Which is the Best Air Conditioning System for Me?
Choosing the right air conditioning system is not just about cooling your home or business. It’s about maximising comfort and longevity as well as minimising energy bills and environmental impact. The diverse range of air conditioning units available can be overwhelming and lots of people don’t know where to start when choosing the best air conditioning solution for their property, lifestyle, and unique needs.
In this guide, we break down the main factors to consider when choosing which air conditioning units to install.
Purpose of the System
When it comes to installing a system that helps you maintain a comfortable environment in your property, there are a few options to choose from.
- Cooling - Most air conditioning systems are only designed to cool your property. They are ideal for the warmer summer months; however, you will need an alternative heating system for the colder winter months.
- Heating and Cooling - More commonly known as HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), these systems can keep your home or business cool during the summer and warm during the winter. They can prevent the need for central heating systems and combine all your temperature control needs into one convenient solution.
- Air Purifier - Following on from the above, HVAC systems can also help to improve indoor air quality by removing pollutants and airborne bacteria. They are particularly beneficial for people who suffer from allergies.
Type of System
Understanding how an air conditioning system cools your home or business can help you determine which type of unit is best for you. At Anemoi Air, we install two types of air conditioning systems.
- Air-Cooled Air Conditioning - These systems use air to keep your rooms cool and they have outdoor units. The condenser features fans to cool the refrigerant which removes the heat from the warm indoor air. Some of the key benefits of air-cool air conditioning systems include ease of installation, low maintenance and cost-effectiveness.
- Water-Cooled Air Conditioning - These systems use water to keep your home cool and they have indoor units. The condenser will remove heat from the refrigerant and transfer it to the water running through the system. Water-cooled air conditioning systems have some unique benefits too; energy-efficient, compact, and discrete design, and extended lifespan.
Size of the Space
Whenever you’re installing domestic or commercial air conditioning units, whether they’re air-cooled or water-cooled, you need to ensure you’re opting for the right-sized unit for your room.
A unit that's too small won't effectively cool or heat the space, while an oversized unit will be unnecessarily expensive to install. Oversized units can also result in you having a cold, yet humid space due to the unit turning itself off without removing the moisture from the air.
- Professional Assessment - You should have an air conditioning expert assess your space and help you to determine the unit size you need to effectively cool your room. They will consider things such as square footage, room usage, furniture placement, insulation materials, ceiling height, window size, and more.
- BTU Calculation - There is a way to get a rough estimate for the size of the air conditioning unit you need. When you’re heating your home or business, it’s recommended that you do a BTU calculation and the same applies for cooling your home. BTUs (British Thermal Units) can give you an indication of an air conditioning unit’s cooling capacity and the bigger your room, the higher the BTU rating required to ensure your system is powerful enough to effectively cool the space. A simple BTU calculation for air conditioning is; room length x room width x 25.
Energy Efficiency
More so than ever before, it’s essential to take into consideration energy efficiency when installing a new air conditioning system. An energy-efficient unit will be less expensive to run and won’t have as much of an impact on the environment.
- Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) - You should look at the EERs when comparing different air conditioning options. An EER will tell you how efficient an air conditioning unit is and ideally, you should look for the highest EER within your budget. However, as a general guide, you should aim for an EER of 12 or higher if energy efficiency is an important factor when choosing an air conditioning unit. An easy way to calculate the EER of an air conditioning unit is; the unit’s BTU per hour ÷ the unit’s wattage.
- Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) - It can also be beneficial to look at SEER, especially if you’re not going to be using your air conditioning system all year round. The SEER takes into account seasonal factors that impact usage, providing you with an indication of the efficiency during the main cooling period, which is summer in the UK. This rating can be very useful and similarly to EER, the higher the rating, the more efficient the air conditioning unit is.
- Coefficient Of Performance (COP) - When you install a HVAC system that will be used to heat your home or business as well, the COP rating is another thing to consider. This is related to heat performance and just like the ratings above, the higher the COP rating, the more energy-efficient your HVAC unit will be.
Additional Features
Lots of modern air conditioning units come with various features that can improve performance and convenience. It’s worth exploring the additional extras available when deciding which air conditioning unit is best for you.
- Programmable Thermostats - Some air conditioning units feature thermostats that allow you to set temperatures for different times of the day. This will help to ensure your rooms are kept comfortable at all times and you won’t have to worry about remembering to turn the system on and off or adjust the temperature.
- Wi-Fi Enabled - You can sometimes control your air conditioning unit via an app on your mobile phone or even integrate it with smart home systems. Having Wi-Fi control is very convenient, and you will be able to adjust the air conditioning from anywhere in your property. You may be able to connect the air conditioning unit to a voice-controlled assistant too, so it couldn’t be easier to operate.
Manufacturers
There are lots of different manufacturers to choose from when it comes to deciding which air conditioning system is best for you. Industry-leading brands like Toshiba, Daikin, Sanyo, Fujitsu, Hitachi, and Mitsubishi Electric are all worth exploring in more detail.
Do some research into the reliability of a manufacturer’s products and read some customer reviews. Don’t hesitate to ask an air conditioning expert for their opinion on which brand is best suited to your specific application too. An independent supplier can provide you with the honest and impartial advice you need to ensure you’re making the right choice for your requirements.
Budget
It can be tempting to opt for a air conditioning system that is cheaper up-front, however, it’s essential to consider the long-term costs as well. At Anemoi Air, our air-cooled systems start from as little as £1,000 and our water-cooled systems start from just £3,000.
Air-cooled systems can be budget-friendly up-front and more affordable to operate. However, since they have external air conditioning units, they may require additional maintenance to keep them in good condition. Whereas, water-cooled systems can cost more to install, yet they are fully contained within your property and will stand the test of time.
It’s highly recommended to invest in an air conditioning maintenance contract, regardless of which type of system you choose to install or how frequently you use it. Preventative maintenance is always cost-effective, and it will help to keep your air conditioning units operating efficiently for many years to come.
For peace of mind, double-check that you will receive a warranty with your new system too. At Anemoi Air, all our air conditioning units come with a free 10-year warranty.
Choosing an Air Conditioning System that's right for you
Ultimately, your ideal air conditioning unit will depend on several factors. This guide serves as a starting point to understand the range of options available. However, as mentioned above, it's a good idea to consult with a trusted professional. They will help to ensure that you invest in an air conditioning system that will serve you best, both in terms of comfort and efficiency.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at Anemoi Air whenever you’re trying to decide which is the best air conditioning unit for you. We provide an end-to-end air conditioning service and can assist with everything from system design and installation to maintenance and repairs.
