Air Conditioner Buying Guide

With the shooting up temperatures in summer, air conditioners are the best way to keep your cool.
Planning to buy an air conditioner? Not sure how to get started?

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Read on to discover how.....

AIR CONDITIONERS

There are two main types of air conditioners to choose from:

1. Split air conditioners: A split air conditioner is useful for temperature control throughout the year i.e. both through winter and the summer months. It can be installed and used all round the year. The benefit of a split AC is that it can be used to cool a room in the hot summers as well as to heat a room in the chilling winters. Split air conditioners are not simply a seasonal investment. The size of the air conditioning unit is small in comparison to the other traditional air conditioners.

2. Window air conditioners: Window air conditioner is efficient in cooling small spaces. It is useful in cooling the room temperatures. Unlike the split air conditioners, it cannot heat the rooms in winters. As the name suggests, it is installed in the window of the room. The main criterion before purchasing a window air conditioner is to match the size of your window to the size of the air conditioner.

Key factors to consider before purchasing an air conditioner:

Size: The size of the room is an important factor to determine the size of the air conditioner you should purchase. The dimensions of the air conditioner should be those that suit and fit your room. In case of a window air conditioner the size has to match that of the window.

The distance of the room from the kitchen is again an important factor that decides the size of the unit. A lot of heat is emitted from the kitchen when you cook. The smaller the distance between the room and the kitchen, the larger should be the cooling capacity of the AC.

Cooling Capacity: The higher the BTU (British Thermal Units) count of the air conditioner the better will be the cooling capacity of the air conditioner. The cooling capacity is the ability to keep the room cool. A unit with high BTU can keep you cool even in extreme heat.

Noise: Generally indoor units that do not produce much noise are preferred. In case of outdoor unit care should be taken to ensure that it is well packed so that it does not create a racket with its loose vibrating covers.

Energy Efficiency Rating: The ratio of air conditioner's cooling capacity to its power consumption is the unit's (EER). A system with higher unit is better for both you and your environment. Though these models are expensive, they save money in the long run by consuming less energy.

Filters: The filters in split air conditioners make the air passing through it clean and fresh. They prevent the bacteria and allergens from entering into the room. However filters have to be maintained properly to keep performing well. Therefore you should choose unit with indicators that indicates when it is time to change the filter.

Thermostat: This is considered in the case of window ac. This is responsible for the temperature of the air coming out of the unit. This is programmable or manual. AC units with remote controls are better since they offer more comfort and other controls like auto timer, digital display, etc.

Fan: A variable speed fan is preferred since that gives better cooling. Units with louvers that adjust up/down and right/left are more user friendly and helps give uniform cooling.

Chassis: The chassis in window air conditioners are available in fixed and slide out types. Small units that are light in weight have fixed chassis, since it is easy to move them for winterization. Larger, heavier models have slide out chassis, this makes the unit slide out easily for maintenance.

Price: Without going by the popular belief that the higher the price, the better is the product, customers should take care to narrow down on the appropriate air conditioner by looking at the product design, quality and its performance. You need to take into consideration, the features and the size. Finally you should also take into consideration the cost of installation.

Warranty: Warranty of the air conditioner is an important factor to be considered before making a purchase.

Air Conditioner Buying Guide

AIR CONDITIONERS

Portable Car Air Conditioner

Portable air conditioners (ACs) are available in two main types -- one based on refrigerant technology and the other on evaporative technology. While the former is more suitable for cooling room floors, the latter is widely used in non-AC cars. When it comes to saving energy, the portable ACs used in vehicles are found to be far more efficient than those used in rooms. They have a simple configuration, featuring a blower fan, an in-built heat exchanger, cover for insulation, outlet openings, and an inlet pipe.

air conditioners portable

The air in the car is cooled and humidified by the AC by relocating the developed heat into a water reservoir. This entire operation is carried out using the in-built power converter of 12 volts. Although venting need not be done for the handy car ACs, their reservoir must be refilled on a regular basis to ensure proper functioning for a longer time.

AIR CONDITIONERS

Some extra features that you may like to check out when purchasing portable air-conditioner for your car include the performance and state of dehumidifiers and purification filters. While the former maintains the normal humidity level of 45% within the car, the latter filters out all the harmful particles and germs from the air that you get to breathe when inside the car. As a wide range of brands and models are now available in the market, you must do a little research on the various available models and shop around to get the best product for your car at the best price.

This type of car air conditioners has numerous advantages. Unlike the window ACs for rooms, they are user-friendly and do not vibrate or create noise. However, the biggest advantage of these ACs is that they are movable and can be carried anywhere when the car is not in use. For instance, they may be used for freshening and cooling a small living room area or the bed room. Thus, if you purchase one for your car, you need not worry about AC installation in each room of your house.

Portable Car Air Conditioner

AIR CONDITIONERS

Casement Windows and Double-Hung Windows: Which Is Better?

Many habitancy have been trying to conclude which is the great of the two - casement window, or double-hung window? Find out what are their benefits and drawbacks so you can make that comparison.

There are numerous benefits of these windows due to the make of the window. First of all, as it opens at its hinges, it can open widely and fully. This makes it inherent to have a full view of the scene beyond the wall, so if you like some privacy yet enjoy being able to view the outside, casement windows make a great choice. Also, you can get more light into the house as well since there is no obstacle in the way when it is wide open. Apart from that, because the window opens wide, wind can honestly flow into the house, development the area very well ventilated. Furthermore, the angle of the sash when opened is able to redirect wind to enter the house. Casement windows are also much more airtight than double-hung windows, so it helps to keep a room insulated.

CASEMENT WINDOW AIR CONDITIONERS

When it comes to the drawbacks of windows, the tasteless problems habitancy face is the fact that the window sticks out, so if they are on the ground floor and there is a tight walkway there, it can be quite bothersome. Other than that, older versions are more difficult to clean the covering part of the window unlike newer ones that allows the glass to flip.

The benefits of windows are mostly the disadvantages of double-hung windows. Because double-hung windows cannot open up fully, only petite wind and light can enter the house. It is also not as airtight as casement windows, especially if it does not have the weather-stripping feature like in newer models. So when it comes to holding the room insulated, it does a poor job at it. Hence, air conditioners and heaters would have to work extra to keep the room cool or warm.

On the other hand, there are a any benefits of double-hung windows too. For one, if the window is located on the ground floor facing a narrow walkway, the fact that it slides up and down instead of open outwards allows habitancy to walk comfortably. Where style is concerned, it is also more versatile in appearance to adapt with most styles. They can also keep the room well-insulated, although not as well as casement windows.

So if inspecting between the two options, casement windows tend to be a great option in conserving energy. However, do note that newer models of both windows contribute great energy recovery features.

Casement Windows and Double-Hung Windows: Which Is Better?

CASEMENT WINDOW AIR CONDITIONERS

Casement Air Conditioner Guide

A casement air conditioner is a window unit designed for narrow windows that swing outwards or slide over rather than those others that slide up and down. It is normally good for a small room to large one that measures up to 500 quadrilateral feet. This kind of air conditioner is a contained unit and all the mechanism is housed in one large compartment.

The slider or casement style has the capacity of 8,000 and 12,000-Btu cooling a room. Modern units have the energy-efficiency ratings of nine or higher that make you save more vigor and sleep modes than the old units, recovery a big bunk over your electric bill.

CASEMENT WINDOW AIR CONDITIONERS

It promises you low cost and doesn't oblige you much fuss over wiring. It is also easy to install. But the downside on this kind of unit is that the unit must be removed from time to time especially while winter season as it makes the engine a petite bit drafty.

A lot of casement air conditioner nowadays comes with electric operate over the older units. It allows you much accuracy over the temperature setting, also, new mass of features are also installed not offered from old analog units. It can also be sufficient to those who are lazy sufficient to stand and change the temperature with its remote operate capabilities.

Aside from the full function remote control, someone else feature is the fully variable speed fan that allows a best temperature operate than the old 2-4 speed fans. someone else thing to be look upon is the four-way air direction that cools up the room evenly and not just the area adjacent to the unit.

Casement units are best utilize on one rooms but be sure to check that the size of the rooms meet up with the capacity of the unit. If the unit is too big, it will cool the room swiftly and will switch on and off constantly, using more vigor than necessary. 

Not that it can only lead a damaged unit in the end but it will also make the air in the room damp and clammy because the air conditioner will not be able to remove the excess humidity in the room. But if the room is too small, the unit will continually run without admittedly cooling the room. That is why it is very important to quantum the room that will suit the casement air conditioner of your choice.

There is also some casement air conditioner cooling that can heat up the room, which of course, requires a much high-priced price. If you have a one large room to cool up, best have this unit since it is economy than getting a central air conditioner unit in terms of price and electric billing. There are wide variety manufacturing enterprise that does this kind of unit such as FrigidAire, Freidrich, Kenmore, Haeir, Lg and Ge. Look for units with anti microbial technology that uses mesh filters. These filters keep the air in your room free from particles and microbes, which is the main concern for those habitancy who have high allergy tendencies.

Casement Air Conditioner Guide

CASEMENT WINDOW AIR CONDITIONERS

The Complete Air Conditioner Maintenance Guide

Without air conditioning, it can be next to impossible to live in some areas as they are just too hot and it is for this reason that everyone should go out of their way to maintain their air conditioner. Most people have put the fall and spring as the best times for air conditioner maintenance and if one gets into the habit of maintaining their air conditioner they will be able to look and see if there is any problem that will have them call in the experts. Maintaining the AC is also very important as it helps to avoid any damages that can be done to the functional parts as a result of neglect. This often helps the owner to save money as they will not have to buy any replacement parts whose function could be wanting because of lack of care and attention. There is also the peace that comes with knowing that the air conditioner is trouble free and that is reason enough to maintain it regularly. Preventative checking of air conditioners can either be done by their user or they could hire a company to do it for them.

air conditioners window units

The filter is one part of the Air conditioning unit that many people forget as they go about maintaining the equipment. The filter should regularly be changed after checking. For heat pump systems that run both heating and conditioning the changing should be done around twelve times every year. On the other hand if the AC systems are just for heating or air conditioning then its changing should be done in the months when it is being used. When performing air conditioner maintenance it should also be noted that there are different kinds of filters and this is in terms of materials and size. While it is possible to re-use some, others should just be thrown away.

AIR CONDITIONERS

Another very important part of the air conditioner that should not be left out in air conditioner maintenance is the thermostat. The latter usually entails cooling and heating settings and as part of its maintenance one should ensure that it is well set for the season. Taking it to a professional will also help in letting the person whether it has the correct temperature as well. There are people who are known to use their AC's condensing unit as their storage shelf. This is not right as these things can cause damage to the conditioner. Any debris or leaves that have been caught in or around the AC unit should be cleared away as well. The air conditioner should also he turned on before it is needed just to make sure that it is working as it should. In case there is no cool air being produced, the owner should take it to be having a problem such as not having enough Freon which can mean that the system is leaking. Professionals usually know how to identify and seal the leaks. Regular maintenance of AC's are quite necessary as they can go a long way into preventing bigger problems.

The Complete Air Conditioner Maintenance Guide

AIR CONDITIONERS

Air Conditioner Covers

Covers are used to protect air conditioners from unfavorable weather conditions such as condensation, dew, cold drafts, extreme heat, etc. They also keep dust and small insects away from the body of the air conditioner and its different components.

air conditioners window units

Dust Covers are made of synthetic material such as vinyl, plastics, terylene or Dacron. They are washable and are fastened and unfastened on the air conditioner by plastic zippers or Velcro fasteners. These Covers can be used to cover the entire body of the air conditioner, except the region which contains the duct and the button controls. They are available in a large number of sizes and colors. Mostly they are made in standard air conditioner sizes and can be bought directly from the shops. Some companies also manufacture Custom Covers after taking specifications from the ordering company.

AIR CONDITIONERS

Weatherizing Covers are more detailed in their design. These Covers are made of special plastics, such as polyurethane, or metals, and they can be fitted on the air conditioner. Most of these Covers have direct attachments with the front and back faces of the air conditioners. Others can be attached on the air conditioner using duct tape, caulk or mess. These Covers pack not only the air conditioner, but even the tiny gaps around it so as to prevent any cold drafts from entering inside the room. Some better-quality Covers can also absorb the vibration of the air conditioner, and reduce the noise it creates.

Portable air conditioners use Covers that envelop them completely. Zippers running through their entire length on one of the edges can secure them over the air conditioner's body. These are made of synthetic plastics and are available in most colors and sizes.

Some Covers are also available in aesthetic designs for use in living room air conditioners. There are lace Covers and Covers with various designs and patterns on them. More than protection, these Covers aim at rendering beauty to the room by disguising the air conditioner.

Simple Dust Covers are available at less than . But custom-designed Covers and Weatherizing Covers may cost much higher depending on the specifications required.

Air Conditioner Covers

AIR CONDITIONERS

Air Conditioner Won't Turn On?

If you're having trouble with your central air conditioner turning on automatically please go through the following steps.

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1) Set the thermostat to "cool." Check that the displayed set temperature is well below the current temperature or the real temperature of the room.

AIR CONDITIONERS

2) Your central air conditioner should have its own dedicated 240-volt circuit. Locate the main electrical box (or panel) usually located on one of interior garage walls. Check for a tripped breaker or a blown fuse. If the air conditioner breaker is tripped or blown, reset or replace the fuse.

3) Check that the furnace power switch is in the on position. Next, look for a switch mounted on the outdoor unit. This is the condenser's on/off switch. Make sure that it's off. Now, make sure the 240-volt which is next to the compressor (it should be in a metal box typically located on the exterior house wall adjacent to the unit) is still on.

4) Make sure the power to the air conditioner is off. Now, check the thermostat. Take off the outside housing on the thermostat. Unscrew the Y terminal wire and turn the power back on.

5) Now we perform the tests. Grab the wire by its rubber covering. Do not touch the metal with your fingers. Take the metal exposed portion of the Y wire and hold it to the R terminal for a couple minutes. If the compressor turns on, you have a faulty thermostat. Call a technician. If the compressor does not kick on, turn the power off and call a technician.

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Air Conditioner Won't Turn On?

AIR CONDITIONERS