The right home or office air conditioner is critical to providing adequate cooling. Different air conditioners work best in different settings, and larger rooms or areas will need more powerful air conditioners than very small areas. Choose an air conditioner that's right for the space being cooled.
For example, a portable air conditioner, which is also referred to as a ductless AC unit, can be plugged into an outlet to cool a space. Although this will only help to cool a single room, they can be moved to another room quite easily. Often, these use exhaust hoses or devices that must allow exhaust to escape outside through a window or door.
In comparison, a fixed-unit air conditioner is permanently or semi-permanently installed for use in a single room. A window unit is placed in the room's window, and requires minimal effort to install. A wall unit is installed by cutting into a section of outside wall in a room, rather than taking up window space.
Another alternative is a split air conditioning system. These are similar to portable units in that they have two sections. One section is placed outside, and the other is placed inside. The two are connected with a length of refrigerant piping. Although these are initially quite expensive, they are more efficient and quieter than portable units.
The most permanent, but most expensive, type of unit is a ducted air conditioning system. Sometimes referred to as central AC units, these systems use ductwork throughout the home to maintain a steady cooling temperature. These efficient units are typically attached to either the home's furnace or heating and cooling pump. A condensing unit is placed outside, allowing the same ductwork to be used for heating as well as cooling.
Not every cooling unit is right for every room or home, though. Persons who own their homes or office will likely want to consider more permanent alternatives than those who are renting or leasing the space. To help make the right decision, consider these features when choosing the right air conditioner:
- Cooling Capacity: Purchase a unit large enough to cool the desired space. An overly powerful unit will not work efficiently in a very small space. A unit that is not large enough may result in inadequate cooling or an overworked air conditioner.
- Energy Efficiency: An air conditioning unit that uses energy efficiency is environmentally friendly. These also save money. Efficiency is measured with an EER, or Energy Efficiency Rating. Air conditioning units that have a higher EER use energy more efficiently.
- Air flow: Choose between fresh or recirculated air. This can be helpful in keeping dust and pollen out. Some units may require the air flow to be manually adjusted, while others may have automated systems.
- Timers: These are ideal for vacations or long workdays. Set the timer so that the unit will begin cooling to a welcoming temperature.
- Filters: Filters help to keep dust, smells, or allergens out of the circulating air.
- Remote controls: These allow the temperature to be adjusted from a distance.
- Dehumidifiers: Top-of-the-line models usually feature internal dehumidifiers. These are very helpful in homes built in humid or damp climates.
Is a Fan a Better Choice?
People who live in temperate climates may find fans to be a better cooling choice. Portable fans can be used to cool a single room or area in a home, garage, or office. These are available as window fans, desk fans, or even heavy-duty portable fans. Ceiling fans are fans that are permanently fixed in one room, and help to cool a single room. Whole house fans may also be permanently installed in a home. These use cross-ventilation to promote the even distribution of cooled air.
Air Filtering and Purification
People with allergies or asthma often need air cleaners, or air purifiers, to remove allergens, dust, and other waste from the air. These also help to prevent mold growth. Three basic types of air cleaners are available.
First, the mechanical filtration cleaner causes air to be pushed through filters and removes pet dander, dust, or other allergens. In comparison, an electrical attraction air cleaner, or an electrostatic air cleaner, will cause particles to become charged so that they are attracted to an air filter. This will cause dust or other waste materials to be drawn into the filter. A combination air filter uses a combination of both of these methods to clean and purify the air. Some of the most effective air cleaners use HEPA filters to remove even the smallest particles of irritants from the air.
Air cleaners are very similar to air conditioners in that small, portable models can be purchased, or home owners can opt for whole-house air purifying systems. While whole-house models are most efficient, they are also the most expensive and usually require professional installation.
The most important consideration in evaluating the quality of an air purifier is flow rating. This value, which is measured in terms of CFM, will explain how fast and how thoroughly the unit is capable of filtering air. The standard consideration is that 100 CFM is required to adequate purify 250 square feet.
Staying cool - and breathing clean air - are important, especially in hot humid clients or for people with breathing problems. Choosing the right air conditioner and air purifier means considering many factors, including budget, house or room size, permanency of the unit, and personal preference. Keep these factors in mind when shopping for the right air conditioner or air purifier!