An air conditioner is an integral part of comfort in our lives, especially during the hot summer season. It provides cooling and temperature regulation for the interior space, making it a pleasant and comfortable place to live. However, there are many different types and models of air conditioners on the market, which can make it challenging to choose the right option. In this article, we will explore how to select an air conditioner for a house or apartment, and Alpha Mechanical can assist you with its installation and maintenance.
What Should You Consider Before Choosing an Air Conditioner?
Before choosing an air conditioner, it is essential to consider several key factors to ensure a successful purchase. Let’s look at them in order.
Room Size
The first step in choosing an air conditioner is to determine the size of the room that needs to be cooled. The size of the room will affect the power of the air conditioner required to achieve a comfortable temperature. The larger the area of the room, the higher the cooling capacity of the air conditioner should be.
Types of Air Conditioners
The following types of air conditioners are currently popular:
Floor-Standing Air Conditioners
These models consist of a single unit, are powered by an outlet, and, as the name suggests, are installed on the floor. They are mobile, lightweight, require no installation, and have a low cost. In hot weather, they can be used not only to cool the air but also as a powerful fan.
But not everything is so rosy: in addition to the undeniable advantages, floor-standing models have some disadvantages:
Floor-standing options are equipped with an air duct (tube), which will have to be led outside. You can use a window, a balcony, or make a hole in the wall. When leading out through a window, you need to somehow close the remaining gap so that air does not penetrate. Otherwise, the efficiency of the work will be significantly reduced.
Such models have fewer operating modes compared to split systems. Such a function as heating is installed only in fairly expensive models. Air conditioners have significant noise during operation (up to 70 dB), which can reduce the comfort of use.
Split Systems
These are air conditioners with an internal and external unit. The first is located indoors, and the second is outside (on the facade or the balcony). This design allows you to eliminate noise, as the noisy elements are located in the external unit. This is a huge plus. Almost all models have a heating mode. The more expensive the device, the more functions it will have (turbo mode, night mode, etc.). Split systems are more expensive than floor models.
The main disadvantage is mandatory installation. You need to choose the right place to mount the units, accurately calculate all the dimensions, and hire a specialist to carry out the installation, such as Alpha Mechanical. Moving the air conditioner to another location requires dismantling. However, at the same time, when there is a split system in the room, the usable area is practically unaffected, and control can be carried out using a remote control or even a phone. When selecting an air conditioner, consider the room’s size. This characteristic is always spelled out in the instructions. However, there are some nuances to consider when adding approximately 20% to the area. That is necessary in the following cases:
You are not going to cool a studio, but a multi-room apartment. It should be taken into account that the device cools not only the room where it is located but also the corridor to some extent.
The outdoor unit is installed on the sunny side. The sun’s rays will heat the condenser, so it will be quite difficult for it to give off the collected heat.
There is a large amount of computer equipment in the room. It is capable of generating heat, and there is a slight increase in temperature.
Inverter Models
They are similar to split systems, that is, they also consist of two units, external and internal. The difference is the ability to inverter control the compressor power. Split models assume operation at maximum power or off, and inverter models — smooth power adjustment within specified limits.
This means additional advantages:
Since the compressor will operate at reduced power, and not constantly turn on and off, wear resistance increases. For comparison: the service life of split systems is ten years, and inverter models work without problems for decades.
The noise level of inverter air conditioners is low due to the operation not being at full capacity.
Reduced power consumption.
Smooth climate control, no strong temperature changes.
Important Parameters to Consider When Choosing an Air Conditioner
The main modes in modern air conditioners are cooling and heating. Floor models often feature a ventilation mode, allowing you to use the device as a powerful and convenient fan, providing good air circulation at a consistent temperature. Split systems are often equipped with a dehumidification mode, which is essential for regions with high humidity: the system will maintain the desired humidity and prevent it from increasing. However, if the humidity is low, the air conditioner will not be effective.
When thinking about choosing an air conditioner for your home or apartment, it is worth considering what additional modes a particular model has. Some of them are listed above, but some of the most interesting and useful are the following:
Night mode. Designed for less intensive and, accordingly, less noisy operation of the air conditioner at night. This is important for those people who do not tolerate any noise during rest or work.
Energy saving mode. Allows you to save money when paying your utility bill.
Turbo mode. This is a fairly “noisy” option, but it is possible to make the device work at full power, which guarantees that the desired temperature is quickly reached in the shortest possible time.
Conclusion
Choosing an air conditioner for your home or apartment is a task that requires a conscious approach. Taking into account all the above parameters, you will be able to make the right choice and create an ideal microclimate in your home. Do not forget about the correct installation and regular maintenance of the device. Alpha Mechanical specialists can help you with this.