So you’re thinking about buying a new air conditioner but you’re a bit behind the eight ball when it comes to home appliances and technology. Not to worry. We’ve put together a few questions you need to ask yourself to give you a better understanding of what you need. The answers will also give your air conditioning retailer a better understanding of what will work for you and your budget.
1. Do we really need a new air conditioner?
Purchasing and having a new air conditioner installed will be quite a large expense. It pays to make sure that you really do need a new air con. Before making the decision it pays to have a professional to take a look. Their diagnosis may mean that you only need certain parts to be replaced or a basic service. Make sure you use a reputable professional as there are some out there that could take you for a ride. If possible ask family and friends for any recomendations.
2. How old is our air conditioner & how much is it costing us to run?
If your air conditioner is pushing 10 to 15 years old then it is definitely time to look at a new cooling solution. Overtime normal wear and tear will occur and at a more substantial rate if no servicing or maintenance is done. Older systems will also use a lot more power compared to their modern counterparts as the technology used has become much more efficient. If your energy bills during summer are being pushed through the sky because of your old air conditioner it is definitely time to think about upgrading.
3. What type of air conditioner do we need?
Not all types of air conditioners are created equal when it comes to cooling your home efficiently in any climate. All have their pros and cons for particular areas and climates. For example, evaporative air conditioners work better in the dryer areas of central and southern Australia but are very ineffective when it comes to trying to cool a home in the tropical north of Australia, click here for a detailed look. For more information on the types of air conditioners available click here.
4. What size air conditioner do we need?
The majority of air conditioners will come in varying sizes to accommodate for different living areas. You will need to decide what area you are looking to cool. One room, small or large? An open living area? The whole home? Knowing this beforehand will help you and your retailer to find the best unit based on power, efficiency and cooling area/capacity. Having floor plans available can make this process a lot easier when calculating the size of the room compared to an air conditioners output.
5. What features do we require?
New features are built into air conditioners with every new model but more often than not you will only use a few of these. The main things you need to question are what are the features we want and need to look out for when shopping around. Some to think about are:
Remote system control – being able to control your comfort level while watching TV is a great thing. No need to get up and walk to the other end of the house just to change the temperature level. These days remotes should be standard but if they are not they shouldn’t be too much of an extra cost.
Air conditioning zones – being able to shut off air flow to rooms that aren’t being used will provide big costs savings overtime. Your system also won’t have to work as hard as it would pumping air to all rooms.
Motion sensors – this feature is great for automatic cooling. Sensors will pick up when you enter the room, notice the temperature rise and cool the room accordingly. This feature is normally connected with reverse cycle systems.
System check lights – are a great addition as they will help you to notice when the system or a component might not be working properly. This will also help keep up with the maintenance required to help your system last as long and work efficiently as possible.
6. What is our budget in terms of running cost?
Running costs will vary between air conditioners based on their energy requirement and overall efficiency. You also need to take into account how long you run the system for. By gauging how much you use it per day (hours) you can calculate a basic running cost guide against the Sustainable Energy Authority of Victoria’s hourly cost results. If you can figure out a basic usage estimate in hours against your budget you will have a per hour running cost figure that will help you choose the most affordable system by power usage.
The star energy rating labels will help by giving this power usage figure (per hour) to make your decisions as easy as possible.
7. Who should I buy from?
There are tens of hundreds of retailers out there that can sell you an air conditioner. But can they sell you the RIGHT air conditioner for your needs? Are they just retailers? Will I have to deal with another company to actually install my air conditioner? More often than not your large retailers won’t be worrying to much about your purchase once it has gone through. They might point you in the direction of an air conditioning installation business but who wants to deal with two different companies when there are businesses out there that are experts in both.
Gas Works are Adelaide’s air conditioning experts that will make sure you have the right system to suit your needs and budget. PLUS making sure it is properly installed and working efficiently. We pride ourselves on being the ONLY business you need to deal with, when making such a substantial purpose. We are here to help you every step of the way.
Be sure to contact your nearest Gas Works air conditioning specialist if you have any questions. We are more than happy to help!
