We thought we’d go ahead and put together a few tips that you should look out for when buying an air conditioner. It’s not as difficult as it looks and sometimes it’s easy to get inundated by all the air conditioner jargon. So we’ve broken it down for you and this article should help you get a better grip on things. So let’s get started on our air conditioner buyer’s guide.
Types of Air Conditioners
Split Air Conditioners: These types of air conditioner are often referred to as mini-split or ductless air conditioners. They typically require minor duct work, via a line set, and involve an indoor unit, and a small outdoor unit.
Window Air Conditioners: These types of unit can easily be placed in to a window, and allow for moderate cooling, depending on BTU.Types of Air Conditioners
Split Air Conditioners: These types of air conditioner are often referred to as mini-split or ductless air conditioners. They typically require minor duct work, via a line set, and involve an indoor unit, and a small outdoor unit.
Window Air Conditioners: These types of unit can easily be placed in to a window, and allow for moderate cooling, depending on BTU.
Portable Air Conditioners: These air conditioners require minimal installation effort and can usually be placed any where in the home, with a window close by.
Common Terms and Air Conditioners
BTU: A BTU or British Thermal Unit is the international standard measurement of energy, typically used for heating and cooling products. A BTU can be measured as the amount of heat required, to raise 1 pound of water, or 1 degree Fahrenheit. Now that you’ve got that, when it comes to an air conditioner, a BTU is the amount of heat an air conditioner can remove from a room.
In terms of an air conditioner, typically the more BTUs, the more expensive the air conditioner, as well as energy costs. The size and weight of the unit also goes up. That said, the greater the BTU, the larger the area the air conditioner can service, and the larger the room can be.
EER: Energy Efficiency Ratio or EER is a measurement used to establish the overall efficiency of the air conditioner. The higher the EER, the more efficient the unit should be. You can actually calculate the EER by dividing the BTU from the number of Watts, and get a range of 8 to 11.5.
Thermostat: A thermostat is the module that regulates the temperature of the air coming from the AC. Depending on your preference, some air conditioner models offer remote controls, 24 hour timers, as well as variable fan speeds, to control the amount of air blowing into the room. These are all great additional options, but generally a good air conditioner should have these already included.
Air Filter: Most air conditioners include an air filter, which captures any dirt, dust, pollen, and other air borne particles. To maintain proper air quality, its important that you find an air conditioner that has a filter that is easy to be cleaned and/or changed.
Fan: The fan helps to move air around your home and is an important part of your air conditioner. Most air conditioners offer variable fan speeds, and adjustable vents, to control the direction of the air.
Compressor: The compressor is the heart of your air conditioner and uses a refrigerant gas to cool the warm air in your home. The compressor is usually located in the outdoor part of your air conditioners, and is referred to as the outdoor unit for split air conditioners.
Heat Pump: The heat pump allows you to use your air conditioner as a heater on colder days, and even during winter, depending on your regional climate. Many air conditioners can provide a heating function for up to 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Energy Star approved appliances and air conditioners usually use environmentally friendly gases, and are generally more energy efficient. If your eco-conscious or just like to save a little money on your electricity bill, an Energy Star rated product is right for you. These air conditioners require minimal installation effort and can usually be placed any where in the home, with a window close by.
Measuring Your Room and Choosing the Best Air Conditioner
The first step to finding the right air conditioner is to establish the amount of BTUs you’ll require to cool down your room. Its not as simple as bigger and better.
You’ll need to find the right sized air conditioner for your room, to make sure that you don’t unnecessarily increase your energy usage. Here is a table by Energy Star to help you establish the size of air conditioner you should get for your room:
Area to Be Cooled (square feet) | Capacity Needed (Btu per hour) |
100 to 150 | 5,000 |
150 to 250 | 6,000 |
250 to 300 | 7,000 |
300 to 350 | 8,000 |
350 to 400 | 9,000 |
400 to 450 | 10,000 |
450 to 500 | 12,000 |
500 to 700 | 14,000 |
700 to 1,000 | 18,000 |
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