These Are The Features To Look For When Buying An Air conditioner

When summer rolls around, there's only one way to keep the home cool without breaking into a sweat: turning on the air conditioner. Technology has made it so that AC units now come in many different types—a quick stroll down the appliance store aisle will reveal an array of brands, sizes and price tags. Before you get lost in the confusion, here are a few tips on picking the AC that's right for your needs and perfect for your window type: 

IMAGE Jilson Tiu

Features

You should expect the unit to have an adjustable thermostat, at least two cooling speeds, two fan speeds and an energy efficient rating. The AC should have an adjustable vent, which allows you to direct the cool air wherever you want it to go, and a filter that's easily accessible for removal and cleaning. You may also want to check the unit's noise level, the manufacturer's warranty against defects, and after-sales service. 

Energy Efficiency Ratio

Also known as the EER rating, this is printed on a yellow sticker at the back of the AC. The higher the number, the more efficient it is and the lower your electric bill. 

IMAGE Michael Angelo Chua

Cooling Capacity

Aircon units usually reflect this in their BTU/hour (British Thermal Units per hour) rating. The higher the number, the more powerful the AC. Room size isn't the only thing to consider when choosing AC capacity. These are the other factors that can affect your choice:

• Number and size of windows, with more and bigger windows meaning you get more heat from the sun
• Number of people using the room
• Room insulation and location: it takes less power to cool a well-insulated room than one that is not insulated, or that is located directly under a hot roof 
• Number of appliances inside the room

It's important to get the capacity as accurate as you can. Too small unit, and it may not be able to cool the room on a hot day. Too large and it will cost more to operate, cool the room too quickly and leave excess humidity in the air. 

A part of the material for this article is orginally from the March-April 2004 issue of Real Living Magazine. Download your digital copy of Real Living on the Real Living App. Log on to summitnewsstand.com.ph/real-living for more details.