Buying the Air Condition for a Family Home? Here Are 4 Buying Tips
Your home must be comfortable all year round, which means having a great air conditioner.
The gadget works by circulating and cooling air in the room or building, providing a comfortable environment. However, if you’re in the market for a new air conditioner, it’s essential to know what to look for.
Here are four tips to help you buy the right air conditioner for your family home.
- Capacity of Cooling
One of the first things you’ll want to consider when purchasing an air conditioner is the unit’s efficiency in cooling. This is particularly important if you live in a large home or your region experiences scorching weather. The cooling capacity of an air conditioner is measured in BTUs or British Thermal Units.
The general rule is that you’ll need about 20 BTUs per square foot of living space. So, if your home is 1,000 square feet, you’ll need an air conditioner with a cooling capacity of at least 20,000 BTUs.
You aim to find an air conditioner that will cool your home quickly and efficiently without breaking the bank. Always target the top dealerships in the market. When looking for split system air conditioners, it is best to ensure you see a SEER rating.
This stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and measures how much energy an air conditioner uses. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the unit is. It would be best if you aimed for an air conditioner with a SEER rating of at least 13.
- Is It Energy-Saving?
You’ll also want to consider how energy efficient the air conditioner is. After all, no one wants their electricity bills to skyrocket during summer.
The good news is that most air conditioners today are pretty energy efficient. The government has even set minimum standards that manufacturers must meet.
You can further increase the efficiency of your air conditioner by placing it in the shade and ensuring there’s good airflow around the unit. Also, be sure to clean or replace the filter regularly. A dirty filter will make your air conditioner work harder and use more energy.
In connection to this, look at the noise level. If you have young children or light sleepers in your family, you’ll want to pay attention to the noise level of the air conditioner.
Some units can be pretty loud, making it difficult to sleep or concentrate. You can find the decibel rating of an air conditioner in the product description.
Aim for a unit with a noise level of around 50 decibels or less. When buying online, be sure to read customer reviews. People are usually quick to mention if an air conditioner is too loud. Besides, you can always visit a store and ask to see the unit in action.
- Factor in the Cost
As with any significant purchase, you’ll want to pay attention to the buying price of the air conditioner. Be sure to factor in the cost of installation as well. You may be able to save some money by installing the unit yourself, but it’s usually best to leave this task to the professionals.
Shopping with a budget in mind will make it easier to narrow down your choices. Once you’ve determined how much you’re willing to spend, you can focus on finding an air conditioner with the features and performance you need.
However, don’t sacrifice quality to save a few dollars. Buying the most energy-efficient and powerful air conditioner, you can afford is best. Your overall contentment and satisfaction will be much higher in the long run.
- Check the Portability
If you don’t have central air conditioning in your home, or if you want to move the unit from one room to another, you’ll need an air conditioner that’s easy to move. Portable air conditioners come with caster wheels and handle, making them easy to move around.
Keep in mind that portable air conditioners require proper ventilation. Most units come with a window venting kit, but you may need to buy one separately. Be sure to read the instructions carefully before installing the unit. You’ll also want to ensure that the window is big enough to accommodate the exhaust hose.
When choosing a portable air conditioner, consider the unit’s BTU rating. A higher BTU rating means that the unit can cool a larger space. You’ll also want to ensure that the unit has multiple fan speeds and a timer. These features will give you more control over the temperature in your home.
Selecting the right air conditioner for your family home can be a challenge. There are so many different factors to consider.
However, if you take the time to do your research, you should be able to find an air conditioner that’s perfect for your needs. Pay attention to the unit’s energy efficiency, noise level, and cost.