Air conditioners are important home appliance during summer. In fact, they are still the most popular choice when it comes to cooling the air. Unfortunately, cooling activity require a lot of energy that is not only bring bad news to our monthly energy bill but also to the environment. Therefore, nowadays there are many people who looking for an efficient air conditioner to cool the air more effectively and efficiently. As well we know, there are now a lot of air conditioning products to choose! But which one that can work more efficient that eventually will be helpful for you to save your money from a high energy bill that you must pay for each month?
According to “energyrating.gov.au”; around 45 percent of households in Australia need and use air conditioning unit during summer. The use of this air cooling appliance is so related on weather and climate. One of the most crucial issues to look for with an efficient air conditioner is the value of star rating. Moreover, you also must concern to the size, it is dependent on the large size of area for the task. The star ratings are classified into three types of energy rating labels. The one for cooling-only design has a blue box (energy consumption figure) & a blue band of stars. Like the name implies, this type is only supported for a cooling mode.
Then for reverse-cycle units, their label consists of two bands of stars. The red band is a variable that indicates the efficiency performance of heating and the blue band is a variable that indicates the efficiency performance of cooling. So there are also available 2 energy consumption figures (red=heating & blue=cooling). And as the name implies, reverse cycle indicates two operation models (the operation of the unit can be internally & automatically reversed for indoor cooling or for heating as required), which the work principle used of both models is not too different. In addition, you can also find energy rating labels that are purposed for heating-only models which are not equipped with cooling function! To figure out more clearly about the energy rating labels you can visit Energyrating.gov.au!
There are three major types of air conditioners for households use; central AC, window AC, and portable air conditioners. Window and portable units are relatively noisier than central units! But both are great choice to complement your existing central air conditioning system. Both are popular for spot cooling, I mean they can be used to cool the air around of you more specifically. Spot cooling mechanism is more recommended when you are alone in a room rather than by turning on your central A/C, because it consumes lower energy. But which one is better between window unit and portable unit? Well, I prefer using a portable air conditioner rather than using a window unit, because it is much more practical for the installation, you don’t have to concern the size of the window first for the installation!
But you should know that the big down side of portable units is the noisy performance. Therefore, you must take a look at the decibel value of the unit. Other idea is by choosing a portable unit that adopts the mechanism of split system. Split models usually will house the compressor and condenser to the outside and therefore they can work much more noiseless as well as like central A/C units.
What else to look for to find and choose the efficient air conditioners?
- Modern air conditioners are nowadays equipped with a smart inverter technology (or also familiar known as variable speed drive control). Air conditioner inverter concept is useful to anticipate the problem when the unit is being full load. This concept will make the unit run more stably and efficiently.
- Consider also other parameters to rate the efficiency performance of the unit, particularly about SEER ratings and Energy Star approval.
- Choose brands that are qualified of ‘TESAW’ or Top Energy Saver Award, especially if you live in Australia.
- And once again, choose the right size. Air conditioners are usually rated by kW or BTUs. Avoid thinking that bigger is better!
- Consider other factors to make sure you get one that’ll be your good investment in long term, such as; the difficulty procedures for the maintenance, type & quality of air conditioner filter, long lifetime warranty, etc.
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