If you didn't already know what type of air conditioner is right for your home, I hope that at the end of this blog you'll know exactly what is best for the upcoming warm weather.
It's a well known fact around New England that during the winter, it's bone-chilling cold, and during the summer it can get VERY hot and humid. But some of you may be using either too small of an air conditioner for your room, or may be using an older non-Energy Star air conditioner, or aren't even using one at all because you don't know what to buy. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. What is right for your room application:
Take a look around the room that you spend most of your time in that you wish you had an air conditioner in there. Are there windows? Is there a wall that borders the outside? Is there even a plug in the room (grounded)? Coming up with the answer tells you what style to buy. There are:
A. In-Window Air Conditioners
B. In-Wall Air Conditioners
C. Portable Air Conditioners
In-Window A/C's range from small capacity to even large capacity and I would say are the second easiest to install. All you need is a window opening large enough to fit it, a 110 or (in some cases) a 220 outlet, and depending on how big it is, an extra hand to help put it in!
In-Wall A/C's also range from small capacity to even large but are a little harder to install. You'll need a wall that borders the outside and you'll have to cut a hole in the wall large enough to fit it (ask us about installation). These A/C's may be best for larger room applications.
Portable A/C's are the easiest of them all. A plug is all you need to run this A/C in any room you want to be in (most models)! These A/C's can roll from room to room and keep you cool, but you'll have to have a hose long enough to reach outside handy or even a 5 gallon bucket will do to catch the moisture the A/C pulls from the room.
2. What is right for your room size?
There is a simple formula that all A/C's use to determine cooling and it is called BTU (British Thermal Unit). The dictionary defines btu as "a unit of heat equal to the amount of heat required to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit at one atmosphere pressure...". Basically, they measure the amount of heat an air conditioning unit can remove from any room. The larger the btu, the more heat it will remove. This can be broken down into a simpler formula:
Measure your room lenghtwise and then measure it widthwise. So for example, if your room is 10' x 10', then you have a 100 square foot room and would require a 5,000 BTU A/C. A 25' x 22' room would be 550 square feet and would need a 12,000 BTU A/C. Use this formula to figure out what size A/C you would need.
(*image courtesy of energystar.gov click to enlarge)
It's a well known fact around New England that during the winter, it's bone-chilling cold, and during the summer it can get VERY hot and humid. But some of you may be using either too small of an air conditioner for your room, or may be using an older non-Energy Star air conditioner, or aren't even using one at all because you don't know what to buy. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. What is right for your room application:
Take a look around the room that you spend most of your time in that you wish you had an air conditioner in there. Are there windows? Is there a wall that borders the outside? Is there even a plug in the room (grounded)? Coming up with the answer tells you what style to buy. There are:
A. In-Window Air Conditioners
B. In-Wall Air Conditioners
C. Portable Air Conditioners
In-Window A/C's range from small capacity to even large capacity and I would say are the second easiest to install. All you need is a window opening large enough to fit it, a 110 or (in some cases) a 220 outlet, and depending on how big it is, an extra hand to help put it in!
In-Wall A/C's also range from small capacity to even large but are a little harder to install. You'll need a wall that borders the outside and you'll have to cut a hole in the wall large enough to fit it (ask us about installation). These A/C's may be best for larger room applications.
Portable A/C's are the easiest of them all. A plug is all you need to run this A/C in any room you want to be in (most models)! These A/C's can roll from room to room and keep you cool, but you'll have to have a hose long enough to reach outside handy or even a 5 gallon bucket will do to catch the moisture the A/C pulls from the room.
2. What is right for your room size?
There is a simple formula that all A/C's use to determine cooling and it is called BTU (British Thermal Unit). The dictionary defines btu as "a unit of heat equal to the amount of heat required to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit at one atmosphere pressure...". Basically, they measure the amount of heat an air conditioning unit can remove from any room. The larger the btu, the more heat it will remove. This can be broken down into a simpler formula:
Measure your room lenghtwise and then measure it widthwise. So for example, if your room is 10' x 10', then you have a 100 square foot room and would require a 5,000 BTU A/C. A 25' x 22' room would be 550 square feet and would need a 12,000 BTU A/C. Use this formula to figure out what size A/C you would need.(*image courtesy of energystar.gov click to enlarge)
3. Purchasing Energy Star Air Conditioners really make the difference:
If you were to replace your current non-Energy Star A/C with a new Energy Star model while following our simple buying guide, you'll save up to 10% on your overall bill (according to Energy Star). That could be $20 to $25 a month! Make sure you replace the filter yearly to keep the unit running properly.
Percy's has all your A/C needs in-stock and a knowledgable sales staff to help you make your decisions. If you already have an A/C and need a tune up, click here. Or, if you want to see our selections of new A/C's, click here.
Take care and thanks for reading,
-Brian
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If you were to replace your current non-Energy Star A/C with a new Energy Star model while following our simple buying guide, you'll save up to 10% on your overall bill (according to Energy Star). That could be $20 to $25 a month! Make sure you replace the filter yearly to keep the unit running properly.
Percy's has all your A/C needs in-stock and a knowledgable sales staff to help you make your decisions. If you already have an A/C and need a tune up, click here. Or, if you want to see our selections of new A/C's, click here.
Take care and thanks for reading,
-Brian
