To get the most from your air conditioner, there are plenty of factors you should pay attention to. These factors, as given by air conditioner repair services, include:
Room size
An air conditioner requires a specific cooling capability to chill any room. A 1-ton AC, for example, is more than enough for a modest space of 150 square feet.
A 1.5 Ton AC is required for a medium room, while a 2 Ton AC is needed for a bigger space.
Before you head to the stores, determine the room’s square footage. To calculate the square footage, multiply the length and width of the room by two.
If your room is 12 feet long and 10 feet broad, the square footage is 120 square feet.
You should then determine the number of British Thermal Units (BTUs) required. The reason for this is that the cooling capacity of an air conditioner is measured in BTUs. The greater the cooling capacity, the higher the BTU rating.
As you do the calculations, remember that room insulation, ceiling height, windows, and heat-producing appliances can all impact cooling requirements.
A greater BTU rating may be required if your room has expansive windows, poor insulation, or additional heat sources.
Type of AC
What type of AC are you looking to install in your home? This is an important factor to consider as it affects your experience.
When looking for an air conditioner, there are generally five types of AC: window AC, split AC, portable AC, hot and cold AC, and tower AC.
Window AC requires little or no civil work and is slightly less expensive than Split ACs. The downside is that it’s noisy.
Split AC: This AC is ideal for individuals who want even room cooling. Split air conditioning is less noisy and less expensive.
Portable air conditioners are ideal for cooling your home with a single unit. The beauty is that you can easily move them from one room to another.
The hot and cold air conditioner is ideal for all weather conditions. With this AC, you can adjust the temperature to make your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Tower air conditioners are the finest choice for central cooling. A Tower AC is sufficient for cooling commercial areas or larger spaces.
If you aren’t sure about the AC you should go for, get the input of a professional.
Air filter
The air filter is essential to any air conditioner because it provides you and your family with the freshest and cleanest airflow.
ACs come in different types of filters. The most common types of air filters are:
Standard filters are simple and provide minimal filtration. They are designed to collect larger particles, such as dust and lint, but they may be less efficient against smaller particles or allergies.
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters effectively capture microscopic particles such as allergies, dust mites, and pet dander. They provide better air filtering but may need to be replaced more frequently, increasing the AC unit’s expense.
Electric screens attract and trap particles by using an electric charge. They are washable and reusable. However, they may not be as effective as HEPA filters.
Your preferences should inform the filter you choose. For example, if you suffer from allergies, you should use HEPA filters, as they better capture allergens.
As you are making the purchase, consider the filter efficiency. Filter efficiency is commonly assessed by an air filter’s Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating.
The greater the MERV rating, the better the filter captures tiny particles. Look for AC units with higher MERV ratings, particularly MERV 8 or higher, for improved air quality.
Auto Clean
Purchasing an air conditioner with an auto-clean option is a wise decision. The self-cleaning feature ensures that the airflow is clean and fresh.
Auto-cleaning air conditioners help to maintain better indoor air quality by decreasing dust, mold, and bacteria buildup in the unit and its components. This might be especially beneficial for people with respiratory disorders or allergies.
The auto-clean feature eliminates manual cleaning or maintenance by automating the cleaning process.
The AC unit automatically does drying or flushing to remove accumulated dust, moisture, and pollutants from the evaporator coils, filters, and other internal components.
When you buy an AC with auto-clean capabilities, you may need to clean the AC unit less frequently, which saves time and effort. However, it is crucial to note that routine maintenance and filter replacement is still necessary for maximum operation.
Energy efficiency
If you don’t consider energy consumption when choosing an AC, it will cost you a lot of money. The more energy efficient an air conditioner, the more expensive it is. However, it also helps you save electricity and money on your utility costs.
Look out for EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) when you are in the stores. EER and SEER assess the energy efficiency of air conditioning units.
Look for models with higher EER or SEER ratings because they are more energy efficient. Higher ratings indicate that the air conditioner can cool more effectively while using less electricity.
You also should Look for Energy Star-certified air conditioners. The Energy Star designation denotes that the product fulfills the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) particular energy efficiency criteria.
Energy Star-certified air conditioners are designed to use less energy without sacrificing performance, allowing you to save money on energy expenditures.
Dehumidifying feature
If you live in a humid climate or wish to eliminate excess moisture in your interior environment, purchasing an air conditioner (AC) with a dehumidification feature can be a great decision.
To ensure that you will get the best results from the unit, look for the dehumidification rate of the air conditioner, which is usually indicated in pints per hour or liters per day.
This specification will tell you how much moisture the device can extract from the air at a particular time.
If you aren’t sure about a suitable unit, get the input of experienced air conditioner repair services Stony Brook.