How to Choose a New Air Conditioning System for Your Home

There are a number of different types of air conditioning systems you might purchase for your home, all with different price tags and varying strengths when it comes to the space they will cool. While you don't want an air conditioner that isn't strong enough to keep you comfortable in the hot summer weather, you also don't want to overspend on something that provides more power than a small space needs. You might also want to know how to save money on the operation of your unit. Note a few factors to consider.

1. Sizing a central unit

A central air conditioning unit's size is measured in terms of BTU, or British Thermal Unit. This refers to a measurement of energy; one BTU is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. 

While you might wonder why an air conditioner's power is measured in terms of heat, keep in mind that a BTU is a unit of energy, not a unit of actual heat output. An air conditioner's BTU will tell you how much energy it produces and manages, and that energy is then used to run air over the condenser coil and refrigerant, and then push it back through the vents of your home. Typically you need 0.9 metric tons of capacity for every 37 square feet of a home, so a 148 square meter home would need an air conditioner with a 3.6-metric ton BTU output. This may need to be adjusted according to your home's insulation, if you live in a very warm climate and so on, but this should help you start sizing a central unit for your home.

2. Energy-saving features

Because an air conditioner uses so much energy to produce cool air for your home, it's good to invest in energy-saving features. A filter indicator light will tell you when the filter needs changing; if the filter is dirty or clogged, this causes the air conditioner to work harder. Being able to switch to a fan-only option will mean circulating air and keeping the home cooler while using less energy than if the air conditioner ran it over the condenser. Look for a blower with variable speeds, as this will mean it adjusts according to the temperature of the home and this too will mean using less energy. 

You might also consider using a zone thermostat for your central air conditioning unit. This allows you to set the temperature for separate areas of the home, so that your unit isn't cooling your entire home while you're asleep in the bedroom or everyone is in the living room. 

Keep these things in mind as you search for a new system, like daikin air conditioning systems.