Choosing the right air conditioner the air conditioner is easy if you have the right information but one needs to be aware of the jargon before getting lost in them.
A lowdown on terminology:
BTU The British thermal unit (Btu) is the international measurement of energy. In AC jargon, Btu’s measure the amount of heat an air conditioning unit can remove from the room.The Btu rating increases proportionally to the size, weight and cost of the air conditioner.Room air conditioners are generally between 5000 to 24,000 Btu’s.They play a very important role in cooling the room efficiently.
EER
Energy conservation and effective usage of power is a must these days. The Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) is calculated by dividing the Btus by the number of watts that the unit is consuming. The higher the EER number the more efficient the unit will be. A higher EER also means additional cost;but often it is worth it due to the big savings that it generates.
THERMOSTAT
The heat-sensing thermostat adjusts the temperature of the air that is coming from the air conditioning unit. Thermostats can be both programmable and manual.Most units nowadays are available with an adjustable thermostat combined with an adjustable speed fan. This makes the unit an effective one. These units often have remote control, delay timers and digital display for temperature. Good quality thermostats play a crucial role in the cooling efficiency of an air-conditioner.
FAN
It might be considered one of the most non-essential parts of an AC by many, but its one thing that helps the movement of the air. A variable speed fan combined with an adjustable thermostat make a unit very effective. Fan adjustments are of crucial importance.
FILTER
Clean air is essential for efficient operation of a unit. ACs with a range of filters are available in the market. One should always look for units which have filters that can be removed, cleaned and replaced easily. Some filters with health benefits are also available in the market these days.
CHASSIS
A fixed chassis is characteristic of a lighter weight and smaller unit that can be moved and removed easily. A slide out chassis is a must in the large and heavier models as this helps the unit slide out easily for maintenance. A strong chassis prolongs the life of an air conditioning unit.