Choosing the right air conditioner in 6 steps

Step 1: determine which room(s) you want to get an air conditioner for in your home

Do you want an air conditioner in one room or multiple rooms? Do you want an air conditioner in the living room, or just in the bedroom? How big is the room in which you want to place the air conditioner? These are not trivial questions to ask.

This is because the room you want your air conditioner in affects the most appropriate type of air conditioner. For example, different rooms have different cooling needs, depending on factors such as the size of the room, the amount of sunlight coming in, insulation and the number of people in the room.

Step 2: look at the different air conditioner types

Fixed air conditioning

A fixed air conditioner, as the name implies, is a type of air conditioner that is not portable. This category of air conditioner includes three types of fixed air conditioners.

* The first type of this is the monoblock air conditioner. This air conditioner contains one unit, namely an indoor unit, in which all the components are located. They are mainly designed for targeted cooling of individual rooms, especially in situations where there is no space for an outdoor unit.

* The second type is the split air conditioner. A split air conditioner, the most well-known and common air conditioning system, consists of both an indoor and outdoor unit connected by cooling pipes. You have the option of having the indoor unit of a split air conditioner mounted on the ceiling, floor or wall.

* The last type is the multi split air conditioner. This type is similar to the split air conditioner, but there are more indoor units connected to a single outdoor unit. A multi-split air conditioner is ideal for efficiently cooling several small rooms.

Mobile air conditioner

Unlike a fixed air conditioner, a mobile air conditioner can be easily moved to different locations in the home. As a result, you don't have to think in advance about exactly where you want your air conditioner because the installation is not permanent. This flexibility in moving allows you to cool various rooms at different times.

For more information about the types of air conditioners and their specific pros and cons, be sure to check out our blog on the specific types.

Step 3: define the required cooling capacity

It is extremely important that you choose an air conditioner with the right capacity. Only then will you guarantee that you get the best efficiency. For example, if the capacity is too low, the air conditioner will have to work harder to reach the desired temperature, leading to higher energy consumption and more wear and tear. On the other hand, if the capacity is too high, you will pay unnecessarily for the air conditioner purchase.

The number of kW needed, you can actually easily calculate using the following formula:

(Number of m³ x degree of insulation) /1000 = kW

The degree of insulation refers to the quality of insulation in the room where you plan to install the air conditioner. Improved insulation of the room leads to a reduced need for cooling capacity. In addition, the amount of sunlight entering the room and other heat sources also affect the power required.

Step 4: Consider how much energy your air conditioner may use

When choosing an air conditioner, it is also important to take a moment to consider how much it will consume. An air conditioner typically uses 1 kilowatt hour of electricity per hour. However, this is only an average, as there are a lot of factors that affect the air conditioner's consumption. For example, the amount of light in the room and the insulation value of your home play a big role. Also, your air conditioner will consume more or less depending on the type, cooling capacity and energy label of the air conditioner you choose.

Step 5: determine how quiet you want your air conditioner to be

No air conditioner is completely silent. That's normal. In some situations, however, you want an air conditioner that is as quiet as possible. Consider your bedroom, for example: that's where you want to completely unwind and a noisy air conditioner is not really recommended.

* Mobile air condition ers are generally the systems that produce the most noise, with noise levels between 40 and 60 decibels at an average distance of about 1 meter.

* The traditional split air conditioning system, consisting of an outdoor unit and one or more indoor units, is known for producing the least amount of noise indoors. However, the noise production of a split air conditioner can vary depending on the specific model and settings. In general, the sound level of a split air conditioner ranges between 20 and 50 decibels (dB) at an average distance of about 1 meter.

* Monoblock air conditioners have similar noise production to split air conditioners. The models Innova 2.0 12HP and AeroComfort for example, produce noise levels between 27 and 47 decibels at an average distance of about 1 meter.

Step 6: Consider whether you want a multi-purpose air conditioner

Some air conditioners are equipped with an air-to-air heat pump. This term refers to the fact that the air conditioner can both cool and heat. An air conditioner that also has a heating system can be a useful addition. Although an air conditioner can heat a room more efficiently, it can only heat certain areas because it is not integrated with the central heating system. Heating multiple rooms requires a multi-split system.

In addition to heating, you can also equip your air conditioner with air purification options. For example, by adding ionization to your air conditioner, not only fresh air is blown into your home, but also pure and healthy air. Especially young children, the elderly and people with hay fever or an allergy to dust mites will thank you enormously for this addition.