Ask any air-conditioning salesperson what their busiest day of sales is, and inevitably they’ll tell you, “The first hot day of the year.” Why so many people wait until it gets hot before thinking of buying an air conditioner remains one of life’s unsolvable mysteries! But when those sweltering dog days of summer have you screaming for some relief, you’ve just got to cool down the house. So, the question is, which is more energy efficient and cost-effective: a portable unit that you can move from room-to-room, or a central air conditioning system that cools the whole house but costs much more. Portable units have become increasingly popular and many are designed for use in any room of the house. Larger models that are equipped with wheels can be moved from room-to-room conveniently and without any installation problems. One argument for the portable cooling option is that it’s usually only being used in the room that you’re in; therefore you’re not wasting cold air in rooms that you’re not occupying.

Now if you’re considering getting a portable air conditioner, you need to consider the area you want to cool. Keep in mind that you should buy a portable unit based on the size of the area you want to cool. If you select a model that doesn’t have sufficient power to work efficiently in a given space, you will be wasting money as the unit works overtime to vent warm air and provide adequate cooling. Either way, consider getting an ENERGY STAR certified model, as it will be more energy efficient. Nevertheless, in comparison to other cooling options, such as window-mounted AC units and central air, portable units are, for the most part, less energy efficient in general. That is just an inherent part of the design of movable air conditioning. But if it’s transportability that you’re looking for, then you may consider the convenience of a portable unit worth those extra energy costs. It all comes down to your needs. In the long run, central air conditioning is the most energy efficient way of cooling a home and will add value to a property.

Your best bet is to do a little homework before you purchase in order to find out what type of air conditioning system will meet your needs based on your home, space, and of course your budget. weight of window ac unitTalk to your local certified RESNET HVAC Contractor for good advice on what your most cost-effective solutions are.much will 4 ton ac unit cool Vast Majority of U.S. Homes Are Under Insulatedgas for air conditioning units It’s hard to believe but 90% of existing American homes are under insulated. That means 90% of existing American homes are... How to Warm Your Home Without a Heater Now that we’re in the middle of winter, don’t panic if your heater breaks down! Believe it or not, there are a number of...

Don’t Let A High Energy Bill Haunt Your Halloween! It’s that time of year again when ghosts, ghouls and goblins emerge from their dark recesses to stalk the earth, but they...Written There are two factors you need to consider when you buy an Air Conditioner.Your usage patterns and The type of room you will cool with it.check bottom of following page for more detailsTop Ten Air Conditioners in India by electricity consumption and sizeThe efficiency of AC is measured in EER (energy efficiency rating) , ie BEE star ratings. The below links will give you details on efficiency. Remember there are many factors other than the size of the room like Direction of windows, no of doors, roof exposure to direct sunlight determine the type of AC you need. The calculator at the end of this webpage will help you make an informed decisionAir conditioner selection: understand Tonnage, EER, COP and Star RatingDifference between a BEE 5 star rated and Inverter Technology Air ConditionerUnderstand What is ISEER and Star Labeling of Inverter Air Conditioners in India - Bijli BachaoRemember that ACs are high maintenance units , especially Split ACs.

You alos have to consider cost of repairs and quality and strength of after sales service of the brand you purchase.The link provided above will help you make an informed decision.Also remember, preferably don't buy ACs online, and if you are buying online call up the Brand before you buy to confirm that they will provide service and warranty coverage.If you buy from a Local retailer, always bargain hard.... Usually they provide discounts of up to 2o-25 percent (on MRP) if you negotiate rightMy opinionsMy personal opinion will be suggest an inverter model as inverter ACs are generally better built and cost about 20% more than 5 star AC of came capacity from the same brand. The money saved on lower energy costs will offset the initial higher price paid.And remember to go for an comprehensive extended warranty and maintenance plan for any AC you buy.... the cost is nominal if you buy these plans before expiry off manufacturer warranty periodWhen it comes to brands Hitachi is best in India in my opinion in terms of build quality and after sales service.

Along with Hitachi, Daikin and Carrier is also good for inverter ACsLG and Samsung are good in Inverter AC in terms of Value for money, but get an extended warranty compulsorily on these Korean brandsFinally look at various stores and prices before buying your product.Central air conditioning systems can last from 15 to 20 years. Sticking with an older unit may be less expensive in the short run, but not when it comes to helping you save money off monthly utility bills. Here’s some information to help you make a better decision when it comes time to get a new, energy-efficient central air conditioner. If you’re wondering whether it’s time to replace or upgrade your central air conditioning system, here are a few facts that might help: - In the average air-conditioned U.S. home, air conditioners use more than 2000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. - Producing the electricity needed to air condition the average U.S. home causes the average power plant to emit about 3500 pounds of carbon dioxide and 31 pounds of sulfur dioxide per year.

- The most energy-efficient air conditioners on the market today consume 30 percent to 50 percent less energy than models manufactured in the mid 1970s. - Even if your air conditioner is just 10 years old, upgrading to a new energy-efficient air conditioner could save you from 20 percent to 40 percent off your cooling costs. If you decide to replace or upgrade your central air conditioning system, the first thing you’ll need to know is whether you have a split-system central air conditioner or a packaged central air conditioner. Split-system central air conditioners are made up of an outdoor metal cabinet containing the condenser and compressor and an indoor cabinet containing the evaporator, which in many split-system air conditioners, also contains a furnace or the indoor part of a heat pump. Packaged central air conditioners contain the evaporator, condenser and compressor in a single outdoor metal cabinet, usually placed on a concrete slab next to a home’s foundation.

From the cabinet, air supply and return ducts enter a home through its exterior wall and connect to a series of internal supply and return ducts in order to circulate cool air throughout a home. Packaged air conditioners usually include a natural gas furnace or electric heating coils and eliminate the need for a separate indoor furnace. If your home already has a furnace but no air conditioner, then installing a split-system air conditioner is the most economical choice. When shopping for an energy-efficient central air conditioner, you’ll need to research a system’s seasonal energy efficiency ratio, or SEER, which indicates how much energy a model uses to produce a specific cooling output. If you have an older system, chances are it has a SEER rating of 6 or less. Since Jan. 23, 2006, models have been required by the Environmental Protection Agency to have a minimum SEER rating of 13, which require 30 percent less energy to run than models manufactured with the previous minimum SEER rating of 10.

The most energy-efficient central air conditioners on the market today are ENERGY STAR–certified with SEER ratings greater than 13. Buying a new central air conditioning system doesn’t have to be intimidating. Here are a few tips on what you should look for in a new system: - Size matters when it comes to a new central air conditioner. If your unit is too small, it will have to work too hard to cool your home, which can result in higher electric bills and damage to components. It may not even be able to reach comfortable temperatures on hot days. If your unit is too big, it will cycle on and off too quickly, which will prevent the unit from removing humidity from the air and can also damage components. Only a right-sized unit will provide the performance, operating life and energy efficiency you expect. Know your home’s square footage and consult with an HVAC contractor before you make a purchase. - Partial replacement may not be ideal. Although you can replace the outdoor compressor on an older model with a modern, high-efficiency unit, you should consult a local HVAC contractor to make sure that the compressor is properly matched to the rest of the older system.