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You just can’t work up the energy to do anything when you’re feeling sweltering hot. The sun is beaming, and sweat has soaked through your clothes as you contemplate what it would feel like to cool down. When this happens, one of the most sensible solutions is an air conditioner. But deciding what type of air cooler will best suit your needs can be tough with all of the different models available on the market today. To help make your decision easier, we’ve compiled a list of 10 features that every potential buyer should take into consideration before making a purchase:
1. Type of air cooler – window, portable, or stand-alone
One of the first things you probably need to decide on is what type of air cooler will be best for your home or business. There are essentially three main types: a window, portable, or stand-alone unit.
Window Unit
These units usually consist of an indoor fan that attaches to the outside of your windows and an attached box that contains the compressor and cooling system. This is a common type of air cooler due to its relatively low initial cost. However, there are some disadvantages to it as well:
- Window units rely on your windows for ventilation and do not function when they are closed. They also very obviously take up quite a bit of space.
- They are quite loud.
- Window units can be expensive to install and run, and putting one in will likely require you to hire a professional for the job.
- The area they cover is usually quite small, making them suitable primarily for single rooms.
Portable Unit
A portable air cooler runs on electricity instead of a compressor, meaning that they are quieter than a window unit (if the noise level is an important factor for you). They also feature wheels, making them relatively easy to move around.
Stand-Alone Unit
A stand-alone air cooler does not need any sort of ventilation other than the room it is placed in and uses its own water supply rather than relying on a drain or water line from your sink or bathtub. They can range in size from about 1 square meter to 10 square meters, with prices ranging accordingly. Stand-alone air coolers are often quite pricey but are very powerful and more likely to be energy efficient as well.
2. Size of the room to be cooled
Another factor you should consider when buying an air cooler is the size of your room. The larger the area you want to cool, the more powerful the unit will be to do so effectively. A – portable air cooler or window unit will work well if you only need it for a small space, but if you have a huge area that needs cooling, it would be best to get a stand-alone one.
3. Type of Cooling System If You Choose One with Compressor
There are two types of cooling systems in an air conditioner: direct expansion (DX) and geared exchange (GE). When choosing between these two, there are three things worth considering: 1) DX units tend to cost less than GE units, 2) DX units are easier to install, and 3) DX systems may be less efficient.
4. Source of Power
Air coolers work by evaporating water; this process requires a large amount of electricity. If the power goes out after your air conditioner has been running for some time, it immediately stops working. This is because as the water in an air cooler evaporates, it collects in a holding tank until it reaches a saturation point where it can no longer hold any more water vapour. When this happens, the unit automatically shuts down to prevent damage to its internal components. The power will have to be restored in order for your unit to function again when this occurs (this can take hours depending on how long you’ve been using it) and can be potentially dangerous.
5. Noise Level
Noise level is also an important factor to consider when buying an air cooler as you will most likely need it to run at night while you sleep, in which case it should be fairly quiet or capable of being placed far enough from your bedroom so that the noise doesn’t bother you. Also, keep in mind that if you install a unit with a window on your wall, the area around it will also likely have to be insulated for soundproofing purposes (unless you don’t mind having machinery thudding against the side of your home every time it works)
Many people opt for a portable air cooler with a window attachment because they are quieter than their counterparts. Portable units are also significantly less expensive to buy and run than their window counterparts. Even though they are fairly inexpensive, portable air coolers can be quite large and may still require some installation level, depending on your needs.
6. Energy Efficiency Rating
The more efficient an air cooler is, the less power it requires to cool a room effectively. Therefore, you should aim for one with an energy efficiency rating (EER) of between 6-10 or higher if possible. Here’s how these numbers correlate:
- EER = 5 – 6: Poor
- EER = 7 – 8: Fair
- EER = 9 – 10: Good
- EER > 10: Very Good
As you can see, cooling systems with a good EER rating can be extremely effective despite using less power than a poorly rated one. Suppose you intend to buy an air cooler with a window attachment. In that case, it is best to ensure that the efficiency rating of the unit you want is higher than those of any other units on your list as they are usually the least efficient option due to their extra features and components.
7. Airflow and cooling power
The cooling power of an air cooler is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). The higher the BTU rating, the more power it has to generate cool air. If you want a powerful unit that will be efficient even at high temperatures, look for one with an airflow of 4 cubic feet per minute or more.
8. Cost considerations (portables are usually cheaper than stand-alone)
A portable air cooler may cost more to run than a stand-alone unit, but they are less expensive to buy. An average-sized window-mounted unit with an energy efficiency rating of 10 will cost about RM1000, while an equally effective yet more affordable portable unit can be bought for under RM400 on Lazada
9. Warranty and guarantee coverage
As stated above, the longer the warranty period, the better because it means you will be covered for more or less an entire year with your purchase (if parts need to be replaced, they will likely have to be shipped).
The best way to check this is by reading customer reviews which should reveal any problems that have been experienced by others who bought your model in question, as well as how effective its warranty has been in resolving such issues. Keep in mind that sometimes manufacturers may not honour warranties if there was a problem that could have been avoided had users followed instructions carefully, so keep all of these things in mind before you buy.
10. Ease of use
You should make sure that your unit is easy to use because you will most likely be using it regularly to regulate temperature, especially during hot weather coming up in several months. It should therefore be simple to operate with features like remote controls available where applicable. An added bonus would also be LED displays for more convenient operation at night without having to turn on lights in order to see what you’re doing while operating the machine. If pushbuttons are used, they should illuminate to pose a problem in case of poorly lit rooms.
Conclusion
Air coolers are an excellent way to keep yourself comfortable during hot summer days and nights. Therefore, you need to choose the right one that will make your stay more bearable without a huge dent in your budget. If you take these things into account, you should be able to find everything you need from the best air cooler with a remote or, in other words, precisely what you’re looking for.