Air Conditioner Comparison: The Basics
A cool, well air-conditioned home is a good retreat from hot summer days, but it is an expensive one. Before you select an energy efficient A/C system for your home you can do an air conditioner comparison to make sure you get a good one. This air conditioner comparison is important for anyone who is looking for a new air conditioner.
While few things feel nicer than the sensation of stepping into a nice, cool home from a sizzling summer day, air conditioning can be an expensive luxury. Just as there are considerations that can perk up your car's efficiency, there are ways of improving your air conditioning system's energy efficiency as well. Do an air conditioner comparison before buying one.
You have several options to consider when it comes to air conditioners. One type of air conditioner is a room air conditioner. These are great for room cooling as opposed to cooling the whole house. They may be less energy efficient, but they are cheaper to run because they are cooling a smaller area as opposed to a central air system. This is a really good choice if you have a small home or an apartment. However, if you have a large home, you will definitely need a more substantial solution.
Central air systems require a system of ducts so they can pass the cool air throughout the house. There are two different choices for them, which are the split-system and the packaged system. Outdoor metal cabinets house the condenser and compressor of a split-system, while the indoor cabinet is housed in a cabinet inside the home.
The indoor cabinet usually contains a furnace or the indoor part of a heat pump, so this system is the most economical to install in homes that already have furnaces but do not have air conditioners. In the case of a packaged central air conditioner evaporator, condenser and compressor are located in one cabinet. Some contain electric heating coils or natural gas furnaces which remove the need for separate furnaces.
Smaller air conditioning units don't contain the same amount of energy that the larger models do, as you may have already thought, so buying a size that fits into your home suitably will help keep your energy costs to a minimum. Making a few assessments before picking out the size of the unit you will want, like how many windows are in your home, and how big your home is a good idea.
Do you have windows, ceiling and walls with good insulation? Does your house receive adequate shade? How much heat is generated by your appliances? By evaluating your energy requirements, you can make an intelligent choice when it comes time to make your purchase. Home air conditioning units are a good choice as well.
Air conditioner comparison is needed when shopping for a new system. Available options include: room cooling units (less energy-efficient, but cheaper; good for apartments and smaller houses); "split" central air (condenser and compressor installed outside, evaporator inside; indoor cabinets usually also have heating units; most cost-efficient system when heat units, but not home ac units, are already installed); and "packaged" central air (evaporator, condenser, and compressor in one cabinet; may feature electric or natural gas heat units). For lower energy bills, install the system that best meets these factors: square footage to be cooled; number of windows; amount of heat from appliances; amount of insulation; and shade coverage.
Published May 14th, 2008
Filed in Home