Summer is almost here, and as much as we love summer vacations, nights out, and friends & family gatherings on the beach, humidity can be a joy killer to a fair extent. We all faced those days when we couldn't bear going out because of the hot weather and humidity, especially since summer in Saudi can get a bit tough. So if you're looking for the best fit of an AC for your home, it's the perfect time to learn everything about ACs and how to choose it. eXtra blog can be your go-to whenever you get stuck with your choice.
You need to know that air conditioners come in different types, shapes, powers, sizes, etc.
Let's start with the main question you must be asking yourself,
Which type would best fit in the room?
We all know the two types of air conditioners, the Split AC and the Window AC, but do you know enough to decide and choose the best option for your home?
We will figure this out together in today's blog.
Design and application
The window ac is a single-part unit referred to as a portable box, housing the condenser, compressor, expansion valve or coil, evaporator, cooling coil, etc.
It's easy to transfer due to its portable design.
Cooling Capacity
AC cooling capacity is measured in BTU (Btu/hr.), which is the amount of cooling in a particular space at a time. An air conditioner needs 20 BTU for each square foot.
And the window ac is available in a cooling capacity range between 5,000 to 12,500 BTU, which is enough for smaller rooms.
Find out more details about the suitable cooling capacity ft. your room size below.
Pros
Easier installation as it doesn't need drilling in the wall to conceal air tubes, but you must have a window in the room.
Ideal for small rooms.
Can be used in both seasons as it has built-in heaters to warm the rooms.
Cheap compared to the split air conditioner.
Allows fresh air from outside to come into the room and circulate along with the cool air generated by the unit to maintain carbon dioxide levels below 700 ppm.
Easier maintenance as it's a compact design, so all components are in one place.
Cons
Consumes more power.
Limited cooling capacity.
Noisier, it has louder operations than the split ac.
Blocks the sunlight as it's mostly mounted on the window.
Design and application
The split ac on, the other hand, is a two-part outdoor and indoor unit. The outdoors consists of a compressor, condenser, and expansion valve, which helps reduce the noise of the operations. While the indoor unit consists of the capillary tube (expansion element), evaporator, and cooling fan.
It's used in larger size rooms and offices compared to the window ac.
The split ac is usually for bigger rooms such as the master bedroom and living room.
Pros
Cools down faster.
Larger cooling space.
Less noise since the compressor and the condenser are outside.
It doesn't require a window in the room; it can fit on any wall.
It can be installed anywhere without blocking the sunlight coming from the window.
Less Power consumption.
Cons
Costlier due to the bigger size and higher power and capacity.
More difficult installation since it needs drilling in the wall.
Time to decide what size AC you need
Small Bedroom or Home office Primary Bedroom Living Room
100 - 250 sqft 250 - 350 sq ft 350- 550 m sq
5000-6500 BTU 7500 - 8500 BTU 9800 - 12500 BTU
Choose your AC as per the EER (Energy Efficiency Rate)
This rating allows you to measure the cooling power per electricity consumption.
You'd rather consider a higher EER rating air conditioner because a higher star rating AC provides more energy efficiency, and a less star rating provides less energy efficiency.
You also need to pay attention to the compressor type before buying an air conditioner, as it also affects the power consumption and usage of the ac.
Compressor types
There are mainly two types of compressors,
Single-Stage Compressor — A single-stage compressor cools the house while working at maximum capacity. Because this compressor only has one speed, it cycles on and off more frequently, constantly operating at full capacity and consuming the most energy. As a result, this type of compressor is less efficient than other compressors in terms of energy consumption.
Two-Stage Compressor— medium and high. The high setting is for hot and humid days, while the medium setting is for cooler days or overnight. When the outside temperature elevates, and it takes too long to cool the indoor space, the two-stage air conditioning compressor switches to a higher level. Because the compressor can run in the medium setting for the majority of the year, it uses less energy and lowers your power bills. It's also more comfortable for you; by running at the medium compressor speed for longer periods of time, the unit does a better job of removing humidity from the indoor air, making the space more comfortable and allowing you to raise the thermostat temperature a degree or two while still feeling cool. This also saves you money!
And the latest technology as known as inverter technology.
Inverter Technology
An inverter-type air-conditioner adjusts the compressor's speed to control the refrigerant (gas) flow rate, thereby consuming less current and power.
An inverter has precise temperature control, and as the set temperature is attained, the unit adjusts its capacity to eliminate any temperature fluctuations.
Important Tips to Know Before Installing Your AC
Consider the place of the AC in the room, and try as much as possible to avoid direct sun rays as it may increase the heat and reduce the air conditioning efficiency.
A room with a high ceiling will require more power to cool it, so make sure to measure the total volume of the space (Length, width, and height).
A large north- or west-facing window can let in a lot of heat in summer, whereas a shaded, southern-facing window will be cooler.
For the split AC, Select an unobstructed location on your interior wall to mount the indoor unit.
Mount the unit 2.1 m off the floor and ensure at least 15–30 cm of open space on every side of the unit to allow for proper airflow.
Choose a location with studs to ensure the wall is strong enough to hold the unit's weight.
Install the unit at least 3.3 feet (1.0 m) away from antennas and power or connecting lines used for television, radio, home security systems, intercoms, or telephones.
Avoid locations where gas may leak or where oil mist or sulfur exists.
Avoid installation near fire hazards, hotter parts of the house, or the trash can.
Power saving tips
If the room is heavily shaded, reduce capacity by 10 percent.
If the room is very sunny, increase capacity by 10 percent.
Now that you're ready to buy an AC, check out different types and sizes of air conditioners on our eXtra website.