Buying the Best Air Conditioning Unit for Your Home

Key elements to consider when buying an air conditioning unit for your home

Sleeping like a baby? It depends what kind of baby you want to sleep like! If you’ve had enough of those restless, sticky nights and are ready for a comfortable, sound sleep – then it’s probably time to consider installing air con.

But, before you can put those uncomfortable nights behind you, there are a few things to consider when purchasing an air conditioning unit. After all, it is a big investment and something you want to get right the first time around!

We always recommend having an expert inspect your home to ensure you’re choosing the right system for your home, but to help get the ball rolling we thought we’d start by sharing some of the key components with you.

Size matters

Measure up! You don’t want to be stuck with a unit that doesn’t have the capab

ility to cool the areas of your home that you need and want it to. Similarly, you don’t want to be paying more for a unit that’s too large and you can’t use to its full capacity. A consultant will be able to determine what’s an appropriate sized unit for your home or the area(s) you’re wanting to cool.

Split vs. ducted?

Split systems are a great option for quick installation, instant cooling and easy maintenance. The installation of a split system is less complex, and thus cheaper, than that of a ducted system as the set up only requires a small hole for cabling and wiring from the internal unit to the external condenser. Ducted systems are installed in the ceiling with vents placed throughout various rooms, making them ideal for cooling the entire house. Ducted systems have a zoning function, which means specific areas can be switched off when cooling isn’t required – ensuring energy consumption is reduced and not wasted through unnecessary, excess use.

Location location location

There are two important factors when it comes to the location of your unit. Firstly, what room(s) in the house do you want the system to be located? Possibly communal areas like the lounge or perhaps the master bedroom? The next thing to consider is where your unit can be physically located. With split systems, you will require a position outside for the external part of the unit to sit and somewhere in the room for the internal part to be wall-mounted.

Beat AND keep the heat

While you might reside in what’s a predominantly warm climate – don’t forget that those winter nights and mornings can be nippy! Avoid spending extra money on those colder days with a spur of the moment, need-to-warm up, heater purchase. For maximum efficiency, consider installing a unit that has the capability to heat as well as cool, as this will be more cost effective when it comes to energy consumption than a cheap heater. Plus the added bonus is that you won’t have to find space to store the heater throughout the warmer months!