Air conditioners are an extremely important commodity in the modern age. With the rise in global warming, the need for AC’s has skyrocketed over the past few years. According to surveys, almost 13% of the annual electricity consumption by a house is used for air conditioning.

At a time when air conditioners have become a daily necessity, it is important that you choose your product wisely. There are many things to consider before buying an air conditioner and there is also a wide range of models to choose from.

Things to consider before buying an air conditioner

Noise and energy savings are two of the primary things to consider while purchasing an air conditioning unit. Most good air conditioners make nothing but a light hum, which is the sound of its internal fan. However, there are models which make a certain kind of low noise while running. This may disturb light sleepers and pets.

Energy saving is a very important part of an air conditioner as it will keep your electricity costs low, thereby giving you returns on your expenditure.

Another important thing to keep in mind is the placement and the installation of the AC. Most common ACs blow air in a unidirectional way and need to be fitted on to a window. If your window is not placed centrally, your room won’t be cooled in a proper way and you need to look for ACs that have swiveling fan arms.

The installation of air conditioners can be tricky. Many of them have different fitting needs; so it is best to make sure that your room fits the needs of the air conditioner before buying it. Another point to keep in mind while installing an air conditioner is the filter. The filter of any common AC needs to be cleaned from time to time; so make sure that after the installation, the filter is within an arm’s reach and can be cleaned without any hassle.

The latest models come with a lot of added features such as intelligent cooling and can even be connected and controlled by your smartphone. So, make sure to check for all the additional features and also the warranty period before buying an air conditioner.

Types of air conditioners

There are primarily three types of air conditioners – window, portable, and split ductless.

Window air conditioners

These are available in three sizes – small, medium, and large – meant to fit any size of homes. The cooling capacity ranges from 100-300 sq ft, 250-400 sq ft to 350-650 sq ft respectively. The medium and larger models are relatively tougher to remove in case they need to be stored away during winters. The price range can be anywhere from $100 to $500 for these air conditioners.

Portable air conditioners

Portable air conditioners are best-fitted for homes that do not have centralized windows or other necessary arrangements for installing window ACs. They are available at prices ranging from $300 to $600 and are very easy to maneuver as they come fitted with wheels underneath. However, these air conditioners use up more energy than window ones of the same size and capacity.

Split ductless air conditioners

While these are costlier than most common air conditioning units, they are highly useful when more than one room is in need of cooling, and they are definitely cheaper than central air conditioners. These do not require opening up of walls or installing ductwork for cooling multiple rooms. However, if you are looking to cool your entire house, then central AC is your best option. Split ductless air conditioners cost above $1000.

Hopefully, after reading this article, you have an idea about the type of air conditioning needed for your home. Also, make sure to check all the individual aspects before purchasing an air conditioner.