Air conditioning buying guide Was this guide useful? Designed to keep your rooms feeling fresh and comfortable, air conditioners are available in a wide range of sizes, styles and prices brackets, making it easy to find the unit that’s perfect for your needs at Homebase.What types of air conditioners are there?For the purpose of this guide, when we talk about air conditioners we’re referring to portable appliances that draw hot air in, cool it down and then circulate this colder air throughout a room. Though static units are available that can be built into walls and windows, most air conditioning units in the UK are portable, allowing you to move the appliance to wherever it’s needed in your building. How do air conditioners work?When the appliance is switched on, air is drawn into the unit and passed over a cold evaporator coil, where it’s cooled and some of the moisture removed. The air is then re-circulated into the room, reducing the overall temperature and humidity.

At the same time, a chemical refrigerant in the system absorbs the heat from the warm air before venting it to the exterior of your home via a hose. As the air cools, water is released into the air conditioning system. This either empties away through an external drain or is collected in a tank that you can remove and empty when full.How cold can I make a room?All Homebase air conditioning units have a minimum cooling setting of 16˚C or 18˚C and a maximum setting of 32˚C or 35˚C.Though an air conditioner’s effectiveness will depend on the size of the room it’s placed in and the conditions, in general, this should be enough to maintain your perfect temperature, keeping you cool and comfortable whatever the weather.ac unit window coverHow can I ensure my air conditioner is working efficiently?how to install ac unit for house

Ensuring your air conditioner is working efficiently will not only help it to cool your home or office more quickly, it will also keep your energy bills down.When installing your unit, it’s sensible to make sure that the hose expelling the warm air goes directly to an exterior window. If the air escapes inside your home, then your unit won’t be able to cool the space as efficiently.Closing windows and doors will also help to cool your space more efficiently, while keeping blinds and curtains drawn will prevent your interior being heated by the sun.how to fix ac window unitWhat features should I look for in an air conditioner?Adjustable thermostatAn adjustable thermostat allows you to have complete control over the temperature of your room while the unit is operating, which is really important for maintaining a constant, optimum room temperature inside your home or office.1-12 or 1-24 hour timerA timer will allow you to select a specific operating period.

Once this period has ended, the air conditioner will switch itself off, reducing wastage and saving you money.Washable pre-filtersWashable pre-filters remove dust, dirt and hair from the air being drawn into the filter, improving the air quality of your home, and preventing your air conditioner from becoming clogged up and working less efficiently. These filters can then easily be removed, cleaned and replaced.Mode settingsSome air conditioners have up to four different mode settings, allowing you to either cool, dehumidify, fan or heat the air as needed – making them suitable for use whatever the temperature.Energy efficiencyAs with many household appliances, air conditioners are given an energy rating to show their efficiency. A’ rated units are the most efficient and ‘G’ are the least, and the better the efficiency of your air conditioner, the less money it will cost to run.When browsing our great range of portable air conditioning units, you’ll notice that all appliances carry a British Thermal Unit (BTU) rating.

This rating gives an indication of how much cooling the machine is capable of, and the higher the BTU rating, the larger the volume of air the unit can cool.For a general guide on air conditioning costs, the first number of the BTU rating will refer to how much an appliance costs to run per hour in pence. For example, a 9,000 BTU air conditioner will cost 9p per hour to run, and a 12,000 BTU air conditioner will cost 12p per hour. Find your perfect product Let us help you complete your projectIf you have ever replaced the air filter in your air conditioning system, you have probably noticed that there are an overwhelming number of different types available. If you have ever replaced the air filter in your air conditioning system, you have probably noticed that there are an overwhelming number of different types available. Some are thick, some are flat and some are pleated. So which one is the best?In this blog, we’ll break down the different types of air filters into three main categories and briefly explain the pros and cons of each so you can make a more informed decision the next time you purchase an air filter.

Most Sarasota-area homes have just basic air filters in their air conditioning systems. These filters offer the bare minimum in air filtration; they protect your cooling equipment from large particles that can damage your air conditioner, but they do not provide an real indoor air quality improvement.Material: Usually fiberglass or polyesterThickness: 1 to 2 inchesMetal air filter frames with replaceable pads are a step up from your basic fiberglass and polyester filters. They offer the same protection for your air conditioning system but are less expensive to replace.(In fact, if you are a CoolToday customer, you can get these air filters free for life.)Pleated air filters offer more surface area than basic fiberglass filters. Therefore, they last much longer before needing to be changed out. They also capture more and finer airborne particles. Pleated filters can come either in basic widths (1-2 inches) or as larger, more efficient widths (4-5 inches.) The wider pleated filters offer the advantage of being able to capture more pollutants without much restriction in airflow to your air conditioner.