Portable, window, central and split air conditioner reviews

A good air conditioner can efficiently cool your room no matter how hot it is outside. They also have dehumidifier function which is very important in hot and humid climates. And if you get a reverse-cycle air conditioner in winter it can serve as a heater, pumping hot air instead of cool.

What type and size air conditioner you need depends on the size of your room and how well your home is insulated. For each square meter you usually need about 130 watts of cooling capacity. Each air conditioner model has different cooling capacity, so you will have to look at its specifications.

Types of air conditioners

• A portable air conditioner is effective in cooling a room of up to about 20 square meters. You can plug it into a normal power point and move it around the room. Portable room air conditioners are convenient because they don’t require any installation. On the downside, they are more expensive than window models..

• A window air conditioner is the most popular type of air conditioner and is installed in a window or external wall. It usually have higher cooling capacity than portable models and can cool rooms of up to 50 square meters.

• A split air conditioner system consists of a unit that's installed outside, and one or more indoor air outlets. This type can cool several rooms at the same time.

• Ductless air conditioner is another name for a mini split air conditioner system. Ductless air conditioning are less noisy and more efficient than the window ones. Also these air conditioners have no ducts, they avoid the energy losses associated with ductwork of central forced air systems.

• Central air conditioner works from a central location to distribute conditioned air throughout a house. Central air conditioners are the most expensive ones, but they are also most energy efficient. Another advantage is that it cools all rooms in your house instead of just one room where a window or portable unit is installed.
  
  

Energy star air conditioners

Some air conditioners are more energy efficient than the others. Look for air conditioners with an energy star. The Energy Star means that the product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. In other words it is more energy efficient than air conditioners without an Energy Star.

Energy Star models usually are more expensive, but they will not increase your energy bill. So in long term it actually saves your money, not to mention that saving energy helps the environment.