Tips on Buying a New Air Conditioner

[annie]

This informative guide will tell you everything you need to know to find the perfect air conditioner for your home.

What type of air conditioner do I need?



Air conditioners come in four main types: window units, through the wall units, portable units and whole house/central air units. Window units come in three main flavors: double-hung windows, sliding windows and casement windows.

Window units will usually convert between types with special hardware, which is often included. Small through the wall units will often convert into window units. Large through the wall, and central air units usually require professional installation, which adds to the cost.

What features do I need?

You should expect the unit to have an adjustable thermostat, at least two cooling speeds, two fan speeds and an energy efficient setting, which stops the fan when the unit is not cooling. The unit should have an adjustable vent, which allows you to aim the cool air, and an exhaust vent setting allowing fresh air to be introduced from outside. The filter should be easily accessible for removal and cleaning. You want a manufacturer's warrantee for at least 5 years, with full replacement for at least 1 year.

Some of the newer units have an electrostatic filter available either standard or as an option. This filter will remove extremely small particles from the air. This is a super feature for people with allergies.

What is EER?

EER or Energy Efficiency Ratio is a measure of how efficient a particular air conditioning unit is. The higher the number, the more efficient the unit and the less it will cost each year to run. Small units currently have a top EER of about 11, while the most efficient large units have an EER of about 13. Don't be fooled by the ranges shown on the yellow tags. The top rated units are often beyond the range.

What cooling capacity do I need?

Cooling capacity is measured in BTU/hour. (British Thermal Units per Hour) The higher the number, the more powerful the unit is. A small room of 150 square feet may only need a 5000 BTU/Hour unit, whereas a room of 1200 square feet may need a 19,000 BTU/Hour monster.

However, room size is not the only factor that contributes to the capacity. There are many other factors including:

· the number and size of the windows
· the direction the room faces
· the available shade
· how well the room is insulated
· how many people use the room
· what appliances (computers etc.) are in the room

The little chart the salesman uses is woefully inadequate. The easiest way to calculate the required size is to use one of the on-line guides. There are many available. Look to see what figures the guide of your choice requires, then measure your room. I liked the one in the free area of the Consumer Reports site best:

Which AC should I buy?

You should buy the unit of the correct capacity and type that has the highest EER, if you can afford it. Buying a unit of lower EER that costs less is usually a false economy. However, in areas with very short cooling seasons, or extremely cheap power, a lower cost unit may be a good buy

[annie]

Airconditioners are like cars, in the sense that they are appliances that just do what they need to do. No frills necessary. LG though is throwing in a little more luxury on its line of air conditioners, particularly the LG Health+ Inverter airconditioner model. To sum it up, this room cooler is silent, energy saving, healthy, and stylish. It's designed to make only 19dB worth of noise while operating, which is said to be almost inaudible to people. It does this by quickly working at maximum capacity to get the room to the desired temperature, in which it then switches to a variable compressor speed to maintain the temperature. LG's inverter technology plays a major role in reducing vibration, and hence, reducing the annoying buzz. LG also brags that this model's the most efficient air conditioner in the industry with an Energy Efficiency Ration (EER) of 13.80.

Health-wise, the LG uses multiple filters to clean the air: an anti-bacterial pre-filter, a triple deodorizing filter, a sterilizing plasma filter, a virus safety filter, and a built-in ionizer for sterilization.It's also design to clean itself and coated with anti-corrosive coating on the heat exchanger's surface. I wonder how Dexter's going to keep his slides in this one.

[annie]

LG Split Air Conditioner are available in various tonnage and star ratings with power packed features like jet cool, intelloeye, neo plazma, auto clean, 4 way swing, Anti-Bacteria Filter. The one-of-its-kind, revolutionary Aero DNA technology creates the perfect indoor air for you by managing five critical constituents that define air quality. Hence, giving you ultimate in comfort. You can choose from a wide range of Split ACs available in 1 to 5 star rating and from 0.75 Tonne to 2.0 Tonne.

[annie]

Let's look at keeping you cool. No, I don’t mean how to hang on to your temper when the guy cuts you off in traffic.

I mean how Whirlpool can help you to keep your home and loved ones cool in the onslaught of summer humidity and blazingly warm temperatures that are brought to us by the global warming.

From the most trusted name in household appliances comes this summer’s smartest, most intelligent range of cooling solutions. The Whirlpool Mastermind series of Air Conditioners. Built to perfection and loaded with host of unique features, the Mastermind series offers the best of technology, design and unbeatable built quality to meet your cooling requirements at an unbelievably affordable cost.

[annie]

Whirlpool Split AC Price List

Aviator V
1 Ton, 5 Star
6th Sense
30 min, Fast Forward Co...
Self Diagnostic
Around You
Power Saver
MRP:Rs.27790

Aviator III
1 Ton, 3 Star
6th Sense
30 min, Fast Forward Cooling System
Self Diagnostic
Around You
Power Saver
Dim on Remote Control
Rs.23690*


Aviator V
1.5 ton , 5 Star
6th Sense
30 min, Fast Forward Co...
Self Diagnostic
Around You
Power Saver
Rs.33490*

Aviator III
1.5 ton , 3 star
6th Sense
30 min, Fast Forward Co...
Self Diagnostic
Around You
Power Saver
Rs.28290*

Chrome V
1 Ton , 5 Star
6th Sense
Self Diagnostic
LCD Wireless Remote Con...
Indicator (front panel)
Rs.24890*

[annie]

LG Split AC Price list

LG LSA7JW2CFC1 2.0 Ton Split Air Conditioner Price – Rs.47,000
LG LSA5NW3VF1 1.5 Ton Split Air Conditioner Price – Rs.27,000
LG LSA3NW2VF1 1.0 Ton Split Air Conditioner Price – Rs.19,400
LG LSUC2BW1AF1 0.75 Ton Split Air Conditioner Price – Rs.15,000
LG LSNC2BW1AF1 0.75 Ton Split Air Conditioner Price – Rs.15,000
LG LSA3CW2VF1 1.0 Ton Split Air Conditioner Price – Rs.19,000
LG LSA3NW2VF1 1.0 Ton Split Air Conditioner Price – Rs.19,400
LG LSA3QW2VF1 1.0Ton Split Air Conditioner Price – Rs.19,400
LG LSA3QW2VF2 1.0 Ton Split Air Conditioner Price – Rs.19,400
LG LSA3FG2VTY1 1.0 Ton Split Air Conditioner Price – Rs.20,000
LG LSA3QW2VFR1 1.0 Ton Split Air Conditioner Price – Rs.20,000

[annie]

1, Use ceiling or table fan as first line of defence against summer heat. Ceiling fans, for instance, cost about 30 paise an hour to operate – much less than air conditioners (Rs.10.00 per hour).



2, You can reduce air-conditioning energy use by as much as 40 percent by shading your home’s windows and walls. Plant trees and shrubs to keep the day’s hottest sun off your house.

3, One will use 3 to 5 percent less energy for each degree air conditioner is set above22°C (71.5°F), so set the thermostat of room air conditioner at 25°C (77°F) to provide the most comfort at the least cost.

4,Using ceiling or room fans allows you to set the thermostat higher because the air movement will cool the room.
5, A good air conditioner will cool and dehumidify a room in about 30 minutes, so use a timer and leave the unit off for some time.
6, Keep doors to air-conditioned rooms closed as often as possible.

7, Clean the air-conditioner filter every month. A dirty air filter reduces airflow and may damage the unit. Clean filters enable the unit to cool down quickly and use less energy.

8, If room air conditioner is older and needs repair, it’s likely to be very inefficient. It may work out cheaper on life cycle costing to buy a new energy-efficient air conditioner.