Are you planning to install an Air Conditioning system for your home? With the temperatures soaring, air conditioning has become an integral aspect of a comfortable home in modern times. According to a survey, three out of four Australian homes depend on air conditioning. Building air-conditioning usage contributes to 40% of household energy consumption in Australia.
While air conditioners have become a necessity in our lives, the investment decision must be backed up by considerable research into choosing the right system for your home. Here are some points to consider before buying an AC for your home.
Select the right type of AC for your home
With so many types of air conditioning systems available in the market, it can be quite confusing to select the one that’s a perfect fit.
There are split and multi-split systems that can quietly cool a single or multiple rooms but involve a big upfront expense. Then there are the budget-friendly wall or window mount smaller units that do not cost much initially but can burn a hole in your pocket with energy bills. Smaller than the mounted systems are portable air conditioners that don’t require any installation but can be very noisy and ineffective in larger spaces. More efficient, large-scale, and permanent versions are the ducted systems that can cool your entire house at a high initial investment but comparatively lower operating cost.
Decide if you need both heating and cooling features
Split and ducted air conditioning systems work on the reverse-cycle principle, cooling your home during summers and heating it during winters. While choosing the right air conditioner for your home, consider the climate of your region. Do you need heating during the winters or is it just cooling that you are looking at? Your decision will have an impact on your pocket.
Determine the required size and power
An air conditioner that is oversized for your room will waste energy while an undersized one will be ineffective in maintaining optimum temperature. You can consult an air conditioner expert to suggest the most appropriate air conditioner size for your space. Other factors that affect air conditioner choice are insulation of the walls and ceiling, the size of windows, open spaces, coastal homes, or homes in the suburbs or cities.
Check the energy efficiency
A very important point to consider while choosing your air conditioner is how energy efficient the system is. Air conditioners are energy star-rated for energy efficiency wherein 6 or fewer stars indicate low energy rating and 7+ stars means higher energy efficiency. Lower star-rated systems may have a lower price tag but will consume more energy to cool your home. On the contrary, a higher-rated air conditioning system will save considerable energy dollars.
Think about the noise
Noise emitted by a running air conditioner is something that you need to consider before finalising an appliance. Not only local councils have strict noise pollution restrictions in place for air conditioners, you certainly wouldn’t like to disturb your neighbours with a noisy outdoor unit of your air conditioning system or have your normal conversation and sleep disrupted by the high fan speed of your air conditioner.
In a nutshell, choose an air conditioner based on the size and layout of the space that you intend to cool, the initial investment and the operational cost, energy efficiency ratings, your local weather, and features like design, noise, and air quality control. Besides, going with a well-known brand can assure you a smooth after-sales service.
If you need more help or customised advice on choosing the right AC unit for your home, you should consider talking to experts like ActronAir.
