Isn’t it getting hotter by the day? Summer has already started knocking at our doors and the time is just right to start planning to take on the sweltering heat of May-June and itchy humid weather of July-August head-on. The answer is simple. Start looking for the right air conditioner for your home. A right sized AC is the one that you buy keeping in mind the size of your room, ambient climate, amount of light coming into the room, area of windows, direction of windows, floor number, number of people occupying the room, number of lights and computers in the room. Here is an easy three step guide to help you buy the right AC (air conditioner): 1. Tonnage: Is bigger the better? Ton or Tonnage measures the cooling capacity of an air conditioner as per the size and requirement of the room. The cooling capacity of an AC is its ability to extract a certain amount of heat from a room in an hour, which is measured in Btu/hr (British thermal unit/hour). The AC is considered to be more powerful when the Btu/hr value is higher.

The Btu for an AC usually ranges from 5,000 to 24,000, with 12,000 Btu being equivalent to one ton. When it comes to air conditioners, bigger is not necessarily better – an oversized air-conditioner is less effective and less energy efficient. If the unit is too large, it will cool the room quickly, but only remove some of the humidity, leaving the room damp. A right sized unit removes humidity effectively as it cools. In order to cool a room uniformly while maximising efficiency, the direction of the cooled air should be delivered to the center of the room rather than the left or right. Here is an approximation to assist you in picking the right sized AC for your room: The actual tonnage considers a number of factors such as the actual size of the room, ambient climate, amount of light that enters the room, area and direction of windows, the floor on which your room is situated, number of people occupying the room and the number of lights and computers in the room. 2. Split or Window AC?

The challenge after deciding the tonnage is to choose between a window and a split AC. Buying a window AC is more convenient in case you change homes frequently. Power consumption by both, split and window ACs is more or less the same, but since installation and re-installation charges of a split AC are higher, most buyers prefer a window AC. how much should i pay for an ac unitThe benefit of a split AC is the flexibility of installation. car ac repair for cheapIt doesn’t require a special vent or a window to be fixed. how do ac units workA split AC is more aesthetically pleasing and also makes lesser noise than a window AC. In case you’re looking for variety, split ACs will provide more choices. For more powerful ACs, like a 2 ton AC, split air conditioners are usually a more convenient choice compared to a window air conditioner.

3. Energy Efficiency and Star Rating: Trust the stars. Come summer, and your electricity bills shoot up in direct proportion to the soaring temperature. Air conditioners consume the maximum amount of power. However, it is now possible to buy an air conditioner that is more energy efficient and consumes lesser power. If you plan to invest in an AC this summer, make sure you check the star rating from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). This rating helps you decide which AC will help you cut down on power consumption while saving energy and being environment-friendly. In India, an AC runs for around 252 days on an average. The BEE rates appliances from 1 to 5 stars. A 5 star AC is the most energy efficient and consumes the lowest energy while conserving energy and drastically reducing your electricity bills.Select the right air conditioner to cool off and save on energy costs with this buying guide.Air Conditioner TerminologyChoosing the right air conditioner is easy with the right information.

The first step, before you go shopping, is to learn to speak the language.BTU: The British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the international measurement of energy. A BTU is the amount of heat required to raise 1 pound of water 1ºF Fahrenheit. In air conditioner (AC) jargon, a BTU measures the amount of heat an AC unit can remove from the room. As the BTU rating increases, so does the size, weight and cost of the AC. Room ACs are generally 5,000 to 24,000 BTU. Matching BTU requirements to room size is important. The room(s) won't cool efficiently if the BTU rating is too low or too high for the size of the room.EER: The Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) is calculated by dividing the BTU by the number of watts. The higher the EER number, the more efficient the unit should be. A higher EER-rated AC will also be more expensive, so decide if the higher price tag is worth the energy savings you may be getting. The ratings range from 8 to 11.5. If it's really hot where you are, go for a rating of 10 or higher.

Thermostat: The heat-sensing thermostat adjusts the temperature of the air coming from the AC unit. They can be programmable or manual. An adjustable thermostat combined with a variable-speed fan is an effective cooling machine. AC units are available with a remote control, 24-hour delay timers and digital temperature readouts.Filter: Clean air is essential for efficient operation. Look for units with filters that can be easily cleaned or replaced.Fan: The fan moves the air. A variable-speed fan combined with an adjustable thermostat is an effective cooling machine. Look for louvers that adjust up / down and right / left.Chassis: The chassis is the frame that supports the main parts of an AC.Packaged Terminal Heat Pump / Air Conditioner: This type of large heating or cooling unit, installed through the wall, is used in hotel and motel rooms.Shop Air ConditionersMeasurements to ConsiderMeasure the RoomDetermine the square footage of the room (multiply length x width).There are lots of variables to consider when choosing a room AC: number of windows, number of people in the room, which direction the room is facing, ceiling height, etc.

This chart can help you find the right size room air conditioner to meet your needs. Area to Be Cooled(square feet)Capacity Needed(BTU per hour) You may need to adjust the BTU rating needed based on whether the room to be cooled is sunny or shaded.  Measure the Window DimensionsMost window air conditioners are designed to fit double hung windows. Measure the inside dimensions. Take an exact measurement, not just an estimation.Take your room dimensions and window measurements with you when you go shopping.Check the Power SupplyWhat kind of plug does the unit have? What kind of plug is your wall outlet? Make sure the circuit can handle the operation of the unit. Smaller ones work with a standard 115-volt outlet. Larger 115-volt units may need a dedicated circuit. The largest AC units require a 230 / 208-volt circuit.Safety Considerations for Your Air ConditionerWeightHow heavy is it? Get some help when carrying and installing the unit. An AC unit can easily weigh over 100 pounds.NoiseAlthough newer units are much quieter than older models, be prepared for some additional noise in the room.

InstallationFollow the manufacturer's instructions carefully when installing a window unit. It's essential that the unit be stable for safety reasons. It's also essential that the unit be tightly sealed to keep the cool air inside where it belongs. Apply weather stripping as needed to prevent airflow around the unit. Put the AC in a shaded window if possible for added cooling efficiency.MaintenanceAC problems can be easily avoided with simple maintenance. Keep the filter and coils clean or replace them as recommended by the manufacturer. Don't need a new AC just yet? Here's some preseason maintenance advice for your old unit:Remove the inside grill. Carefully take out the foam filter. Wash in warm soapy water. If the filter's extremely dirty, wash it a few times. Rinse and allow the filter to dry before replacing. Filters that are beyond the reusable state can be inexpensively replaced.Filter maintenance alone will increase your AC's efficiency. Get the most from your unit by cleaning it thoroughly.