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Air Conditioner Buying Guide 2022
Knowing how to buy an air conditioner can seem like quite a daunting task, especially if you’ve never purchased one before. However, it doesn’t have to be as complicated as you might think. Whether you live in India or anywhere else in the world, there are just 10 steps that you need to follow in order to ensure that you make the best choice possible when buying your AC, whether it’s your first time or your fifth time making this purchase. Follow along with this air conditioner buying guide and find out how easy it can be!
1) Things you should know about ACs:
You’re not just buying a machine here. If you end up with something that doesn’t suit your needs, you could end up wasting energy, spending more money on electricity bills, and having a giant metal box sitting in your living room taking up space. Here are 10 important things you should know before purchasing your AC:
1.1) Check Your Electricity Bill: The first thing you should do is check your electric bill—you may be eligible for rebates or incentives that could save you money on your purchase. To get started, speak with your local utility company about their rebate programs and sign up for any available discounts.
1.2) Ductwork Is Required: Unless you want to heat (or cool) your entire house, ductwork will be required. Make sure you know where all of it is going to go—the installation can add as much as 30% to 40% to the total cost of installing an AC unit, so plan ahead!
1.3) Insulation Levels Matter: Buyers looking at single-story homes might feel like they don’t need insulation installed along with their new AC unit because it will already have enough wall insulation. Don’t underestimate how important insulation is, though; air conditioning units work most efficiently when used in conjunction with well-insulated walls and ceilings.
1.4) Purchase A Programmable Thermostat: An additional way to increase efficiency is by using a programmable thermostat; these devices help improve comfort levels by reducing cooling costs by as much as $180 per year.
1.5) Invest In A Dehumidifier: This tip may seem counterintuitive if you live somewhere humid, but humidity levels play into cooling efficiency too; especially if moisture levels aren’t under control throughout your home, airflow can become restricted leading to increased energy consumption and less effective cooling.
1.6) Know What Size Unit You Need: Sizing matters in AC units too. Generally speaking, you should size your unit based on floor area rather than square footage to account for walls and furniture. For example, while a 500 sq ft apartment would require 1 ton AC, a 700 sq ft apartment would require 1.2 tons even though both have equal surface areas—meaning size matters when choosing ACs!
1.7) Which Side Of The House Does It Go On? Whether you’re thinking about a window AC unit or a whole-house model, make sure you consider your location. For example, if your windows face west, it’s a good idea to look for east-facing models. The west side of your house absorbs sunlight during the day which raises temperatures and makes indoor cooling inefficient.
1.8) It Won’t Work As Well Without Filters: If you buy a window unit and don’t change its filter regularly, it won’t work as well. This can lead to high power usage over time and unnecessary frustration with your AC unit.
1.9) Only Get What You Need For The Room You Use Most: ACs work most efficiently when used in rooms where they will get used most frequently; while they might be suitable for multiple rooms, using them in one room more often than others will be more efficient overall.
1.10) Choose A Low-Emissivity (Low-E) Window Coating On Your New AC Unit: Low-E coatings are an inexpensive way to boost efficiency; if you have a choice between similar options at purchase or installation of your new AC unit, choose one that has it!
2) Know your Budget
The cost of air conditioners varies significantly by region, but in general, they range from a few hundred dollars for a basic model to several thousand dollars for a premium one. When considering your budget, think about how much you’re willing to spend on cooling your home and how much energy you want it to use.
If you live in a hot climate where temperatures regularly reach over 90 degrees F (32 C), getting an expensive AC unit won’t do much good unless you can afford 24/7 electricity (or if you get it set up with solar panels). If you do have that kind of money, however, an efficient model will save money by lowering your electricity bills.
3) Location and Type of AC
Your location, size of the room, and budget will dictate which type of AC you should purchase. For instance, if you live in a hot area or plan on using your AC frequently then a window unit might be best for you. If you live in a cooler area or are looking for a more energy-efficient solution then investing in central air conditioning is probably best. A medium-sized room can handle up to 3,000 BTU’s whereas a large room (4-5 times as big) requires 5,000 – 6,500 BTUs per hour.
4) Do you need a Split AC or Window AC?
The first thing you should determine is how much power you will need. Will your AC be used in a single room or throughout your entire home? An air conditioner’s BTU capacity (British Thermal Units) will indicate how much heat it can remove from a given area. For example, a 3-ton AC has a BTU capacity of 18,000, meaning it can cool spaces with up to 1,800 square feet.
Larger homes and rooms that have been converted into offices or bedrooms typically require 5-ton and 7-ton ACs that have capacities of 22,000 and 28,000 BTUs respectively. Keep in mind that every 100 square feet need about 10 BTUs for cooling so make sure you buy one with enough capacity for your living space.
5) How much power do you need?
The most common mistake people make when buying an air conditioner is to buy one that’s too small. That’s because it’s tempting to buy a bigger unit, which seems like it would cool down your home more efficiently. But if you get a unit that’s bigger than you need, you could end up over-cooling your home, which isn’t energy-efficient and can lead to discomfort in some rooms. So before even thinking about capacity, decide how much power you need—and then use that number as a starting point for researching different models.
6) Which Brand is Best in your Budget?
Given their wide range of product offerings, some well-known brands have developed a reputation for being industry leaders in certain areas. Daikin, for example, has gained recognition as a trusted name when it comes to building high-quality window units that are both energy efficient and stylish.
As one of Japan’s leading manufacturers of air conditioning systems, Toshiba also has a solid reputation when it comes to making reliable machines that are built to last and tend not to need repairs often. Whirlpool products also carry their own brand cache as some of India’s most popular appliances over many years.
read our article on the top 10 air conditioner brands in the world.
7) How to buy the best air conditioner on Amazon/Flipkart?
Like any major purchase, you should always do some research before buying a new air conditioner. If you’re in India, Amazon or Flipkart are both great places to start shopping for your new AC unit. But no matter which site you choose, there are ten steps you should take before purchasing your AC unit.
For best ACs on Amazon → click here
For best ACs on Flipkart click here
8) Should you go for Installation & AMC?
One of your most significant considerations will be whether or not you require installation and air conditioner maintenance services. While it is possible to purchase an air conditioner and install it on your own, we do not recommend doing so. You may end up hurting yourself and damaging a perfectly good appliance that could have lasted you for years otherwise.
We, therefore, advise against DIY installation; you should rather hire a professional A/C repair agency for installation, as well as AMC services. Why? A trained technician can ensure that your AC is set up properly—something which requires considerable expertise. He/she also has access to better parts than what is available in local markets. And finally, if something goes wrong after 5–6 months (which is roughly how long even a well-made AC lasts), you’ll be able to get it repaired without having to worry about hiring another agency.
9) Questions you must ask before buying an AC:
Before you head out to shop for your AC, there are a few things you must keep in mind. Make sure that you have answers for these before buying an Air conditioner.
9.1) What is my budget?
9.2) How much space will it cool?
9.3) Is my apartment wall air conditioner-friendly?
9.4) Can I afford installation charges?
9.5) What do I want from an AC – do I need climate control, smart features, or silent operation?
9.6) Do I want a window AC or one designed specifically for rooftops and apartments?
9.7) Is BTU important or can I make do with SEER ratings instead?
9.8) Will I buy it from a reputable brand or from some discount store where quality might be compromised?
10) Benefits of Using Condenser Air-Conditioners
Condenser air-conditioners are efficient and effective cooling systems. They work on a principle of absorbing heat from a room by passing cold air over cool coils, which results in heat loss. This process is known as ‘condensation’, from which these units derive their name. Because of how they function, it might seem obvious that using them would be more energy-efficient than using evaporative cooler or swamp cooler systems. However, we want to make sure you know exactly what’s going on with your electricity bill when you use AC vs. when you don’t! So here are some other benefits condenser AC has to offer: The higher upfront cost compared to portables is often compensated for by long service life and lower utility bills.
We all deserve the peace of mind knowing our family members will feel safe and secure during all types of weather conditions. Make sure everyone feels safe all year round – even during natural disasters – with an automatic transfer switch (ATS). An ATS will not only supply power where needed in case of an outage but also safeguard against overloads and spikes brought about by storms so your connected appliances keep up functioning properly.
Conclusion
Want a refreshing breeze throughout your home? Then it’s time to consider getting an air conditioner. Whether you choose a central air conditioning system or a window unit, keep these steps in mind as you search for and purchase your cooling device.
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