Air Conditioner Buying Guide
1. How much power do you need?
When buying air conditioners, your first consideration is likely to be how powerful the device needs to be to adequately cool your home. Air conditioner capacity is rated by BTU (British Thermal Unit) and power output in kilowatts. Buying the right size unit is very important as air conditioners that are too big will use more energy, while under-sized ones will not cool the room sufficiently. As a rough guide, 80 watts of power per square metre should be enough for bedrooms, while living rooms may require around 125 watts per square metre. So for a living room measuring 30 square metres a unit of approximately 3.75kW will be needed.
2. Types of Air Conditioners
Split System
These air conditioners are made up of two parts, with one attached to the internal wall of your home, while the other sits on the outside to exhaust heat out. These are low cost to install and with separate units for each room they provide flexibility.
Reverse System
A reverse system refers to air conditioners that provide a cooling and heating function. The obvious benefit is that they are also useful during the winter months.
Inverter System
Air conditioners with inverters are able to vary the temperature of the air they produce, rather than stopping and starting. They are often quieter, cheaper to run and achieve the desired room temperature more quickly – although they are more expensive.
Multi System
Multi-split air conditioners connect multiple indoor units to a single outdoor condenser. They require less ductwork, but a single control station operates the whole system, meaning individual room temperatures are not possible. For more information on how to choose air conditioning for your home.
3. What sort of extra features do you need?
Air conditioners with more features tend to be more expensive, but here is a list of common extras that are available:
Remote control
Timer
Sleep timer
Dehumidifier
Reverse cycle for heating
Slide-out chassis for easier installation
Mosquito traps
Air filter to remove odours, smoke and germs
4. Energy Efficiency
Air conditioners are rated on their energy efficiency using a ten-star scale, with more stars meaning the unit is better for the environment. For units with cooling and heating functions, separate ratings are given for each. Inverter air conditioners are more energy efficient due to their ability to regulate temperature without starting or stopping.
5. Choose a professional installer
Installing an air conditioner is very technical and involves many processes. In Australia, you will need to hire a licensed professional to install and service your new air conditioning system. These air conditioner installation experts have had relevant training and are licensed to handle refrigerants. Air conditioner installers must have one of two licenses issued by the Australian Refrigeration Council – either a Full Refrigeration and Air conditioning (RAC) License or a restricted ‘splits’ license. Air conditioners often include manufacturer’s warranties, so to ensure you’re covered under the warranty if something goes wrong, professional installation is a mandatory.
