The basic function of an Air Conditioning units or an AC is to regulate temperature and humidity so we can be comfortable in summer staying indoors. Air Conditioners were considered a luxury up until recently. But as a result of falling prices they have become much more affordable to the common man now. And with summer temperatures getting hotter every year, ACs have become common household appliance even in a city like Bangalore which enjoys relatively mild climatic conditions throughout the year.
How to choose an AC for your house or apartment
Cooling Capacity
The most important aspect of an AC is its cooling capacity, typically measured in Tons. What kind of tonnage you should be looking for is principally determined by the area of the room (more specifically, volume) that you want to be cooled. Normally for a 12×12 ft room a 1 ton AC should be enough. If you want ensure even better cooling, a general rule of thumb is to divide the square root of the room area by 10 to get the tonnage. That way for the above-mentioned 12×12 room, you could go with 1.2 ton AC. There are many other factors that are crucial to this calculation, the number of people in the room, heat emitting electrical units like light bulbs and television sets in the room, the local climate and the outdoor temperature near the AC unit. (It helps if the unit is in a cool area covered by natural shade, like a tree) Make sure all these are taken into consideration before you decide on the tonnage.
Installing a large unit unnecessarily should be avoided, as even though it may cool the room more quickly it could lead to poor humidity removal due to excessive on-off cycling. A small unit running for an extended period is usually more efficient and more effective than a large unit that cycles on and off frequently.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is extremely important as more energy efficient units – even if they are more expensive, can save you a lot of money in the long run. Less energy-efficient systems not only consume more electricity and lead to massive electricity bill but are also more damaging to the environment. Government of India has set up the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), which has come up with a 5-star rating system to help consumers identify more energy-efficient products. An AC with a 5-star rating from BEE can be trusted to give you the maximum cooling per kilowatt of electricity consumed.
Different Types of AC
Two types of air conditioners typically available in the market.
Window AC: This is normally used for cooling just one room. It’s convenient to install as it can be installed on a window. This, along with the fact that it tends to be less expensive, makes it very popular. The key difference from split AC is that all the components are in a single casing.
Split AC: A split air conditioning system consists of an outdoor unit with the condenser, condenser fan and compressor along with an indoor cabinet that contains the evaporator and the air-handler. Split ACs can be more powerful and can be used to cool multiple rooms supported by a single outdoor unit. They also have the advantage that they’re usually less noisy.
In addition to this, there are many other kinds of systems like cassette type AC’s and even portable ACs to meet your needs if your don’t think either of two mentioned above is suited for you.
Reverse-cycle AC
This type of ACs have the added advantage that it can double up as a heating system and heat your household when it gets too cold during winter.
Tips to Save Energy and Save on Your Electricity Bill
One thing you must know, even before you buy an AC, is that it consumes a whole lot of electricity. In familiar terms, the running cost of an AC in terms of electricity could be the equivalent of running 25 ceiling fans. So it is very important that you use the AC wisely, sparingly and efficiently. Here are some tips to help you do that.
- Install the AC in the centre of the room, rather than in a corner.
- Make sure there are no obstacles of any kind immediately in front of the unit. If the free flow of air is blocked from the unit, its efficiency will be seriously affected.
- Set the AC’s temperature setting as high as comfortably possible. The lower the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower will be the electricity consumption.
- Do not place electric appliances near the AC unit.
- Clean the AC filter regularly and clean the outdoor coils as they gather dust. Make sure you learn how to do it properly from the sales personnel when they install the unit.
To find more related information, visit http://indiahometips.com/ac-home.html.
