No one likes to be too cold or too hot, but if you're cold, you can at least turn the heat up or layer your clothing. If you're hot, however, you have only so many layers of clothing you can take off. That's where an air conditioner comes to the rescue.
Types of Air Conditioners
Window air conditioners. Used primarily for single rooms, these models blow cool air in while a blower takes the warm air out. They are fairly easy to install, comparatively inexpensive and energy efficient. They can also dehumidify a room. The downside is that they take away some of your view, and you need to either remove or winterize them during the coldest seasons.
Through-the-wall air conditioners. For those of you who don't want to sacrifice your view, the through-the-wall model is a good option. In addition to doing everything the window models do, they offer a wider range of capabilities. On the downside, unless you're comfortable making a huge hole in your wall, you will need a professional to install the unit.
Portable air conditioners. Portable air conditioners are more versatile than wall or window units. Most of them come with wheels, so you can easily move them around to target specific areas to cool. No installation or ducting is required, and they use less energy than most other options. All models require some sort of ventilation to vent the hot air out of the room. Condensation is either collected in a bucket, redistributed through a hole or recycled through the air. Some models come with dehumidifiers or heating options.
Mini-split air conditioners. These models are typically the second most expensive, after central air conditioners. They come with four main pieces: an outdoor compressor, a conduit housing the power cable and tubing that connects to the inside, the indoor air handler and a thermostat. Because the compressor is outside, these models are quieter than indoor models. On the downside, they require an HVAC professional to install them, and the air handlers don't always blend well into the wall. There must also be a place to drain condensate water near the outdoor unit.
Packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC). If you've ever stayed in a hotel, chances are you've seen this type of air conditioner mounted through the wall under a window. PTAC models offer an efficient way to cool and heat a room. On the downside, they're expensive and typically require professional installation.
Central air conditioners. These units cool and dehumidify the entire house. Most central air conditioners make use of your existing furnace air ducts and come pre-installed with your home.
Features
Here are general features you should consider before making a purchase:
Energy efficiency ratio (EER). The higher the EER number, the more efficient the unit will be. In hot geographic locations, look for an EER greater than 10.
British thermal unit (BTU). This international measurement of energy measures the amount of heat an air conditioner can remove from a room. The higher the BTU rating, the easier and faster an air conditioner cools a space. Higher BTU ratings also cost you more. In addition, matching BTU requirements to room size is important in order to cool a room efficiently.
Chassis. A chassis is the internal organ of an air conditioner. Some lighter models come with a fixed chassis, meaning the chassis does not slide out. Heavier models have a chassis that slides out, making repairs much easier for a technician.
Adjustable vertical and horizontal louvers. Air conditioners that come with vents that you can easily adjust offer more control over direction and air flow than models with static vents offer.
Fan setting. Air conditioners come with different settings for moving air. Some offer the ability to fine tune temperature while other models offer simple options such as on and off or low, medium and high.
Sleeve. Any wall model requires this metal device to keep it mounted in the wall.
Drainage. The condensation created by cooling air has to go somewhere. Air conditioners offer a host of drainage options, including a tube outside, a bucket or pan that needs to be emptied and self-contained units.
Multiple zones. Certain mini-split models come with multiple air handlers that enable you to cool separate rooms at different temperatures.
Low-voltage protection. This feature helps deal with brown-outs and power-fluctuations.
Auto-start. This is another feature for power outages and brownouts. Your unit automatically starts up after the power outage, keeping you from having to restart it yourself or remember to set it.
Remote control. Certain models enable you to adjust temperature settings from the comfort of your chair.
Electronic controls. Some air conditioners now use electronic or digital controls and temperature readings.
Programmable thermostat. There's nothing like coming home to a cool house or, at the very least, a cool room.
Programmable temperature settings let you choose temperatures for certain times of day, including nighttime, when many people forget to turn off their units.
Energy-saver mode. If you want to stay cool and save energy, then look for models that turn off the fan when the compressor is off.
Filter. Certain models come with filters that can be easily cleaned or replaced, which helps keep the air inside clean.
How to Choose
Look at your space. Is it wide open or enclosed? Do you want to cool your entire living space or just a single room such as your bedroom? Aesthetically, think about what kind of air conditioner you want. Many models stick out like a sore thumb in a window or through the wall. At the same time consider your budget, because other options cost more. A final important point is to make sure you buy an air conditioner with the proper BTU for a particular space. If your unit isn't strong enough, you won't properly cool your room. If you buy a model more powerful than you need, you'll end up wasting money.
