What Type Of Air Conditioner Is Right For My Home?
Perfect Air Conditioner For Your Home
Keeping your home cool during hot weather can be an extremely difficult task. Without an air conditioner, you’ll have to rely on open windows which, for many reasons, isn’t always suitable. Even if you only experience a few days of intense heat per year, an air conditioner is essential for your home, you just have to find the right one.
Why Do You Need An Air Conditioner?
The majority of people who don’t own an air conditioner put this down to the belief that they simply don’t need one. But with warmer summers and generally warmer weather all year round, the demand is gradually increasing. Air conditioners are especially important in houses with sunrooms or conservatories where the temperature can increase dramatically due to the glass walls and roof.
But they’re also important for various health reasons. For example, vulnerable groups (e.g babies and the elderly) are at greater risk of health problems in warmer weather. Babies in particular require a space lower than 20° celsius in order to obtain an optimum sleeping environment. While adults can sleep in warmer temperatures, it can often be a struggle, especially if the air is humid or uncomfortably warm. Having an air conditioner is a simple and effective way to ensure you get a good rest during those warmer nights.
Now let’s take a look at some of the most popular types of air conditioners to find the perfect one for you.
Portable Air Conditioner
Possibly the most common type, the portable air conditioner is an ideal device for first-time buyers in the AC marketplace. Their popularity is, at least in part, down to the lower cost compared to other AC units and also its portability. As the unit can be moved between rooms as desired, its portability is a distinguishing feature that makes it ideal for many homeowners.
Through Wall Air Conditioner
Through wall air conditioners work exactly as you’d imagine, they replace a section of your wall so the front of the unit faces indoors and the back faces outdoors. These are similar to a window air conditioner but don’t take up precious window space or obstruct views. Both the through wall and window AC units circulate air between indoors and outdoors to lower the room temperature of the room in which they are installed.
Smart Air Conditioners
Smart air conditioners are essentially an AC unit with a WiFi radio which allows it to connect to and be controlled by an app. Alternatively, some traditional AC units can be equipped with a device that turns it into a smart air conditioner, meaning you don’t have to worry about replacing your existing unit. Upgrading your AC unit to a smart air conditioner is essential if you want complete control of your device no matter where you are. Just imagine setting the temperature from your phone before you arrive home from work, meaning it’s already cool when you arrive, isn’t that the dream?
Mini Split Air Conditioner
Also known as ductless split systems, mini split air conditioners are ideal for homes where ductwork or large, obtrusive units are undesirable. In particular, these units are popular in older homes where building regulations may prevent the use of AC units where ductwork is necessary. Mini split air conditioners work by pumping warm or cool air indoors or outdoors depending on the desired temperature. The AC unit can be used in up to four zones in one property as it uses thin piping (3”-4” diameter) to alter the temperature of each room separately, making it cost-efficient and practical too.
Things to consider
This overview of air conditioners has shown some of the most popular types you should consider. If you need to cool multiple rooms in your home then a portable or mini split air conditioner is perfect. Or, if you just need one room to be cool then a through wall or window AC unit might be more ideal. But there are even more options to keep in mind.
Some AC units offer night mode (or sleep mode) which keeps the device running quietly throughout the night, ensuring you stay cool and undisturbed during your sleep. This is an important consideration as some units can be noisy and make it difficult to sleep without a designated sleep mode.
You’ll also have to think about upfront and usage costs. It goes without saying that larger AC units requiring specialist installation will cost more for the unit itself and for the installation process. Running costs of an AC unit can also rack up quickly if they become overused. It’s important to ensure your AC unit is powerful enough for the space you use it in, this keeps it running at optimum condition and reduces costs of overuse.
An air conditioner is an ideal addition to any house, even if hot spells don’t happen often. No matter when the hot weather hits, with an AC unit you can be comfortable and sleep well thanks to a cool breeze all day and night long.
Sources:
- Types of Air Conditioners – EGEE 102
- Types of Cooling Systems – Smarter House