How to Buy an Air Conditioner
The hot, humid climate of the south where I live makes owning an efficient A/C unit a must, not a luxury, so I have purchased my share of air conditioners over the years. Buying an air conditioner is relatively simple, once you answer a few questions about your needs and living space. Here’s a quick guide to make you a savvy air conditioner shopper (even if you live in a cooler northern climate) so you can enjoy cool comfort without blowing your budget, architecture or quite zones.
Air Conditioner Budget
The great news about air conditioners, (besides the obvious cooling effect) is that there is a unit for every budget. Window units designed to cool one or two rooms (5,000-9,000- BTU’s) can start as low as $100 and go all the way up to $1,500 for a ductless, decorative art panel unit.
Window Vs. Wall A/C
There are plenty of pros and cons for both installation methods, window or wall. Placing an air conditioning unit in a window does not require a professional, it’s a simple DIY project that will save you money. The cons of a window air conditioner is the obstruction of view and natural light from the window, plus the air conditioning unit will have to be removed from the window or winterized during the winter to prevent home heat loss.
Installing an air conditioner in the wall allows you to keep the window fully functional, but will require professional installation and a commitment to a permanent hole in the wall. Another con is room aesthetics, if a wall mount is in the wrong place, it can be unsightly and make room décor challenging.
Is Ductless Air Conditioning For You?
Mini or ductless air conditioners are gaining popularity in the United States. Ductless units are much quieter than conventional air conditioners because the noisy compressor is housed outside and connected through a small hole in the wall to the unit’s fan. Ductless air conditioners are very energy efficient, have exceptional air filtration systems and can be customized. The cons of a ductless air conditioner are they are more expensive than other types of air conditioners and must be professionally installed.
Features To Look For
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit and is a measuring unit for energy, the higher the BTU, the more energy an air conditioner will have. 5,000 – 6,000 BTU’s normally cools a standard sized bedroom, while around 9,000 BTU’s is needed to comfortably cool a larger family room.
EER stands for Energy Efficiency Ratio and SEER which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ration. The higher the EER or SEER the more efficient the unit and the less it will cost to operate.
Automatic fan speed means the air conditioner has a multi-speed fan and a automatic thermostat which responds to room temperature and selected settings.
Noise level is rated in decibels. The lower the decibel number, the quieter the air conditioner will be.
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