Do you need additional units to complement your existing central air conditioning system? There are available several choices and one of those choices is window air conditioners! They are not too bad selection when central AC unit cannot cool all rooms of your house powerfully. And as well we know, there are available many models and brands to choose! And there are some points or factors that you should consider to analyze and ensure you get and use the best one of them.
Window air conditioning units are also good idea if you want to through the summer season successfully with lower energy bill that usually you have to pay each month. They consume les electric energy than central AC models, but still promise powerfully performance as long as you use the right size. As additional information, BTU’s size is so important to ensure the unit work optimally at its top efficiency performance. Back to the main topic, let’s have a look at some important points that you should consider as well when finding and buying the best one of window air conditioners!
- The efficiency still becomes the most popular issue that usually consumers consider when choosing and buying air cooling appliances. Because, the efficiency is closely related to the high or low energy bill that we have to pay monthly. There are two popular parameters to measure the efficiency performance of window air conditioners that are; SEER or it stands for “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio” and Energy Star rating. A unit that has the higher value of SEER will work more efficient than other units that have lower value of SEER.
- Like mentioned in the first point, don’t miss to take a look at the unit that come with Energy Star approval. This unit is usually priced relatively more expensive but it has been qualified as well as like the criteria design that is recommended by EPA. In addition, anyone who uses window AC unit that has the Energy Star rating then may will qualify for ‘a rebate’, particularly when upgrading or advancing to an Energy Star rated unit.
- And once again, choose the right size! It is dependent to the large of your room where will be cooled by your new unit. Like other regular air conditioners, generally the sizes of window AC units are also rated with BTUs (British Thermal Units). Although there is a wrong perception that says “higher or bigger size is better” but once again, avoid using over size or even lower size!
- The efficiency is so important but don’t limit yourself to only consider about it when shopping. Consider also other features that can make the daily operation more easily and practically. Some of those features are remote control, a sleep mode feature, speed-fan control feature, and so on.
As additional information, the noise is something that becomes the big drawback when using window air conditioning units. The noise is usually rated in decibel (dB). Therefore, it is better to choose units that have lower dB values.
Moreover, there are also some conventional options to reduce the noise and make our window air conditioners work more quietly and noiseless. Some of those options are; (a) install the unit on the window properly and tightly, therefore tighten all screws that hold the front panel, (b) use insulation ‘cellophane tape’ between the frame and the glass of the window to reduce vibration, and (c) check also the fan-blades and then make sure they are not bent.
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Read also what you should do first for window AC Freon leaks and portable AC vs. window unit!
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