There are numerous types of air conditioning unit available which can leave you feeling a little overwhelmed if, like many of us in the UK, you are not familiar with methods of coping with the heat.
Different Types Of Air Conditioning Unit
Three of the main types of air conditioning unit are detailed below:
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Window AC units
- Good if you need to keep a small space cool.
- Can be noisy but they do allow you to control humidity and empty the dust filter when required.
- Easy to install and will suit a room with one window sill
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Split AC units
- More expensive and need to be installed from the outside, meaning you may need some professional assistance.
- They produce minimal noise, some are equipped with bacteria filters and they are generally more efficient.
- You don’t need to keep a window open all the time which means they are more secure in your home.
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Cassette AC units
- Fitted into a falling ceiling and are popular in retail properties.
- They produce low level noise and work well in open plan spaces.
- They can be part of a single split or multi-split system
Air Conditioning Purchasing Tips
- When you are buying an AC unit you should look out for what the annual consumption will be (Kw per hour)the heat output (kw) and the energy efficiency rating
- Some AC units have washable carbon filters which prevent undesirable odours getting into the air.
- They prevent hair, dust and dirt getting into the machine, consider if this is something you want before purchasing
- Some have multiple operating levels to help regulate the temp more specifically, again, is this something you are going to need?
- Air Con units have ratings attached to them ranging from A – G with Grade A being the most energy efficient.
- Keep an eye out for these when purchasing
- AC Units should also have A British Thermal Unit rating which demonstrates how much cooling the machine is capable of.
- The higher the rating, the greater the volume of air a machine can cool. 5,000 to 8,00 BTU is usually fine for most living rooms and bedrooms.
- This rating method is also a good indication of how much your running costs will be
How much should you expect to pay for air conditioning?
Although it might not seem like it, the British climate is changing.
While the summers we've seen in the past few years have been less than stellar, the general trend is towards warmer weather and higher levels of humidity.
Whilst homes in the UK haven't typically been fitted with air conditioning in the past, this is starting to change.
Particularly in rooms that get very warm and especially in sun rooms and conservatories, air conditioning is becoming the must-have item.
Portable air conditioning unit costs
One convenient option for bringing air conditioning to your home is with a portable unit.
These small units are set on casters allowing you to move them to the room most in need of cooling and often have built-in heaters to make them useful all year round.
With washable filters and a dehumidifying action, these units can be helpful for those who suffer from allergies to dust or pollen.
The filtered air is freer of dust and other irritant particles and the dehumidifier can be helpful in rooms that are prone to damp or mildew.
With prices starting at around £250 for a portable air conditioner that will be effective in a room up to approximately 18 square metres, choosing this option is affordable.
The portable nature of the units also means there's no installation, making them instantly useable.
Single piece air conditioning units costs
The single piece air conditioners are the type of units with which most people are familiar.
An air conditioning fan is sited on a wall or window with the exhaust from the unit vented outside.
These units are less popular today, particularly in the UK.
The added cost of building or glazing work to accommodate these units makes them less attractive than some of the more modern wall-mounted units available on the market.
These air conditioners start at around £400, but of course this excludes the cost of the modifications to the wall or window necessary for their installation.
Split system air conditioning costs
These days, split systems are the most common domestic air conditioning units in the UK.
The "split" implied in the name refers to the separation between the condenser is separate from the fan and connected with copper pipe similar to that used in your internal plumbing.
These systems are very controllable and the temperature can be selected using a thermostat that will allow you to set a specific level at which you want the room to be maintained.
Starting from around £550, these units are typically more energy efficient than the single piece or portable units and much more controllable.
Air conditioner supply and installation costs
Whilst all of these air conditioners are available for purchase only, you may choose to have a contractor to install your new air conditioner in your home.
While there is no need for installation with the portable units, single and split units can be more tricky to fit.
The inclusive cost of supply and installation of a small split unit in a single room should be somewhere in the region of £1,300, but make sure to get a number of quotes before settling on a contractor.
Tips For Maintaining Your Air Con Unit
- To ensure your AC Unit is properly looked after you should remove bungs if you are storing away for the winter, this removes water from the AC.
- See how easy it is to unplug water pipes before you commit to buying a system
- Make sure the room you wish to keep cool is sealed to prevent the cool air escaping; it also helps to close blinds and curtains
- Clean dust filters on mobile and split models and check you are able to physically move the unit if you need to
