A good portion of any home’s monthly budget is usually allotted for their heating and cooling systems. This is why it is important to do your homework when purchasing air conditioners. The unit you select can affect other factors in your home and not just the costs.
Selecting a Contractor
Do not choose a contractor that bases the size of the unit you purchase entirely on the floor area of your home. Contractors should calculate the cooling requirements according to different factors and not merely on floor area alone. According to Apex Airconditioning, he should consider the insulation in the attic, crawlspaces and walls. Other factors include the indoor and outdoor temperatures, number of people in the home, shade adequacy and even the colour of the roof. This is to determine if it repels or absorbs heat more.
Determining the Size of the Unit
To find out the size of the unit you need, consider the following factors:
- Floor area in square meters
- Height of the ceiling from the floor
- Number of windows and their corresponding sizes
- Insulation
- Number of people
- Number of lights in the room
Achieving Energy Efficiency
Be wary of confusing energy computations. Two costs you should consider when choosing a unit include the actual cost of the system and the cost of using it in terms of your electricity bill. Factors that determine how much you need to pay each month are the cooling capability of the unit, frequency and length of use and the unit’s energy efficiency rating. For units that mirror similar cooling capabilities, one that features a better energy efficiency ratio will net you lower electric bills.
Controlling Noise Levels
The noise level of the unit also affects the price. The noise may be minimised if you use a split type air conditioner, as the components are placed in a different area of the house. But, for wall-mounted units, this can be an issue. The noise and the vibrations are formed due to the action of the compressor, water formed at the heat exchangers and the blower itself.