Choosing the right air conditioning unit can be extremely difficult. On top of hundreds of companies trying to sell you what is considered to be “the best” one out there, there are so many different types to choose from. If you’re struggling to determine which one is suitable for your home, here are our top tips on how to choose an air conditioner.
Why Do I Need An Air Conditioning Unit?
Air conditioners are important appliances in any Australian home. Whilst they don’t always look appealing, they offer a number of benefits all year round.
Not only do these units keep your house cool during the hotter months, but they will also circulate clean, fresh air into your rooms, ridding them of any impurities too, which is great for people with asthma and allergies. However, A/Cs can be pricey, so making sure that you’re investing in the right unit is important. Here are a few of the unit types we can offer you.
Split Air Conditioning
Split air conditioning units are the most popular option, and it’s not hard to see why. Their ease of use, alongside their low running costs, make them one of the best investments for homeowners looking to buy on a budget.
The system itself is made up of two units – the first is located inside the room and absorbs the heat from the indoor air, cooling it down and then pushing it back into the room through the fan. The second unit is located outside and is responsible for expelling the heat from the indoor unit. It also sends cooled refrigerant back to the indoor unit to start the cycle over again.
The only downside to split A/Cs is that they can’t cool your entire home – they’re designed to cool the room that the indoor unit is installed in.
Multi-split Systems
If you’re wanting an A/C that works like a split system but covers more areas in your home, then a multi-split system might be the right one for you. This is a cluster of units, installed in lots of different rooms, which are all attached to one large outdoor unit. Although pricier, this is a better option for those who want to keep more than one room cool.
Ducted Cooling Systems
Similar in nature to multi-split systems, ducted cooling systems work by channelling cool air through a series of ducts in your home. But one of their biggest benefits is that they allow you to control the temperature in individual rooms.
However, although they are discrete and very energy efficient, these air conditioning units are expensive to install, so they won’t be suitable for everyone. Plus, most of the components are concealed in the roof space, which your home may not be able to support. It’s best to get an assessment before deciding on this type of system.
Wall And Window Units
These older systems were once the most popular on the market, but they have since become less common due to modern systems being more effective and efficient. However, this doesn’t mean that these are bad options for your home.
With this type of A/C, a hole is made in your window or wall to house a small unit, which circulates air through the room. They work perfectly well for anyone with a small budget and were previously very common in high-rise apartment buildings.
Choosing The Right Size A/C
Once you’ve decided on the right type of air conditioning system, the next step is to determine the right size unit for your needs. Generally speaking, you will need about 1.25 – 1.7 kilowatts of power for every 10 square metres if you have a standard ceiling height.
If you’re ready to buy your next air conditioner, contact us at Mackie Electric & Refrigeration by calling us on (02) 6552 2377 today.
