the air conditioner for a certain time interval, after which the device will turn off automatically. Timers can have different modes - simpler models offer one or a few time intervals, while more advanced models allow you to manually adjust the duration of the conditioner's operation;
Remote control - as the name suggests, with a remote control, you can control the air conditioner remotely. This solution is especially useful if the indoor unit of the conditioner is located in a harder-to-reach place, such as on the ceiling or in a suspended ceiling construction;
LED display - with the help of an LED display, you can see important information and easily adjust the operation of the conditioner. However, it should be noted that the information displayed on the display may vary for different conditioner models;
Wheels - when purchasing a portable conditioner, wheels significantly facilitate the movement of the device;
Wi-Fi control - allows you to connect and control the air conditioner with a smart device and/or computer using a Wi-Fi network.
These are just a few of the additional features offered by modern air conditioners, so carefully familiarize yourself with the specifications of the specific device, where you will always find detailed information about the functions of the conditioner and everything else.
It is better to entrust the installation (and also the selection of the most suitable conditioner) to a professional
In order for the air conditioner to work as it should, it is very important not only to choose the most suitable model but also to install it correctly and accurately. Installing portable air conditioners yourself is not difficult, but in other cases, it is recommended to use the services of a professional - otherwise, the conditioner may be ineffective or wear out significantly faster, and in this way, you are very likely to lose the warranty of the device as well. Consulting with a professional will also be useful in choosing the air conditioner itself.
Air conditioners for any room, from a small bedroom to an auto repair shop, can be found in the PROF.LV offer - we are the No.1 building materials e-shop/warehouse in Latvia. It is especially convenient to find the most suitable air conditioner on our website, as each model is accompanied by a detailed description and specifications, and the search is facilitated by the convenient and intuitive search filter, where you can mark the main parameters of the air conditioners. And all of this comes with affordable prices and delivery throughout Latvia, as well as a personal sales consultant for every customer!
