How to Buy an Air Conditioner
Hot Tips for Cooling Off
When the hot weather hits, the luxury of an air conditioner is something that few can turn their noses up at. 
Buying an air conditioner however, is a little more complicated than just going out and getting the biggest and the best to beat the summer heat! Read on for tips on how to purchase an air conditioner and for our top recommendations.
- BTU– British Thermal Units – is the measurement of energy that is recognized worldwide. BTU's refer to the amount of heat an air conditioner can removed from a room in an hour. The higher the BTU rating, the bigger and more powerful the unit.
- EER – Energy Efficiency Rating – is calculated by dividing the BTU's by the number of watts. EER ratings range from 8 - 11.8, and the higher the number the more energy efficient the unit.
- Filter– look for easily removable filters to ensure clean air and efficient operation.
- Fan – circulates the air.
Shop for Air Conditioners
| Window Units |
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| Accessories |
Portable Unit |
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Buying a unit that is too big will result in the room feeling damp, while a unit too small will run continuously without ever effectively cooling your space. Other factors that may influence the BTU required to cool a space are the direction that the room faces, the ceiling height and the number of windows in the room.
The key to purchasing an energy and temperature effective unit is to determine the square footage of your room. You can do this by multiplying the length by the width and then referring to the recommended BTU's by area in the table below:
| 100 - 150 |
5,000 |
| 150 - 250 |
6,000 |
| 250 - 300 |
7,000 |
| 300 - 350 |
8,000 |
| 350 - 400 |
9,000 |
| 400 - 450 |
10,000 |
| 450 - 550 |
12,000 |
| 500 - 700 |
14,000 |
| 700 - 1000 |
18,000 |
There are three main types of air conditioners: Central, Portable and Window units.
Whereas central air conditioners feed cool air throughout the house via a system of ducts, portable and window units are only able to cool one room at a time. Central air conditioning is the most expensive of the 3 options and is usually professionally installed.
Window Units
These are designed for self-installation and will fit into double-hung, sliding and casement windows. They are semi-permanent once installed for the season. Click here to shop all window air conditioners.
Portable Units
Although they may not be the most energy efficient, portable air conditioners can easily be moved between rooms. They are usually on wheels and have a hose that needs to be vented out of a window. Click here to shop all portable air conditioners.
The Energy Star rating on an air conditioning unit means that it meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy.
Saving energy prevents pollution, which makes the Energy Star qualification an important feature for environmentally conscientious buyers. This prestigious stamp guarantees to use at least 10% less energy than conventional models, and usually a built-in timer provides better temperature controls, thereby promoting minimum energy usage.
If every air conditioner were Energy Star qualified, it would prevent 1.2 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions from entering our atmosphere.
- Timer – energy saving feature that can be programmed to automatically switch the unit on or off
- Remote Control – convenient to control temperature, fan speed, etc. from a distance
- Thermostat – will monitor room temperature and ensure that the unit runs only when necessary
- Directional Vents and Louvres – allow you to customize your cooling
- Digital/Electronic Controls – for easier operation and more precise control
- Quiet Operation – operates at quieter levels
- Warranty – at least 1 year
- Slide-out Air Filter – for easy cleaning
- Dehumidifier – if built-in to your air conditioning unit will draw moisture from the air
- Fan Speed – Whirlpool's unique 6th Sense system controls the fan speed. Just set the temperature and the fan speed automatically adjusts to maintain an even temperature at the quietest possible fan speed.
Be sure to follow manufacturer's instructions for the installation of any air conditioner. It is important for window units to be stable for obvious safety reasons. Window units should also be installed in a shaded window if possible to maximize cooling efficiency.
Maintenance is as simple as cleaning the air filter and regularly inspecting and dusting or vacuuming the unit to prevent dirt build-up on the condenser coils.
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