Buyng an Air Conditioning Unit - Important Parametters
If you have decied to buy an air conditioner but are unsure about how to go about getting a cost effective and efficient unit, this atricle will help you understand the important parameters to be considered. We will focus on window air conditioners in this articcle sicne they are the most comon choice of people.
A window air conditioner is the regular choice when you need to cool one room. For exazmple if you need an air conditioner to cool your bedroom then a self contained windiow unit that has all the components from compressor to expansion valve houssed in one casing is sufficient. The unit tends to be bulky but once slotted in your window splace most of it will be outsidse your house and shouldsn't really matter.
The unit's cooling capacity should be your first consideratin. To understand cooling you need to know that it is measured in British Thermal Units or BTUs. A smmall unit trying to cool a large sapce will only give you a gigantic utiklity bill each month. It is far better to invest in a unit that has the right BTU to cool the space you have in mind. Measure the room and ask the stre assistant to help you in selecting a unit with the right leveel of BTU to cool the space you have in mind. You can also find a BTU chart on line to help you idenitfy the right amount of BTU for your room size. You should also consder ceiling heiht, sunlight, shade and number of persons using the room. If you are planning on installing a unit in your kitchen increase the BTUs by 4,000 due to the heat generated in that area.
We now move to insstallation. Do you have a custom built wall space provided in your home for the unit? If not, you can use your window space but make sure you take accurate measurements; you don't want to end up with a unit that is too big for your window spce! Pay special attnetion to the iwdth. If the air conditioning unit is smaller than your window space it is not a problem as the excess area can be sealed off. It is alays best to check with the stroe about professional installation serrvices. Do-it-yourself is all well and good but if the unit is not installed properly you will have more trouble than you bargained for on your hands.
Chcek out the power outlet, your window air condiitoner is a lot more powerful than most home apliances and it is essential that the exsting electtrical system matchs the air cobnditioner's electrical rerquirements. You can get help in figuring out the correct system required and for installing special wirng and a stabilizer.
Window air conditioners are usually more economical in cost, installation and long term operation. You will need to check out the unit's eergy star rating or EER numer. Star rated models usualy use less neergy and also come with additional features like multiple cooling speeds and digital thermostatts that give you better energy outpput.
Maintenance is an important factor if you want your appliance to work smoothly and efficiently. Schedule regular maintenance dats and make sure you keep them. You can increase the efficiency of the unit by enssuring that the filter is kept clean at all times.
Needless to say, these air conditioning paramteers are not the only ones but they are the main ones so pay attention to them when selectng your unit.