Some air conditioners are more energy-efficient than others. Look for air conditioners with an energy star. Most of the Best AC brands prefer giving information about energy stars. The Energy Star means that the product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. In other words, it is more energy-efficient than air conditioners without an Energy Star.
Energy Star models usually are more expensive, but they will not increase your energy bill. So in the long term, it actually saves your money, not to mention that saving energy helps the environment.
How to choose Air Conditioner
What type and size air conditioner you need depends on the size of your room and how well your home is insulated. For each square meter, you usually need about 130 watts of cooling capacity. Each air conditioner model has a different cooling capacity, so you will have to look at its specifications.
High-efficiency A/C units save money on your energy bills.
Quality central air conditioner system will keep your entire house cool, not just one room
Most central units are reversed cycle, meaning that in winter it pumps hot air working as a heater. However, depending on where you live, you may only need a cooling-only or heating-only system.
Why Use Air Conditioner
A good air conditioner can efficiently cool your room no matter how hot it is outside. They also have a dehumidifier function which is very important in hot and humid climates. And if you get a reverse-cycle air conditioner in winter it can serve as a heater, pumping hot air instead of cool.
In very hot weather it becomes difficult to survive without constant central air conditioning but running it all the time is quite expensive.
Types of air conditioners
Portable Air Conditioner
A portable air conditioner is effective in cooling a room of up to about 20 square meters. You can plug it into a normal PowerPoint and move it around the room. Portable room air conditioners are convenient because they don’t require any installation. On the downside, they are more expensive than window models.
Window Air Conditioner
A window air conditioner is the most popular type of air conditioner and is installed in a window or external wall. It usually has a higher cooling capacity than portable models and can cool rooms of up to 50 square meters.
Split Air Conditioner
A split air conditioner system consists of a unit that’s installed outside and one or more indoor air outlets. This type can cool several rooms at the same time. Check out for the top 10 best Split AC to have more options while buying.
Ductless Air Conditioner
A ductless air conditioner is another name for a mini-split air conditioner system. Ductless air conditioning is less noisy and more efficient than the window ones.
Central Air Conditioner
The central air conditioner works from a central location to distribute conditioned air throughout a house. Central air conditioners are the most expensive ones, but they are also the most energy-efficient. Another advantage is that it cools all rooms in your house instead of just one room where a window or portable unit is installed.
Why are Portable Air Conditioners useful?
Portable air conditioners can be the answer to this problem. It can be moved from one place in the home to another which makes a portable room air conditioner an ideal cooling solution for your home.
The cost of portable air conditioners has recently gone down, so most of them are quite affordable. Also, modern portable A/C has a high energy efficiency rating comparable to air conditioners produced even a couple of years ago. So if your central or window air conditioner is old, you will save a lot by purchasing and running a mobile air conditioner instead.
Advantages:
- you can move portable air conditioner around and position it close to yourself
- It cools only one room at a time, so you save a lot on energy
- No need to cut holes in your wall or block your window
- It doesn’t take much room in your home
- You can use it in a place you rent since no installation is needed
Disadvantages:
- A portable air conditioner is noisier than central or split system A/C
- Portable A/C costs about 20% more than a window unit with the same cooling capacity