As a new homeowner, you probably have a long list of everything you need to do to make your house feel like a home. After all, you waited a long time to get to this point and want to ensure everything is done right, your air conditioner included.
Buying an air conditioner is one of the most important things that you can do for your home, and here are some things that you need to consider before investing:
The type of air conditioner that suits your home
In most cases, you’ll be going for a split system air conditioner because it’s more efficient, practical, and budget-friendly in conserving energy. A split-type air conditioner will be composed of an indoor and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit will be mounted on your wall, while the outdoor unit will be placed on the ground or your exterior wall, depending on where the indoor unit will be placed.
Types of indoor units
Depending on your space, you can choose from three types of indoor units for your home:
- A wall-mounted unit is ideal for use in a single space like the bedroom or office since it can only cool a smaller area, and it’s mounted high on a wall almost near your ceiling.
- A floor-mounted unit is used for single but bigger spaces like the living area or dining room. It is also mounted on the wall but closer to the floor.
- A ducted or concealed unit is used to cool an entire house using a single unit since it is integrated into your home’s ventilation system. Also known as centralised air conditioning, you don’t see any mounted units with ducted air conditioning because everything is hidden behind your walls and ceilings.
Types of split systems
If you’re considering installing a split system air conditioner into your new home, you’ll need to consider the type of split system that will best suit your needs and the layout of your space:
- A single split system is the most common unit since it’s composed of an indoor and outdoor unit connected by two copper pipes and an electric cable where hot and cold air flows. Panasonic split systems, and other popular brands like Daikin and Fujitsu offer some of the best single split systems. Single split systems are ideal if you only need one or two units in your home or have outdoor space to spare.
- A multi-split system is air conditioning that connects several indoor units to a single outdoor unit, so you can cool or heat your entire house without worrying about where to place several outdoor units in your space. Although it works like a centralised unit, the main difference is that with a multi-split system, you have control of each indoor unit so that you can operate them independently, depending on your needs. This is also an ideal choice for new homes since installation is more complex as compared to a single split system.
The functionalities of an air conditioner
Here’s the thing; not all air conditioners are created equal – they vary in terms of efficiency, capacity, and durability. Your choice of an air conditioner should depend on the functionalities you need for your new home, which is why it’s best to do your research beforehand.
For instance, some units like Daikin split systems are excellent for their advanced heating capabilities, so this would be ideal if you need both heating and cooling for your new home. Some air conditioners also have extra features like air purifying filters that keep your indoor air quality optimal.
The power of an air conditioner
One of the most important things to consider when buying an air conditioning system is its cooling capacity, which will depend on several factors. These factors include the size and type of room you’d like to cool, the number and orientation of your glass doors and windows, the insulation of your walls, floor and ceiling, the area where you live, and whether you have shades or curtains on your windows.
You will need the help of a professional in determining the exact capacity you’ll need for the size of the room or the space you’re trying to cool. But as a rule, a small bedroom usually requires a 2.5 kW system, while a bigger room or open plan space will need at least 6 kW of power.
The running costs of an air conditioner
Whether you opt for Daikin split systems or Fujitsu air conditioning, you need to choose one that will help you save money in the long run. Some air conditioners use a lot of energy, while others help you keep your utility bills low without sacrificing efficiency. Since an air conditioner is a long-term investment, you should consider one that will help keep your running costs low in the future. Therefore, it’s very important to consider factors like the right capacity for your house if the air conditioner can be set to a reasonable temperature so that you can control your energy usage, and if it’s more energy efficient than other models. Panasonic split systems, for instance, are known for their energy efficiency, making them an excellent investment to help lower running costs.
The installation process
Before investing in air conditioning, you should be aware of the installation process, so you know what to expect. Since you’re installing it in a new house, you need to decide first where the air conditioner will go and if you have the space for both your indoor and outdoor units. If you decide to go with ducted air conditioning, it’s best to talk to your contractor about your plans, so they can take the design of your house into consideration. Since the installation process needs to be done right, it’s best to have your contractor or electrician do the job for you, so they can work on the electrical system that will run through your unit and ensure that everything is installed safely.
Maintaining your air conditioner
If you want to make the most of this investment into your new air conditioner, you’ll need to follow some tips on keeping it in good shape for a longer time:
Read your owner’s manual.
Moving into a new home can feel overwhelming as you need to be familiar with everything around the house and how to use it all properly. To get a head start with your new air conditioner, you should read your owner’s manual to know exactly how to operate it properly, what to avoid when using it and make sure that you know its maintenance schedule.
Schedule regular maintenance checks.
Even the best split systems need regular maintenance to last long, and for this job to be done efficiently, you will need the help of a professional. Make sure to schedule regular maintenance checks to not only clean your air conditioning unit but also check its condition and fix any issues before they worsen.
Change your filters regularly.
One of the easiest things you can do to maintain your new air conditioner is to change your air filters regularly. Since your air conditioner filters plenty of dust and dirt, changing your air filters will help you maintain the quality of the air in your house while also protecting your unit from any early damage. You can ask your dealer or read your owner’s manual to know exactly how to change your air filters. This will usually just take you a few minutes, and you can do it once per month. For more information on how to clean your reverse cycle air conditioner’s filter click here.
The bottom-line
Moving into a new house is an exciting time, especially when it’s fully furnished with high-quality appliances that you know you can enjoy for a long time. Keep these tips in mind, do your research, ask for recommendations, and buy only from a reliable supplier that can guarantee the best air conditioning for your new home.
