In a country that is typically warm and humid all year round like Singapore, it can be a task to fight off the heat and humidity outside and inside our homes. In keeping our homes free from humidity, we adapt home designs that promote good airflow backed by great air conditioning. But how do you know if the air conditioning you have or are looking to get, fits your home and lifestyle demands?
Factors to Consider
Before we have a look at the different types of air conditioning units for the home, we must first understand the important factors to consider in deciding which aircon unit type to buy.
Home Structure
The physical structure of your home plays a big part in the effectiveness and efficiency of your air conditioning. The number of enclosed rooms or the size of the general area that needs cooling should help you determine the type, placement, and size of aircon you will need.
Lifestyle and Home Activity
Where the activity is nonstop and home appliances that produce heat are running for long periods, your AC unit’s power must be able to outwork all of these things to keep the house cool and comfortable. The power and performance of the AC unit are essential for this.
Budget
Considering the first two, the last (but not least) determining factor will be your budget. Your AC unit should meet the requirements of your home structure and lifestyle but should also be affordable to buy and maintain, and does not blow out your electricity bill.
Let’s have a look at the common types of home air conditioning units and the pros and cons of each one to help you decide on the type of air-con unit you should get.
Portable Air Conditioners
Portable air conditioners (PAC) is a type of air conditioner that can be carried and moved around the house to spots where immediate and concentrated cooling is needed. PACs work the same way as any other air conditioners. Its cooling system uses chemical refrigerants to absorb heat indoors and release it from an exhaust. This type is best for flats with multiple small rooms where mounted aircon is not an easy option.
PROS:
1. Movability and flexibility – PACs can be moved and positioned easily and can provide cooling to any area inside the house. It is also an option for flats that have limited available window or AC slots.
2. Easy to set up – PACs can be installed by following the DIY instructions, unlike mounted air conditioners that require trained technicians to set up and install.
3. Frees up your window – Bulky window units can take away all of the natural light and ventilation from your room especially for small flats that have only a few windows. PACs can free up a window or two and allow more sunshine into your home.
CONS:
1. Efficiency – In general, PACs are less efficient compared to standard mounted air-cons. PACs will need to work hard to cool down a small room which means it consumes more electricity to do the job.
2. Noise – Being portable means all of its machinery and noise are with you inside the room. It is not as quiet as other AC types.
3. Exhaust placement – Air-con absorbs heat to lower the general temperature of a room and all the heat must be expelled from an exhaust. PACs have exhaust hoses that must be placed outside the room that needs cooling– typically outside a window or the door. The size and length of the exhaust tube must be considered when placing the PAC in a new spot.
Window Air conditioners
Window Air Conditioners are the most common type of AC used in homes and small office rooms. Its cooling side faces inside the room while the heat exhaust faces the outside. This aircon type needs to be mounted on windows and narrow walls to make sure no inner vents are blocked. This AC is best for average-sized rooms and spaces inside the house that have minimal activity.
PROS:
1. Easy to install – Most households can manage to install the window AC without the need to hire trained technicians.
2. Affordable – The price range of window ACs makes it the common choice for buyers that are trying to save up on costs.
3. Easy to replace – Deciding to replace it with a new one will not be a difficult decision to make as most window AC units are affordable. Replacing the old unit with the new one would generally be an easy task as long as the new unit fits the slot.
4. Cheaper option long-term – The typical lifetime of an average window AC with its affordable price can make it a cheaper option than a split type AC when it comes to maintenance and replacement costs.
CONS:
1. Noise – Window ACs are generally noisy when running. The noise can be bothersome for some people depending on the time of the day or the ongoing activities.
2. Power – Window ACs are a common choice for average-sized rooms. This means that bigger spaces with more activity might not be a good fit for window ACs.
3. A dedicated slot is needed – You cannot place a window AC just anywhere. This AC type requires a dedicated slot where it can comfortably sit with the cooling side facing inside the structure while the exhaust faces outside. These slots are usually near room windows or slots are included in the structure plan for the walls.
4. Risk of falling – There is a risk of the unit falling off of the wall and down to its death in situations when window ACs have not been carefully installed and properly secured. This is also a risk during installations that can only be done from the inside. The risk must be carefully considered during installations.
Split-system Air Conditioning
A split-system air conditioner consists of two main parts – a compressor located outside and an inside air outlet unit. The sleek-looking indoor unit contains the cooling coil, a long blower and an air filter. The split-system AC has eliminated the noise of traditional systems and comes in simplistic design frames.
PROS:
1. Less noise – The parts of an air conditioner that make noise are the compressor and the fan that cools the condenser. These parts are located outside which means all the noise is left outside and only the cool and quiet air blower is doing the work inside.
2. Efficiency and costs – Split-system ACs consume considerably less electricity and power to accomplish the same job as conventional ACs. This also translates to a lower electricity bill.
3. Versatility – Conventional ACs like window air conditioners require you to provide a slot near the window or on the wall. Split-system air conditioners can be mounted to any side of your wall that is wide enough to accommodate the size of the indoor unit. Another benefit of a split air conditioner system is that you may opt for a multi-split system where you can have more than one indoor unit connected to a single outdoor unit. This makes it easy to cool multiple rooms or maintain the temperature throughout a large room via the use of two indoor cooling units.
CONS:
1. Price – A split system will cost you 35 per cent more, on average, than a traditional window air conditioning system. It will also require proper care and maintenance to extend the life of your split-system unit to make the energy savings count.
2. Maintenance – A split-system AC will often require professional tools and aircon services for cleaning and maintenance. It is usually cleaned with power washers to expel all accumulated dust and dirt. Cleaning can be facilitated easily but water spills are quite common.
3. Installation – Trained aircon technicians install split-system ACs which is usually as part of the purchase. This usually means you will have to wait a certain period of time for your newly bought unit to be installed and cleared for use.
Conclusion
Air conditioning is definitely a necessity to improve the comfort and health inside of your homes. The structure of your home and your general lifestyle will greatly determine the type of aircon unit that will work for you and your family. The general size of your home spaces, the activities you do at home, and the overall average temperature of your home are the common indicators of this.
For your aircon repair and servicing needs, contact Yeobuild Homecool now at 6591 8747
or you get a quote online here: https://homecool.com.sg/quotation-calculator/
