Air conditioning is a wonderful modern invention – there’s no better way to beat the heat than to cool your home down with an air conditioner. It enables you to set the temperature of each room individually which brings comfort on another level. You can also program when your unit comes on so it runs only while you are at home, or to turn on and off at any time per your specification. An air conditioning unit also helps regulate the humidity of your home and has a beneficial impact on the air you breathe. In order to choose the best AC unit for you, though, there are several things you need to take into consideration before making a purchase.
1. Find A Reliable Company
Since there’s such a high demand for AC units, there are a lot of companies that sell them as well. While this is great news if you’re looking to buy one for your home – you can truly pick and choose the perfect one for you, it can also feel overwhelming since there are just so many options. Just like there are specific things to look for in an AC unit, there are also important questions you need to ask yourself when you’re deciding on where to buy it. As the experts from allplant.net.au in WA point out, it’s important that a company that provides you with your AC has staff with the right expertise who have more than enough technical problem-solving capabilities to get it right the first time. While your AC should last without many problems for around 10 years, you don’t want to find yourself in a situation where an issue does occur, and the company you bought it from doesn’t want to or perhaps worse – doesn’t know how to help. Other than that, you should always look for realtors that carry different types of brands so you have a wide range to choose from, and that offer a fair price on their products.
2. House Size
There’s a lot more to the size of your home than just its square footage – and this includes your AC unit. You can’t expect an air conditioner that works perfectly for a studio apartment to also work as well in a larger home, such as one with three stories. What you need is critical thinking on your end when it comes to figuring out what size will work best for your home, and it’s something you should take into consideration as the first step before purchasing any AC unit. Not all ACs have the same power, so the first step is figuring out how many BTUs you will need for your home. A BTU is a standard measurement of how much energy an air conditioner can use to cool your home. Once you know the square footage of each room in your house, add them up and then compare that number to one or more suggested BTUs from AC brands that you’re considering.
3. Temperatures In Your Area
If you live in a place with a moderate climate, an average AC will probably be enough for you. On the other hand, if there are extreme temperatures in your state, you will need a more powerful AC. For example, if you live in a place with extremely high humidity, it will be necessary for you to purchase an AC that has dehumidifying capabilities as well. If this isn’t the case, then you could potentially end up with mold and mildew issues like black mold instead which can be dangerous to inhale. Even though there are some AC units that can do both, make sure to look into the specifics of each brand you’re considering before you buy one.
4. Which Room Needs An AC
Just like the climate is an important factor in choosing an AC, so is the particular room you want to install it in. A room that has a lot of windows will need a more powerful unit since it’s more exposed to outside temperatures. The same goes for rooms that are large or those in which you generally leave the doors open. On the other hand, a smaller room that’s tucked away, won’t need an AC that’s as powerful, since it’s already pretty well insulated. Speaking of which, the insulation of your home is another important aspect. If you have mineral wool or aerogel as insulation, chances are your home doesn’t need as much power as one with walls that have poor insulation, since it’s already pretty well protected from temperature changes.
5. Central AC Or Window Unit?
A central AC is one that’s installed in your home and it cools the entire area. On the other hand, a window unit costs much less, but you’d need to get one for each room you want to cool. Depending on the size of your rooms, a central AC could make a lot more sense financially. However, it’s important to keep in mind that a window unit will be easier to install and it won’t interrupt your home’s exterior design – since you can install it without any problems from the outside. It’s also a good choice for those that only have one problem area in their homes. For example, if one side of your place is surrounded by trees or tall buildings, so it’s usually in shade, you might not need to invest in an AC for rooms on that side if you live in a place that doesn’t see a lot of extremely hot temperatures. On the other hand, if you live somewhere that’s extremely hot all year long, then it might be worth installing an AC that can help cool down your entire home.
6. Filters
There are two kinds of filters – disposable and reusable. As you might have guessed, the former needs to be replaced at certain intervals, while the latter only has to be cleaned. Given how much time it takes to clean an AC unit compared to purchasing a replacement filter for it, most people tend to go with the latter option. There are also different grades of filters. In other words, different kinds of filters are able to filter out different sizes of particles. This is important because you want to keep your family safe from any allergens or other hazardous dust particles that might be floating around in the air. While this step might not seem very important, it can make a huge difference for those who suffer from respiratory issues like asthma. If this is something you’re concerned about, HEPA filters typically offer the best results for most homes.
When it comes to buying an AC, many people are allured by the lowest price. However, this isn’t always the best course of action – especially if you want one that will last for a long time and not cost you more in repairs or replacements. As long as you take a good look at your home, and figure out exactly what you want and need from your AC unit, chances are you’ll end up with one that meets all of your requirements and fits your budget perfectly.
