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Having an air conditioner at home or in your office is an investment that is well worth it. However, since it comes with a significant expense, it is a decision that needs careful planning. Beyond the expense, part of the other considerations you need to make is the size of the air con that would work for you.
This part of the process is difficult for some people because they don't know what would work best for them. So, how do you work out the size of the air conditioner you need? Read on to uncover the answer.
Research Before Buying An Air Conditioner
You may have researched the type of air-con that best suits you; if not, it is recommended that you do so. You should have some information on how they work, the sizes, and the available types. Features like running costs, innovative technology, and aesthetics are so important that you cannot afford to overlook them.
Where bad choices are made, it can lead to disappointing results and, in some cases, increasing energy bills. You should avoid these things even before choosing the type of air conditioner you want.
Does The Size Of An Air Conditioner Matter?
This should sound like a familiar cliché to anyone, but honestly, an accurately sized air conditioner does matter. It may be the most crucial consideration you must make before purchasing.
If you end up with an air con that is too small, it will probably not be able to cool or heat your room effectively. If you have an oversized or sizable air conditioner, it may not be efficient enough and could be too expensive to run.
You must realise that there is a difference between size regarding output and size regarding physical dimensions. You should also remember that air conditioner size refers to the appliance's ability to produce warm and cool air. The size of air conditioners is measured in kW (kilowatts); at times, measurements may be given in BTU (British Thermal Units).
Simply put, size connotes output or, in more technical terms, can be referred to as a duty. The efficiency and running costs of your AC system would be determined to a large extent by the duty.
Do Bigger Air Cons Work Better Than Small Ones?
When a unit is oversized for a particular area, it can cause too much pressure on the air-con system's component. There would be a high cost to run this system, and if the system packs up, the repair cost would also be significant.
You may not know a unit's efficiency or power by its physical size. Technological advancement has made it possible for some smaller units to be of compact design. Such a design allows smaller units to offer more than the bulkier systems, which are also older.
It is usual to see large systems stop and start frequently. A pattern such as this means that they would be less energy efficient, which can cause an increase in energy bills. Maintaining an optimum temperature may be a struggle, and you may discover that the room is either too cold or too hot.
Installing the correct size air conditioner unit will effortlessly maintain an optimum temperature in your room.
Do Undersized Units Result In Reduced Bills?
One would expect that since oversized air conditioners result in increased energy bills, undersized air cons should also lead to reduced energy bills. On the contrary, undersized AC units will have to run constantly, whether ducted air systems or split systems.
Most likely, they would need more power to distribute and maintain cooled or heated air around the room. When this occurs, there would be higher energy bills to contend with. Using an undersized unit can also adversely affect your budget through maintenance costs.
Neglecting air conditioning maintenance as and when due could lead to premature wear and tear, the unit malfunctioning or breaking down, and eventually, a shortened life span.
Other Factors About Aircons Worth Considering
There are other variables worth considering when selecting an air conditioner, as they may impact the function of the AC.
Amount of insulation
Where there is adequate insulation, the efficiency of your air conditioner will be directly affected. So if your property is not well-insulated, you will need to consider this when conducting a size calculation for the air conditioner you will need. Homes and workplaces that are poorly insulated may need air conditioners that have a higher output.
Direction the room is facing
Rooms that face south are exposed to more heat and sunlight. So if your room faces this direction, you will gain more heat. More pressure is put on air conditioners that are installed in south-facing rooms. For this reason, you need to create additional allowances with your calculations.
Location of the room
Warm air is lighter; therefore, it rises. Air conditioners installed in a loft space will work more for cooling and hence require more cooling capacity than the ones used on the ground floor of a building.
Appliances used in the room
If an air conditioner is used for cooling in a typical residential space, it may be expected that the other appliances used should not affect the room's capacity too much. You can even use the same type of air conditioner in a room with no appliances or a residential kitchen with a big fridge and other cooking appliances.
Suppose you want to install an air conditioning system to cool a space like a commercial kitchen with several appliances. You should do whatever it takes to reduce the heat generated internally.
The other appliances in such a place are likely to create heat, and for this reason, a higher capacity air conditioner than what is used in a residential area of the same size would be needed.
If you are considering an air conditioning system for this type of room, the best thing to do is to have an air conditioning estimator inspect the room. These experts can recommend the best kind of air conditioner for this space. Rooms with many computers/servers usually have intense heat loads per square metre.
Number of people using a room
People produce heat from their bodies through perspiration and respiration. So you can expect that a room with a large number of people will be hotter than another room of the same size but with no one in it.
Meeting rooms and auditoriums are some of the rooms where you usually find very high heat loads per square metre due to high people density. When determining the size of AC that would suit a room, you should make assumptions about the total number of people that will use the room.
Type of AC system
There are different air conditioning systems: window air conditioners, portable air conditioners, ducted air conditioners, and split system air conditioners. It is common to find many people using a particular air conditioning system.
For example, most people within an area may prefer to use split systems for their homes and offices. However, all types of air conditioners have pros and cons, and it is vital to go for the one that best suits your needs. You have to do your due diligence before buying any one of them.
Consult An Air Conditioning Expert
Working out the size of the air conditioner you need is one thing; calculating the installation cost is another. The installation of different types of air con comes with different cooling and heating requirements.
As you decide on the type and size of air conditioner you want, you should clearly understand the cost implications of installing it. This is an important area where you need the input of a professional.
These people can help you with detailed explanations of the type of air conditioner size that will work for your space and also give you an estimate of the budget you will require.
