Window Air Conditioner Review
Window air conditioners are probably the most popular type of air conditioner.
hey are designed to fit snuggly into a standard sized window space and come in different capacities in order to air condition different sized rooms. Window air conditioners are small, relatively quiet, are inexpensive compared to other types of air conditioners, are low maintenance and have a long life.
Originally, central air conditioning was the only type of air conditioning there was.
The problem was, although a lot of people desired cooler living spaces in hot summers, not everyone could afford or needed central air conditioning. This led to the invention of window air conditioners. Window air conditioners suit people who live in small apartments or who wish to only cool a single area.
Features of Window Air Conditioners
They have the same basic components as central air conditioning but they fit into a small cabinet. Of course, they do not have the same ability to cool large spaces as central air conditioning does but they are also comparatively inexpensive to purchase and operate. Window air conditioners are the best option for people who only need to cool one or two rooms. If you want to cool your whole home, then central air conditioning is probably the best option.Window air conditioning units are very similar to portable units except they are not as portable. Both have all components housed in a single cabinet, whereas central air conditioners have both inside and outside components. Generally speaking window air conditioners cool the air in a room however some of them can heat as well as cool. These units have electric heaters inside the unit from which heat is fanned into the room. They are able to heat the right sized room effectively.
How Window Air Conditioners Work
This type of air conditioning unit has a chilled coil, a hot coil and two fans which blow air over these coils. In turn, the coils absorb the heat and humidity from the room and expel it outside, leaving cool, clean air inside.The cooling capacity of an air conditioner is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs); the higher the BTUs, the larger the cooling capacity. It is important to buy the right sized window air conditioner for the size of the room you wish to cool. For example, if you wish to air condition a space up to 350 square feet, a unit with the capacity of 8000 BTUs would be necessary. For larger rooms, more BTUs would be required.
The smallest BTU capacity available in a window air conditioner is 5000 BTUs and the highest is around 30000 BTUs which is more likely for commercial purposes. It is a mistake to use high capacity units for small areas because they will be turning off and on too often which causes equipment wear and tear and can also cause a failure in circuit breakers and fuses. As well as these more serious problems, an unnecessarily high capacity window air conditioner for the room size can lead to inconsistent temperature control.
Buying Advice for Window Air Conditioners
There are a wide range of brands and models of window air conditioners at an equally wide range of prices. It is possible to purchase window air conditioners with high energy-efficient ratios and low noise (almost noise free), which can cool a room effectively and quickly.Of course, the more you are able to spend on a window air conditioner the higher the quality and efficiency. High capacity air conditioners with a high energy efficiency rating will be able to cool large areas quickly. These units begin at around $300. If you are prepared to spend $600 or more for your window air conditioner you can expect to find one that will cool the entire living space on a single floor.
The quality of window air conditioners has improved greatly over the years. Originally, these units were very noisy and earned the nick name "window bangers." These days window air conditioners are very quiet, in fact many operate 'silently.' They can be used in bedrooms without disturbing sleep.
As well as being very noisy, the earlier models of window air conditioners were also very heavy making them difficult to transport and install. New models are easy to fit in most window spaces and for the most part do not require mounts.
This makes it easier to remove the air conditioner during winter months and store it safely till the next summer. These modern units are also inexpensive to purchase and use compared to other types of air conditioners. They are particularly ideal if you only wish to cool a small area.
They are also much better looking. The earliest window air conditioners were large and clunky. They were usually a shade of brown (perhaps laminated) and looked like a big box sitting in the window. Modern designs tend to be sleeker and more attractive so that they look more like a coordinated part of the furniture than an intruder.
It is not difficult to keep window air conditioners running well. They are easy to maintain with many of them having a filter, made of mesh, attached to the front of the unit. Simply by removing this filter and washing it with water, you can keep your window air conditioner running well.
Types of Window Air Conditioners
Other types of window air conditioners use a foam filter which can simply be washed a number of times before being disposed of. These filters are readily available at hardware stores. Some window air conditioners do not have removable filters. For these ones, you will need to brush off the dirt regularly.All in all, there is a window air conditioner to suit most pockets and needs. There is no longer any need to swelter in summer heat when relief is so easy to obtain. Take the time to compare brands and models and to know exactly what size room you need to cool. Once you do this, the rest is easy.
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