How to choose an air conditioner

With summer coming, temperatures are rising higher and higher and it is almost impossible to stay in an environment where you don't have air conditioning to give that refreshed. If you are thinking of getting a conditioner but still have questions about which model is right, check out some tips on how to choose an air conditioner.

Before you buy your air conditioner, be sure to know the features of the appliance and find out about its functions. The most beautiful or expensive device is not always the best.

To choose a device that has good quality, you need to assess whether the power is compatible with the size of the environment and then whether the product will not overspend and make the electricity bill weigh in your pocket at the end of the month.

Check if the cooling is R410A rather than R22, which is harmful to the ozone layer. For the appliance to be economical, it is necessary to have good thermal insulation. Inquire about cooling and if air conditioning does not make much noise.

The basic rule not to go wrong when choosing power is to know that every 7500 BTUs cool an area of ​​up to 10 m², with the equivalent of four people on site. For an area of ​​15 m², a device of 10000 BTUs is required and so on.

Ideally, the device should always be kept at reasonable temperatures between 20 ° and 22 ° C, enough to keep the environment cool and pleasant.

O portable air conditioner It is the most practical way to have the appliance without having to drill holes in the walls. The appliance has the same function as non-portable air conditioning and has this advantage that it can be placed in any corner of the room, bedroom, office and other places.

Know some functions of air conditioners

COP (Yield Ratio): This function indicates the relationship between the energy produced and the energy consumed when the heat pump is heating. The higher the COP, the higher the energy expenditure.

EER (Energy Efficiency Coefficient): Indicates the relationship between the energy produced and the energy consumed to produce the programmed temperature in cooling mode. The higher the EER, the better the product efficiency.

BTU (British Thermal Unit): It is the power unit that determines the cooling capacity of the device. BTUs vary depending on the area to be cooled. Before buying an air conditioner you need to know the area in m², the type of solar heating that the place has insulation in and radiators such as the radio, TV or computer.

Heat pump: When an appliance has this system, it means that it can be used for cooling or heating and can reverse the process of transporting heat from one place to another.

R410A: Type of gas used for cooling and not harmful to the ozone layer.

Turbo Function: Only models of air conditioners that can function as heaters have this function, which allows a maximum speed at the beginning of the process to heat or cool the environments.

Mono Split / Split Individual: System that needs a duct installation, where the central air conditioning is formed by only one outdoor unit that feeds the indoor units.

Outdoor unit: Unit that should be placed outside the house. The condensing outdoor unit includes the compressor.

Invert or Hyperinverter System: It is the system that can prevent the compressor from slowing down without having to switch the device on and off, which generates the most energy consumption. This allows you to reach programmed temperatures faster.

Air conditioning care

To ensure long life for the air conditioner and to prevent parts such as compressor and thermostat from breaking, it is advisable to always turn the appliance on for ventilation for a few minutes and then switch to cooling mode.

In order to stay away from the health risks of air conditioning, to avoid dust accumulation and excessive electricity consumption, the appliance should be cleaned regularly every 15 days. If necessary, the grid needs to be changed every six months.

Professional maintenance should be done annually to check that the refrigeration level and air conditioner pipes are in order. All to save the energy bill increase.

Air conditioning leaves the air very dry, compromising the functioning of the respiratory system. Therefore, to avoid health problems like colds, flu and allergic attacks, always leave a basin with water or damp towel where it stays on for a long time. Care must be redoubled with the air conditioning in the room.

Air Conditioner Buying Guide (Interactive Video) | Consumer Reports (April 2024)