Air Conditioners - Buying Guide - Air Conditioners

Air Conditioners - Buying Guide
The Home Depot

Stay cool through the hot summer months with a room air conditioner
Adding a room air conditioner to your living room, bedroom or home office can help you keep cool when summer temperatures start to rise. Whether you choose a small, portable option or a large, built-in wall unit, room air conditioners are an excellent way to maintain a comfortable climate throughout various rooms in your home or apartment. While there are a number of different types and sizes to choose from, not all air conditioners are the same. Each unit is designed to control the temperature and humidity levels within a specific area, so you’ll want to make sure you purchase a unit that is able to handle the size of the room it will be located in. Before you begin looking take a minute to evaluate your needs and ask yourself the following questions:

How large is the room where you plan to install the unit? Which type of air conditioner is best suited to your needs? What are the benefits of choosing an energy-efficient model? What special care and maintenance tasks should you perform? Are there any special features that are important to you?

Types, Energy Efficiency, Installation and Maintenance

Selecting the right air conditioner begins with making a few simple calculations. First you’ll need to determine what size the area is where you will be placing the unit. If the room is square or rectangular, simply measure the length and width of the room and multiply them to get your square footage. For example, a 16' x 20' room has a grand total of 320 sq. ft. (For triangular spaces multiply the length by the width and divide by two.) To ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency, you will want to match the BTUs (British thermal units) of the air conditioner to the size of the room. If you are getting a window unit, you will also want to measure the opening where you plan to install the unit. If you are replacing a wall unit, measure the space in the wall and make sure you get one that matches the opening exactly.

Types: When it comes to choosing an air conditioner, you basically have three options available to you – window units, portable units and wall, or built-in, units. Each one has certain features and benefits, and the one you choose will depend largely on how often you use it, what kind of installation you prefer and your price range. Window units are the type people are most familiar with. They are designed to sit right in a standard double-hung window. They require a support of some kind, such as a wooden plank or a specially designed shelf that can be attached to the exterior of your home for dedicated reinforcement. Portable units can be moved from room to room and only require access to a window for convenient exhaust of hot air. Many portable units are mounted on casters for easy movement. Built-in air conditioners can be installed in your wall for permanent placement and operation. These units often provide both cold and hot air operation for more versatile use. They make a great solution for extra rooms or additions made to your house that may not be connected to your home’s central heating and air conditioning system.

Window units are easy to install and can be removed and put in storage when not needed Window air conditioners carry a lower price tag and are generally the most affordable option Portable units require no installation and can be easily relocated for cool air wherever it is needed Consider the maximum amount of space you want to cool when purchasing a portable unit Portable models are often very heavy, so look for a unit with casters if you plan to move it frequently Wall units require a more involved installation and are typically the most expensive option

Energy Efficiency and BTUs: When it comes to evaluating the energy efficiency of a room air conditioner, there are two pieces of information you should pay careful attention to – the unit’s EER (Energy Efficiency Rating) and its BTU rating. The BTU rating is a number that essentially tells you how quickly and effectively a unit can cool the room where it is located. They generally range from around 5,000 BTUs to more than 20,000. While one might be tempted to think that more BTUs are better, that isn’t necessarily the case. Purchasing a unit that is too powerful results in uneven temperatures, poor humidity control and inefficient operation. On the other hand, selecting a unit that is too small for a given space will not effectively cool the area. So it is important to choose a unit that is just right for your room size. Consult the chart below for some general guidelines. The EER rating is determined by dividing the number of BTUs by the air conditioner’s wattage. Look for units with an EER of 9.0 or higher to ensure truly effective and efficient operation...