Once you have decided which rooms you want to cool and have chosen the type of air conditioner that is fit for purpose, you need to determine the power of the unit. The air conditioner should be selected taking into account the size of the room to be cooled. Standard calculations suggest that a room of 1 m3 volume requires approximately 25 W of cooling power, taking into account that the rooms have a standard height, modern glazing and good insulation.
The location of the space must also be taken into account. Rooms with a south and south-west orientation and with larger glass surfaces need more cooling power and consequently more powerful air-conditioning. You will need more power if there are heat sources such as computers, a TV set or a cooker in the room and if there are more people in the room.
Consultation with your dealer or technical staff is recommended.
Air conditioning efficiency and economy
The efficiency of an air conditioner is defined as the ratio of energy input to energy output. Cooling efficiency is measured by the SEER coefficient. The higher this coefficient, the more economical the air conditioner. For heating, the efficiency is denoted by the SCOP. The higher this coefficient, the more economically the air conditioner heats your home.
Both coefficients can be found on the energy performance certificate of the appliance.
However, it is important to know that the efficiency of appliances depends on the outside and inside temperature. The greater the temperature difference, the harder the air conditioner has to work and the lower the efficiency. Before buying, ask your dealer about the efficiency of the air conditioner at different outside temperatures.
Air conditioner volume
When choosing an air conditioner, you should also check how loud it is. You bought an air conditioner to keep you cool, not to make you noisy. Modern air conditioners run quieter than the rustling of leaves on trees, giving you a peaceful night's sleep. However, it's a good idea to check how loud the air conditioner you're buying is. You can find the volume rating in the product description.
Indoor air treatment
Air conditioners are not just devices for cooling and heating the air, but also for improving indoor air quality. They control humidity, filter the air, remove dust particles, allergens and other dangerous particles and ionize the air.
Easy to use air conditioning
Modern air conditioners have become smart appliances. They allow different cooling settings, detect when you are in the room, direct the air flow, detect the strength of the sunlight, etc. Before buying, check which functions you would need and whether the air conditioner you choose provides them.
It is also important that the air conditioner is easy to operate. Recently, WI-Fi-enabled air conditioners have become increasingly popular, allowing you to control the air conditioner from your mobile phone.