How To Select Home Air Conditioner
A home air conditioner might just be one of the most important and expensive purchases that you make for your home this year.
The reason that this purchase is so important is because of the function that your air conditioner has and the role it will play in your home.
During the long, hot summer months, your home air conditioner will provide you and your family with relief from the summer heat and humidity levels.
It's important to remember that a home air conditioner is generally an expensive purchase, so don't impulse-buy when you select one for your home.
How to Select Home Air Conditioner
Get a price range for your home air conditioner purchase
Get a price range for your home air conditioner purchase. Take a look at your budget and determine a good price that you and your family can afford for this investment. Use this number to select a model that's right for your home. Expect to pay between $3,000 and $6,000 for a central air conditioner as of January 2011. You can purchase a window model for as little as $150.
Pay attention to EER
Pay attention to the EER. This stands for, Energy Efficiency Rating, and it will tell you how environmentally friendly and energy-efficient the home air conditioners you're selecting from are. Look for a number that's above 9.7, which is recommended by law. Generally, a rating of 10.7 or above is very good, according to Consumer Reports. Both window models and central air conditioners will have an Energy Efficiency Rating.
Factor in BTUs
Factor in the BTUs.
This stands for British Thermal Units, and it's used to measure the capacity of the home air conditioners you're selecting from.
With a window air conditioner, 8,200 BTUs are needed to cool every 400 square feet of space, according to Consumer Reports.
For a central air conditioner, the BTUs are measured per hour, and each brand will specify what size home each model can handle cooling.
Look for home air conditioners that offer a dehumidifying mode if you live in a very humid area.
This basically means that the home air conditioner can double as a dehumidifier and make the temperature and air in your home even more comfortable.
This is a more common feature in window air conditioners, but central air conditioners can also have this feature.
Check out the controls for the home air conditioner yourself if possible.
Larger controls that feature easy-to-read screens and large buttons are generally preferable.
Easy operation is important for both window models and central air conditioners.
Look for home air conditioners that offer a dehumidifying mode if you live in a very humid area.
This basically means that the home air conditioner can double as a dehumidifier and make the temperature and air in your home even more comfortable.
This is a more common feature in window air conditioners, but central air conditioners can also have this feature.
Check out the controls for the home air conditioner yourself if possible.
Larger controls that feature easy-to-read screens and large buttons are generally preferable.
Easy operation is important for both window models and central air conditioners.