On a sticky summer’s day, there is nothing better than walking into a cool, air-conditioned room.
But choosing the right air conditioner for your home or business can be a time-consuming and difficult task. How do you know which brand is the right one for you? From energy efficiency to smart features and system warranties, we take a look at some of the most important things to consider when looking for a new AC system:
1. Energy efficiency and running costs
Probably the biggest question people ask when they’re looking to purchase or upgrade to a new air conditioning system is ‘how much will this cost?’ To keep your energy bills low and still ensure that your AC unit cools your room sufficiently, it’s important to select the right size air conditioner for the space you want to be cooled.
If you choose an air conditioning model that is too big, your energy bills will be ‘through the roof’, and if you choose one that is too small, your home will not cool properly, and your unit will run at maximum capacity to compensate. So you should always look for brands that make models that directly match your space size.
Another thing to consider when looking for an energy efficient air conditioning brand is the Star Rating. The more stars, the more efficient the product is. We recommend going for brands that make products above 6 stars. Although, a 10-star rating is better!
2. Warranty
Air conditioning warranties differ from brand to brand and are a key part of ensuring that your AC system will last for many years. What one warranty offers another one may not. For example, some warranties cover replacement parts but don’t cover the labor for replacing those parts, or only cover residential usage but not commercial. Other warranties may also be worked on by a non-authorized service person to remain valid. So before purchasing your new air conditioner, it’s important to do your research and read the terms and conditions, or have a discussion with your installer.
In terms of time length, generally, the longer your warranty lasts, the better your air conditioning unit will be. We recommend looking for brands that offer at least five years.
3. Filters
A good quality filter not only impacts the efficiency of your air conditioning unit, but can also affect your health, work performance, and productivity. When comparing air conditioning brands, we recommend looking for models with a filter that slides out easily for regular cleaning. If you live beside a busy road, it’s also a good idea to get a unit with a high-quality filter to reduce the street pollutants in your home (like dust, soot, car exhaust emissions, and petrol fumes).
4. Smart features
Every air conditioning brand offers different features. From motion sensors to fan speeds, sleep modes, timers, and dehumidification controls, it’s important to consider what functions you want your new air conditioner to have. Some of the smart features we recommend looking for include:
- Multiple fan speeds — from very high to very low, so that you can cool your home quickly and minimise the noise once you have the right temperature.
- Adjustable louvres — so that you can direct the air where it is particularly needed.
- Human presence sensors — to prevent excess energy use and stop empty rooms from being cooled for no reason.
- Sleep mode — so that the temperature adjusts slowly while you are sleeping and doesn’t make too much noise.
- Humidification control — to reduce the humidity in your home without decreasing the temperature.
Are you looking to install an efficient air conditioning system that is optimised for your home? Enquire online now, or call us on 07 3342 4316 to find out how Star Air Conditioning can help you!
