Air Conditioner Comparison: A Primer
Having an air-conditioned home is like having an oasis on a sweltering summer day but it is also a costly comfort. Before you choose an energy efficient cooling system, you should perform the air conditioner comparison in order to ensure you purchase the best system. Doing comparison shopping is a necessity when you're in the market for air conditioning.
Air conditioning is a wonderful invention that's much appreciated during the hot summertime, but it can also be a huge expense if you're not careful. You can do an air conditioner comparison before buying a new air conditioner. Your new air conditioner's energy efficiency is just as important as the energy efficiency you would expect to obtain from an automobile.
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 send the cool air through a ducting system. They come in two different system varieties: the split-system and the packaged system. Split-system units are those that utilize an outdoor metal cabinet that contains the condenser and compressor, while an indoor cabinet holds the evaporator.
The indoor cabinet commonly has the indoor portion of a heat pump or a furnace, making this system the most economical choice to install in homes that already have furnaces but not central air conditioning. For a packaged central air conditioner evaporator, condenser and compressor are all in one cabinet. Some of them also include electric heating coils or natural gas furnaces which eliminate the need for a separate furnace.
It makes sense that larger air conditioners require more energy than smaller ones so you need to select one that suits the size of your home in order to keep your energy bills down. Before you choose the size of your air conditioner, try to evaluate things like the size of your house and how many windows it has.
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