April 29, 2013, 6:35 am Guide to buying air conditioners Ready to stick that shovel in storage? Even if we get another spring snowstorm, before we know it we’ll be talking about the heat and cranking up the A/C. Summers can be steamy at 5,280-feet, and whether you’ve been suffering without one or are in need of a new one, it’s time to start thinking about buying air conditioners. We checked in with Colleen Maiura, spokesperson for Lowe’s, for advice on keeping your cool when shopping for the right model (Central? Know the different varieties. For best results, Maiura says, select a room air conditioning unit that best fits your space. Window air conditioners mount in a window and can be easily removed for seasonal use. Portable air conditioners are ideal for spot-cooling and can be quickly and easily moved from room to room as needed and then stored when not in use. Remember, portable units still require ventilation through a window. Through-the-wall air conditioners fit through a hole in an exterior wall, installed in a sleeve which supports the weight of the unit.

These units do not require a window for installation and can offer year-round cooling and supplemental heating. Ductless mini-split systems allow you to heat and/or cool without ductwork or windows, serving as an efficient solution when only certain rooms need heating and cooling. Without large vents and openings, mini-split systems are much more energy efficient than either central air conditioning systems or window air conditioning units. Select the right size. Determine your room’s square footage, Maiura says, as that will determine the BTUs you need. Then choose the correct BTUs for your square footage: 150 sf = 5,000 BTU 216 sf = 6,000 BTU 350 sf = 8,000 BTU 500 sf = 10,000 BTU 640 sf = 12,000 BTU 900 sf = 15,100 BTU 1,170 sf = 18,500 BTU 1,672 sf = 25,000 BTU“Always carefully read the installation manual before beginning paying special attention to danger and safety notices from the manufacturer,” Maiura adds. Also make sure your window meets the unit requirement, that your home has the appropriate outlet and check the unit’s packaging for plug type.

Look for cool new features. “Energy Saver Mode is a great feature that will help save energy and money,” Maiura says. “Once the air conditioner reaches the set temperature, the compressor will turn off — while the fan will continue to run for one minute after. The fan then cycles on for 20 seconds at 10 minute intervals until the room temperature is above the set temperature, at which time the compressor turns back on.” A unit with Sleep Mode will increase the selected temperature by 2°F 30 minutes after the mode is selected, according to Maiura. The temperature will then increase by another 2°F after an additional 30 minutes. This new temperature will be maintained for seven hours before it returns to the originally selected temperature. “This mode helps to save energy during the evening hours, she says. “Also, since body temperature tends to cool during slumber, the increase in temperature creates a comfortable environment. Learn the right terms. Maiura suggests familiarizing yourself with this lingo before you start shopping:

BTU or British Thermal Unit is the unit of measure for room air conditioners. The higher the BTU, the more cooling capacity. However, an air conditioner unit that is too large for a space will cycle on and off frequently, causing the room to feel damp, clammy and uncomfortable.home ac unit fan motor EER or Energy Efficiency Ratio measures how many BTUs per hour are used for each watt of power. outside ac unit fan not turningThe higher the EER rating, the more efficient the air conditioner.gas heating units for apartments Slide-Out Chassis models are typically larger, and offer a two part installation solution. Since larger units are heavier, slide-out chassis models offer an easier installation solution. First install the outer cabinet/shell of the AC in the window, then slide the interior of the air conditioner into place.

Slider/Casement Air Conditioners are a specific type of unit that is for use in horizontal slider/casement windows. Save money: 56 things to do instead of spending (guest post) Ten Tips for a Successful Garage Sale RSS feed for comments on this post.With the increased effects of global warming and climate change, temperatures have continuously gone up to unimaginable levels. This has brought about heat waves, people fainting, discomfort, fatigue, less employee productivity, among other effects. There is need to counter these challenges and the safest and artificial way to address this is through installing desirable Air Conditioner. Window air conditioning basically refers to the process by which fresh air is siphoned into an enclosed room or building, goes through refrigeration process and it’s released or exposed to the rest of the room. Heat and humidity is absorbed from the room and conditioned air is distributed sparingly thus improving the quality of indoor air and enhancing thermal comfort.

The process of purifying this air and cooling it is achieved via a series of refrigeration cycles, evaporation or just free cooling. The device that carries out the above process is referred to as an Air Conditioner . Since the market is flooded with a variety of brands and models of this reputable appliance, it is imperative for one to exclusively decide on the desired type. A person always intends to buy something that will be a good investment to them and also enable them to achieve the desired goal for purchasing the item. To achieve all these, one must have in mind the following considerations in order to purchase the most exclusive conditioner. For one to get the best results, he/she has to consider the space of the room he wants to cool. The cooling power of a window Air Conditioner is measured in British Thermal Units (BTU). Therefore, one needs to select a unit with a BTU level best fit his space. This is because a window Air Conditioner with a less BTU will need to operate continuously trying to cool a bigger room hence increasing electricity bill.

While one with more BTU level than your space won’t cool your space uniformly hence leaving your room with a mixture of hot and cold air. A good conditioner is one which produces less sound or better still does not make any noise. This quiet air conditioner is good for infants and people with hearing impairment. This can be achieved by checking the reviews and customer ratings for different models. To ensure that they remain in good condition, window air conditioners require frequent cleaning and maintenance. An exclusive conditioner is one that is easy to clean. Therefore, select one which you can easily slide out to clean with minimal technicalities. Select an equipment that is Energy Star certified to ensure that it uses less energy in order to save you meager electricity bills. Consider an automated air conditioner that switches itself off whenever the set threshold temperature is achieved. Being a great investment, ensure you choose a brand that has a reputation of a long life span.

To determine this, you read different customers reviews to know which brand is considered by majority as long lasting. Warranty is a must have for any equipment that one wants to purchase. Select a brand which has a longer warranty since this gives you the confirmation of good quality and also replacement in case the window AC becomes faulty within the stipulated warranty period. Ensure that your home’s electrical system can handle the equipment’s power needs. If you prefer a model that uses a greater power voltage,then you will need an electrician to set it up for you.It’s therefore advisable to select a brand that is compatible with your outlet. Check the plug design from the packaging of the window air conditioner. To get the desired Air Conditioner, select one with clear installation instructions on the manual or alternatively, get help from the agent on installing your appliance. Ensure your window is near an extension where the Air Conditioner can be plugged into.

Also ensure that the window chosen is in a shade in order for your Air Conditioner to work effectively with less energy. There are many more factors to consider, you can get more from the shop you are purchasing the Air Conditioner from. 1. The installation process of an Air Conditioner is straight forward since the instructions are directly step-wise. 2. Window air conditioner do not require any floor space since they are installed on a window, thereby becoming very convenient for people living in small apartments. 3.These appliances are not very expensive to purchase, since their price depend on the brand. 4.ACs are useful in many places as long as the place has a window. 5. Enhances employee productivity throughout comfortable environment. ACs are suitable for cooling rooms during summer season by getting rid of hot humid air and supplying cool air into a room. The appliances are also suitable for people who have a small floor space since it brings comfort.