Air Conditioning Buying Guide
An air conditioner provides the most superior and efficient method of cooling compared to traditional fans and evaporative air coolers. There are different types of air conditioners available each with their own advantages and disadvantages. It is important to know the differences between each when looking to purchase an air conditioner to ensure the best suited model is used for the circumstances given. Air conditioners can be classified into two categories - mobile/portable conditioners and split-system units. Find out which is right for you in our complete buying guide
Portable Air Conditioning
A portable air conditioner is the most popular type of air conditioning unit found in a home environment or any situation where versatility is key. As their name suggests, portable/mobile air conditioners are easily transportable and can comfortably be moved around from room to room and between floors. They usually come with an exhaust hose which blows hot air extracted from inside the room, to outside the room. The exhaust hose would need to be vented outside the room, through a window, hole in the wall or into an adjacent room or hallway. The length of the exhaust hose is often around 1 -1.5 metres, and should not be extended, as it will cause heat to back up inside the air conditioner. They are powerful enough to cool all room sizes without the stress of professional installation. They can simply be plugged in, vented and the benefits will be noticed immediately.
Wall Split Air Conditioners
Wall split air conditioners consist of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit is mounted to the wall and is connected to the outdoor unit via a pipe. The outdoor unit can either be installed on the ground or fixed to the wall using brackets. For this reason, wall split air conditioners are often called fixed air conditioners as they are not mobile. These units do require professional installation but they do have the benefit of clearing up floor space and are also quieter than portable/mobile air conditioning units. As well as cooling, wall split air conditioning units are also able to heat rooms efficiently.
Ceiling Cassette Air Conditioning
Similar to wall split units, ceiling cassette air conditioning units require professional installation but are mounted to the ceiling rather than the wall. Similarly, ceiling cassette units can also be used to heat rooms efficiently.
How Does an Air Conditioner Work?
When an air conditioner is switched on, air is drawn into the unit and passes over a cold evaporator coil, where it's cooled and some of the moisture is removed. The air is then re-circulated into the room, reducing the overall temperature and humidity. At the same time, a chemical refrigerant in the system absorbs the heat from the warm air before venting it outside via the hose. This process continues until the room reaches the temperature the thermostat is set to, and then the unit switches off. When the temperature in the room rises again, the thermostat senses this and switches the air conditioner on again until the room cools again to the required temperature. As the air cools, water is released into the air conditioning system. This either empties away through an external drain or is collected in a tank that needs to be emptied when full.