A good aircon is essential for every home. Living in a house that is too warm can adversely affect your health. On the other hand, leaving the windows open at night can let bugs in that might make you very sick. Therefore it is essential to ensure that you pick the right air conditioner for your space so that you remain comfortable and safe.
Here are essential factors to consider when buying an aircon unit for your apartment home.
11 Factors to Consider When Selecting the Best Aircon Type for Your Apartment
1. Window or Central Type
If you are looking to cool one or two rooms, you should consider using the window air conditioner. On the other hand, if you have a large apartment, a central aircon unit is an excellent choice. Small homes are quickly cooled using window conditioners, especially if you are on a budget or do not plan to live in the same place for a long time.
2. Cooling Capacity
Ask your vendor about the cooling capacity of the aircon you are considering. Cooling capacity or tonnage is a crucial consideration when buying an air conditioner. If you purchase an air conditioner with low tonnage for your large apartment, it will have to run for a long time to cool the entire room; doing this will only increase your electricity bill.
On the other hand, if you buy a high-capacity AC for a small flat, it will be too cold. That’s why it’s important to make sure that you know the size of your apartment before heading to the store. A 100-square feet flat requires a 0.8-ton AC, while a 25- square feet one requires a 1.5-ton air conditioner.
Picking the right cooling capacity will ensure that your room is comfortably cool without ballooning your energy bill.
3. Air Conditioner Size
It is essential to consider the size of the air conditioner you are going to buy. The size will affect the aesthetic appeal of the apartment as well as the space.
If you have a small apartment, buying a large air conditioner will make the room look bad. It will also take up a lot of space and make the place appear cramped.
With a larger apartment, you can buy a huge air conditioner without sacrificing aesthetic and space issues. It’s also important to remember that a small air conditioner in a big flat will not be effective against the heat.
4. Condenser
It’s crucial to find out the type of condenser used in the AC unit you are planning to purchase. There are two types of condensers used in modern air conditioning machines: aluminum and copper condensers.
Aluminum condensers are cheaper than copper ones but require a lot of maintenance. On the other hand, copper condensers are more expensive, but they require less maintenance, making them cheaper in the long run. It’s advisable to buy machines with copper condensers because they will last longer and give more cooling.
5. Power Consumption
It’s no secret that air conditioners use up a lot of power. That makes power consumption a vital consideration when buying air conditioners. Each year the National Environmental Agency rates AC units based on their performance and quality. A machine that has a high green tick rating consumes less power than one that has a low green tick rating.
Always make sure to check the air conditioner you buy to ensure that it has a high tick rating. Remember, an aircon with a low tick rating is likely to use up a lot of power and raise your electricity bill.
6. Brand
If you want to ensure that you buy the right air conditioner, make sure that you consider the brand and reputation of a unit. Popular and well-known brands offer premium warranty, are long-lasting, and do not break down easily. You will also have the assurance that the machine is made with high-quality materials.
On the other hand, off-brand and generic machines cost less but are not durable and often do not have reliable warranty coverage.
7. Budget
Consider the amount of money you have and can afford to spend on an air conditioner. There is a wide variety of brands in the market today, and it is essential to pick one within your price range.
8. Air Quality
Your air conditioner should improve the air quality in your apartment. Make sure that it has a dehumidification feature to remove humidity in the air. It should also provide increased cooling and comfort. Check whether it also comes with a filter to remove dust and dirt particles in the air in your apartment.
9. Multi-purpose Features
Consider buying units that offer both heating and cooling features. These hot and cold models use up less power during cold weather compared to space heaters. If you decide to purchase one, check if it also has auto-clean and self-diagnosis features for easier maintenance.
10. Noise
Loud noise from the air conditioner can be as much of a distraction as heat. Make sure that the air conditioner you choose has noise levels of less than 50-60 decibels.
If you work from home, a loud AC can also affect your hearing and make it difficult to sleep. Bear in mind that a noisy air conditioner is likely to become louder with time, and if you have a small apartment, it may become too uncomfortable to be indoors with the AC running all the time.
11. Aircon Installation and Maintenance
It’s always vital to talk to the aircon vendor about installation and maintenance. Find out whether the store offers free maintenance and installation services.
If you plan to do it yourself, make sure that you’ve read the warranty carefully. This is because DIY installation may cause unnecessary damages to the unit.
Also make the time to find out how much maintenance the aircon you are considering requires. It’s always advisable to buy a low maintenance AC to save on maintenance costs.
Choosing Your Next Apartment Aircon
Buying an air conditioner for your apartment is crucial to your comfort. That’s why it’s always a good idea to make sure you use the above factors as a guide when choosing and purchasing a new aircon unit.
Related article: Aircon Buying Guide for HDB Owners
