How To Choose An Energy Efficient Air Conditioner
Until specialists agree (or not) we are truly coping with a global warming phenomenon, there is one thing we are definitely sure about: air conditioning is part of our lives now and won’t leave them anytime soon. At home, office or in the car the cool air awakens us in all sense and makes us more dynamic. There’s always a negative side of the story, but with a bit of attention we can avoid the unpleasant situations in which air conditioning affects our health. Technology evolves and the latest devices are now friendlier with our sinuses.
First of all, choose a reliable brand with proven expertise and quality. Of course, the quality/price ratio is also a decision which rests with us and the money we have in our pockets, but bear in mind a reliable brand most probably means a longer life for the device and, in exceptional circumstances, a better repair service. Ask for recommendations from friends and relatives and do not hesitate to read customers’ and product reviews online because you may find some information here useful.
Secondly, size does matter when choosing an air conditioner, so it’s important to get a unit with the cooling capacity to handle the room where it will be installed. A unit that is too small may not be able to cool a space efficiently, while an oversized air conditioner in too small a space will cycle on and off, wasting energy and decreasing the unit’s ability to adequately dehumidify the room. Look at the Btu rating, in general between 5,000 and over 20,000 depending on the size of the room. Thus, for a 10 to 25 square meters room (bedrooms) it is recommended a 9,000 Btu capacity air conditioner while for rooms spreading on 15 to 35 square meters (living rooms, dining rooms) a 12,000 Btu capacity devices is suitable.
Then check the EER – energy efficiency ratio, very important since the device needs a lot of electricity to work anyway. The EER also indicates the unit’s impact on the environment. The higher the EER, the fewer the greenhouse emissions. A rating of 10 or higher will produce the most in energy savings, though these models are likely to cost a little more. For instance, the devices listed in the A or A+ energy class consume up to 40 % less energy than those in the C or D class. At the same time, the units with the inverter technology generate about 30 % savings in operational costs than the regular technology using devices.
