What to Consider When Buying an Air Conditioner
Every Australian family is different and we all have different needs when it comes to choosing an air conditioner.
You might own your own home and want to enhance its value with a top-of-the-line air conditioner. Or perhaps you’re renting a tiny apartment and are only looking for a simple system for a couple of rooms.
To transform your home into a perfect retreat, here’s our checklist with the top 7 things to consider.
1. Your Location
One of the main considerations is where you live. Not only does Australia have some of the hottest temperatures in the world, but also, some fairly chilly ones! At Rapid Cold, we give you a wide range of air conditioning solutions designed for your every home.
Even if temperatures hit as high as 46ºC, don’t sweat it! Our air conditioning systems have advanced technology which help absorb heat from the inside air. It then dissipates it outside, leaving your home cooler.
Even when temperatures fluctuate quickly. By absorbing heat from outside, they warm the air inside, which is a highly energy efficient way to go.
2. Which Type of System?
Rapid Cold offers you a huge choice of air conditioning systems for every type of home. Providing air conditioned comfort for Melbournians for over 10 years, we’re experts when it comes to making the right choice. For example, a Split System is ideal if you just want to air condition one room or a specific area. Choose from attractive wall mounted or compact floor standing units that give you reverse cycle heating and cooling.
Beat the heat in a number of rooms with a Multi-Head and have the flexibility to control each room individually. Using only a single outdoor unit, you can connect as many as 8 indoor units. Choose the perfect unit to blend in unobtrusively with your home’s décor. From our range of wall mounted, floor standing, bulkhead, cassettes and ceiling suspended units, there will be something for you.
For the ultimate discreet comfort throughout your home, a Ducted system features the latest technology for year-round enjoyment. A ducted air conditioning system consists of an indoor and outdoor unit and flexible ducting. The indoor unit is concealed out of sight in your ceiling or under the floor. Flexible ducting distributes conditioned air through air vents located throughout your home.
3. Power, Size and Style
You may think that all air conditioners are created equal, but there’s a huge difference in their size and power. The one that’s right for you depends on how big or small your space is, the number of rooms, as well as other factors. Choose an air conditioner that’s appropriate for your room size and it will operate much more efficiently. If it’s oversized, it will waste energy. While an undersized model will strain to maintain its temperatures and wear out a lot sooner.
Before you choose your air conditioner, here are some important things to consider which can be best determined by an air conditioning expert such as a qualified dealer.
Room Size
The size of your room or the area you wish to air condition will be a key indicator for the capacity size and power you will need. The larger the area the higher the air conditioner capacity required. Your air conditioner expert will measure the floor area and height of the room to help determine the most suitable size air conditioner for your home.
Insulation
The better the insulation in the walls and ceiling of the room, the lower the air conditioner capacity required.
Window Size
The size of your window and insulating properties of the glass will have a greater effect on the size of the air conditioner than the walls and ceilings of the room. Having larger windows in a room may mean a larger capacity system is required because the room its less insulated.
Aspect
Rooms that are facing east or west may need a different capacity air conditioner compared to a north facing room. This is due to the influence of the sun.
Climate
Homes built near the coast will require different capacity air conditioners compared to inland suburbs or cities.
Looks
Along with size and power, it’s important to think about how your air conditioning system will look inside your home. Will it match your décor and style? Check out Daikin’s designer Zena range or Mitsubishi Electric’s LN and EF series. For example, with ducted air conditioning, the indoor unit is concealed out of sight and only the controller, return air and discharge grilles are visible inside your home. It’s a discreet way to air condition your entire home, without compromising its designer looks.
4. Energy Efficiency
The easiest way to gauge your system’s energy efficiency is to check its energy star rating. This government initiative is designed to help you make an informed choice. The more stars there are, the more energy you’ll save and the less it will cost to run.
Split System air conditioners are the most energy efficient air conditioners you can buy. In fact, the most energy efficient Split System in Australia is the Daikin US7*, with a 7-star ‘super efficiency’ rating. Reverse Cycle air conditioners have two kinds of star ratings – blue to show how efficient it is when cooling, and red for heating.
Other features can also help you save electricity. For example, Daikin Split Systems with ‘Intelligent Eye’, will reset to the most energy efficient level if a room is unoccupied for 20 minutes. They cleverly return to the original setting if someone re-enters the room, saving energy in the meantime.
5. Air Quality
It’s important to choose an air conditioner that will improve the quality of the air you breathe. Some air conditioners don’t just filter particles and dust, but also let you control humidity in the room. This helps prevent conditions associated with dry skin, throats and eyes and is ideal if you’re sleeping with the air-conditioner on.
If people in your family have asthma, hay fever or allergies, keep in mind that all Daikin Split Systems are approved by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice® program and are the only Split Systems in Australia that carry its blue butterfly symbol.
6. Functions and Features
Now it’s time for the fun part – choosing the air conditioner features that make your life even easier and breezier.
Daikin air-conditioners come with a variety of intelligent features to give you that extra level of comfort, economy and convenience. Here are just a few:
- Wi-Fi Smart Device Connectivity(optional extra)
You can set and schedule the temperature in your home from anywhere using your smartphone device. The Daikin D-Mobile app is free to download from the App store or Google Play. It’s perfect for coming home to a beautifully cool or warm home after you’ve been out and about. - Presence Sensor
Our 2-Area Intelligent Eye infrared sensor directs air away from people in the room to prevent cold draughts and switches to energy efficient mode if people leave the room for more than 20 minutes. - Comfort Mode and 3D Airflow
It’s easy to adjust the angle of cooling on your Daikin Split system and enjoy the vertical and horizontal auto-swing technology that circulates air to every corner of large spaces. - Noise Reduction
Daikin’s exclusive compressor engineering and aero fan designs result in whisper-quiet operation, so you hardly even know the air conditioner is on. - Sleep Mode
This energy efficient feature gently adjusts the temperature to a comfortable level while you enjoy a blissful night’s sleep.
Note: Not all features are available on all Daikin models.
7. Your Budget
An air conditioning system is a big investment in your home and price is something to consider. Ask yourself how long you want to stay where you are. There’s no sense in installing a ducted system if you’re planning to relocate soon. Alternatively, it can be a great asset if you wish to enhance your lifestyle and add significant value.
Speak to a Rapid Cold Rep about the best solution to match your budget.
As you can see, it’s well worth thinking about all the ins and outs of buying an air conditioning system before you make your final choice. We hope you’ve found our checklist has been a big help.
Source: Daikin
