Big purchases come with a big cost and hence, it’s extremely important to choose the right air conditioners for your home when you choose to get one. While we are aware of most of the common terminologies, there are a lot of other terms that we need to understand better in order to make the right choice. Here’s a quick guide on the different types of air conditioners and different modes that one needs to take into account before making the purchase:
Types of Air Conditioners:
1. Window Air Conditioners – These are mounted in a window and come with an exhaust system throws the hot air out from the back and sides while the cooling system does it work indoors. They usually have just enough capacity to cool one room at a time.
2. Central Air Conditioners – The central air conditioners are for bigger homes that requires air conditioners in multiple rooms. There is a huge cooling compressor located outside the house while the actual piece does the work inside. A coil filled with refrigerant helps cool the air which is further blown by a fan across the house. This one’s usually the most expensive options out of the lot.
3. Portable Air Conditioners – This one’s mobile and can be moved from one room to the other. It only uses an outlet to power on and funnels out the exhaust air through a window.
4. Ductless Split System Air Conditioners – This one goes by its name, the split system has two units, one inside and one outside. These systems are much quieter and energy efficient.
Different Air Conditioner Modes:
1. Cool Mode – This is the mode where the air conditioner cools your room and maintains the temperature you’ve set on the remote for the time it’s on. Power consumption in this mode depends on the temperature it’s set at.
2. Heat Mode – In this, the air conditioner acts like a heater and warms your room and maintains the temperature you’ve set on the remote.
3. Fan/Ventilation Mode – The compressor is off in this mode and it’s only the fan that works. While it does save a lot of energy as the compressor is off, it doesn’t add any value in terms of cooling.
4. Dry Mode – This mode works best during summers when you need to get rid of the excess heat in your room. It also saves power as the compressor works only for a shorter duration in longer cycles.
5. Auto Mode – This is the mode where the air conditioner adjusts it temperature and fan speed to the most efficient one depending on the room temperature.
6. Sleep Mode – This is where the temperature is automatically increased by a degree every hour and is also one of the energy saving modes.
Apart from air conditioners and their modes, there are some other terms that must also be understood well. Here they are:
1. Inverter Air Conditioner – Inverter air conditioner cools faster, consumes less power, has a longer lifecycle and offers enhanced comfort. In this compressor works on variable speed and hence, does not cut off like regular compressor. Hence, maintains same ambient temperature constantly.
2. Non-inverter air conditioner – A non-inverter air conditioner, on the other hand, is less comforting, consumes more power. Here compressor works on on-off principle where it cuts off after achieving desired temperature.
3. Convertible Air Conditioners – In convertible air conditioners, the tonnage can be adjusted depending on the number of people in the room. Thus, it not only provides optimum cooling but also ends up saving energy.
4. AC Filter – An AC filter is basically a mesh layer that’s positioned in the vent of indoor. Its main function is to collect all the dust from the outflowing air, thus improving the quality of air inside the room.
5. Condenser Coil – Condenser coils are metal coils filled with refrigerant liquid and are mainly responsible for cooling the air. Condenser coils come in two variants – copper coil, which is more durable and aluminum coil which is less expensive and not ideal for coastal areas.
6. Wi-Fi – This feature lets you turn on and off the air conditioner remotely so that you can set the temperature before you enter the room.
7. Anti-Bacterial Filter – This one filters out the dust and other microorganisms and smaller substances before pushing out the air in the room.
8. Tonnage – Tonnage is simply the amount of heat removed by the air conditioner per hour. A higher tonnage is an indication of more cooling happening.
9. Stabilizer – The main function of the stabilizer is to automatically maintain a constant voltage level and protect the air conditioner from power fluctuation.
Well, that was some learning done, isn’t it? Now that the heat has dawned upon us, when you step out to buy an air conditioner for your room, don’t forget to do your homework.
