What type of air conditioner should I choose?
During hot weather, there’s nothing like an air conditioner in your home to keep you cool. Do you want to have them installed in your home, but don’t know which model to buy? There are several types of air conditioners and the choice is made according to several criteria. Find out what you need to know about the device to be installed as well as what you need to remember to select the right device.
How does an air conditioner work?
The operation of an air conditioner is similar to that of a refrigerator. A refrigerant circulates through a closed circuit and traps the heat present in the rooms and rejects it outside. Experts recommend a setting of no more than 7°C between the actual temperature and the one programmed into the air conditioner. Indeed, a variation of 4°C is already perceptible and too great a difference could be harmful to health.
Over time, air conditioner models have evolved to become more versatile. The so-called reversible devices were born. They allow to cool the rooms during the hot seasons and to warm the interior of the houses in winter. This system reverses the cycle to return warm air to the rooms in your home.
The different types of air conditioners
There is a wide range of air conditioners. Discover the main types that you can frequently find on the market.
The monobloc air conditioner
The monobloc air conditioner is perfectly adapted to small volumes of rooms to be heated. It consists of a single unit placed inside the room and allows to cool only this room.
A relatively small device, it is easy to install and use. It is also one of the cheapest air conditioners on the market. However, it produces a loud sound, which may disturb the occupants of the room.
The split air conditioner
Then there is the split air conditioner. The name comes from the fact that it consists of at least one outdoor unit and one indoor unit. Two subcategories can be distinguished among the split models: the monosplit and the multisplit.
The monosplit is composed of a single outdoor unit and an indoor unit. The latter is installed in a room of the house. The multisplit consists of an outdoor unit and several indoor units. They are distributed among the different rooms of the house for optimal operation.
The split air conditioner offers a better comfort of use, since it is discreet and silent. In fact, the outdoor unit is the one that produces the most noise and does not disturb the occupants of the house. However, these models are among the most expensive on the market.
The reversible air conditioner
The reversible air conditioner is capable of both cooling and heating the rooms in your home. Thanks to this double function, it is very practical and economical in terms of energy expenditure. Nevertheless, in the middle of winter, it does not allow to replace a real heating system because of its lack of efficiency. It is more used as a complementary heat source.
The reversible air conditioner can be monobloc or split. This additional heating feature makes it more expensive than other models, but the investment is well worth it.
The mobile air conditioner
The mobile air conditioner is the most practical model. It is portable and you can easily move it from one room to another as you wish. The block is fully functional without the need for prior installation. In addition, it takes up little space and is relatively light.
Mobile air conditioner models are affordable, but are reserved for occasional use. Their performance only allows them to cool a single room.
The wall-mounted air conditioner
The wall-mounted air conditioner is attached to a wall in the room. This is the most classic model on the market, but also one of the most efficient. It stands out for its silence and discretion, as it occupies very little space. Its price is average and shows a very good quality/price ratio.
The cassette air conditioner
The cassette air conditioner is a split model that differs from standard splits by the fact that it is installed on the ceiling. It has a higher performance and can cool very large areas, up to 150 m². In addition to being discreet, it is also generally equipped with a reversible function.
The cassette air conditioner is frequently found in commercial and office premises for its performance. Nevertheless, this model is particularly expensive.
How to choose your air conditioner?
Here are some key points you should consider when choosing the right air conditioner model for you:
- The size of your home: consider the size of the living area, as well as the number of rooms to choose the right air conditioner. Generally, a multisplit model is suitable for a house with several rooms and at least one floor. Choose the cassette air conditioner for a large room such as a store;
- The climate where you are located: if you are located in a region where summers are very hot, opt for a split model that is quite efficient. For mild summers, a one-piece model may be sufficient;
- The noise of the device: if you can’t stand noise, choose a split model which will be quieter thanks to its noisy unit placed outside;
- Space requirements: choose the location of your air conditioner before you buy it. Split models are more bulky, taking up space inside and outside the room. Portable models take up the least amount of space, since you can move them around as you please;
- The appliance’s energy label: look at the label on each model before you buy. Different coefficients are present on this label, including EER or coefficient of refrigeration efficiency, SEER or seasonal refrigeration efficiency coefficient, SCOP or power and performance coefficient, and the noise level. The numbers speak volumes about the efficiency, performance and consumption of the device;
- Budget: Finally, choose a model according to your budget. The cheapest models are the monoblocs and portables, while the reversible splits are among the most expensive.