There are several factors to consider when assessing the cost of home air conditioning. Within each of these components, consider both internal and external influences. Like any other electrical item you buy, the cost increases or decreases depending on the brand, model, and specs of the unit. Then you have your local electricity rates to consider, and finally, how often you use the aircon will dictate how regularly it will need maintenance.
We can break these costs down into three key areas to consider:
1. Purchasing the unit (and installation if you buy a wall-mounted unit)
2. Electricity/Energy costs
3. Aircon Maintenance
1. Purchasing a home air conditioning system
There are several factors involved in purchasing a home aircon system.
The Brand: The brand of the aircon you use will always influence the cost. This does not differ from any other product you buy. To be on the safe side, choose a brand that comes with an extended warranty – the longer the warranty the better.
Type of Aircon: You have options to purchase a wall-mounted aircon unit or a portable aircon unit. In general, portable aircon units are cheaper, and they do not require complex installations. They can be very useful for those who rent or live in a home without central air conditioning. However, they typically consume up to 30 percent more energy than a typical split air conditioning unit with a compressor and a wall-mounted cooling unit.
Size of Cooling Area: The larger the area that needs cooling, the higher the BTU of the aircon you choose will need to be. In other words, the cost of the aircon unit you buy will increase the larger the size of the area the aircon will need to cool. When deciding on the right air conditioning unit for your home, first calculate how much square footage you have. This number is a good starting point, but there are other factors that go into the calculation. The height of ceilings, the amount of insulation, the climate, and more all play a part in the size of the unit needed. HVAC professionals will be able to help you determine the right BTU rating for your home.
Additional Built-in Features: Modern air conditioning units come with built-in features these days. You will find some with super efficient dehumidifiers, and gaining in popularity are those with built-in air purifiers. An air purifier can reduce the amount of bacteria and viruses in the air. This is especially important if you have respiratory problems, which can be made worse by humid air. It also reduces dust and pollenf you would also like to include these features, then the cost of the aircon unit will increase.
Installation Costs: Wall-mounted aircon systems require expert installation. Most electrical shops that sell aircon units will offer free installation services as part of the cost. Make sure you ask at the shop before you commit to the purchase. If the shop does not offer installation within the cost of the purchase, then maybe try another store or look online.
2. Electricity Costs
The energy usage is then offset by your electricity bill using kilowatts per hour as your metric. You can find this information on your monthly bill or find out the price per kilowatt hour by using a calculator. It is important to note that these figures are estimates and are based on several variables.
This can include, but is not limited to, how often you use it, which setting you use and the model of the aircon. Furthermore, other variable include electricity prices during peak hours, in cities or in apartment buildings are almost always more expensive. That is compared to off-peak hours, lower populated areas and houses with their own electric supply.
Will a Higher BTU air conditioner save costs?: If you’re looking for the best air conditioning unit for your home, you should look for a unit with a higher BTU rating. A higher BTU number means the air conditioner will work faster. A higher BTU number also means that the air conditioner will provide more cooling power. However, the higher the BTU, the more expensive it is. For example, buying a 12,000 BTU unit for a small 30 Sq metre room is overkill.
Window Aircon Unit Energy Costs: Energy cost is another factor to consider. If you want to save money on energy, you can choose a lower-energy-using window unit. Depending on the size of your home and your local electricity rate, the cost of installing a window unit can save you money. Make sure you know the kilowatt-hour electricity rate before purchasing a window AC unit.
Do portable air conditioners use more electricity than traditional air-cons? As with most of the information you will find here, the cost of electricity depends on several factors, including the size of the unit, and how long it runs. It also depends on the cost of electricity in your area. All that being said, choosing a portable air conditioning unit that has two hoses can reduce the amount of energy it uses. The hoses should be short and separate to prevent heat loss. If you have a central air conditioning unit, you may also want to consider purchasing a portable air conditioner to reduce the workload on your central unit. This will help you save money on your electric bill.
3. Aircon Maintenance
Another unseen cost some new buyers may not consider is aircon maintenance. The store you purchase your aircon from should be able to help you with a maintenance plan or provide with the contact details of an aircon maintenance firm.
Here are some of the reasons aircon maintenance is important:
Clean the Aircon Filter: One of the most common causes of air conditioner not blowing cold air is a dirty air filter. This can restrict the air flow and damage the evaporator coil. It may also cause the air to become stuffy and more dusty. You should change the air filter every few months to maintain the air quality in your home.
Freon Checks: Occasionally, you’ll need to check your air conditioning system to see if it needs to be recharged. Low Freon can lead to a number of problems, from the inability of your air conditioner to cool your home quickly to higher energy bills. To test your air conditioning unit’s Freon levels, try to lower your thermostat setting a few degrees. If it doesn’t work, check the refrigerant lines.
General Equipment Tests: Some people may find that the cause of higher electricity costs is because there is an issue with the connection from the compressor to the aircon unit. A regular maintenance company coming in means you will ensure they check these pipes leading from your compressor to the aircon unit, as well as test the compressor itself to ensure it is functioning correctly.
Replacement Parts: If your aircon unit’s warranty has expired, then new parts required will be down to you. Now a 3-year warranty is recommended and extending this to 5 if it is an option is recommended. Of course, with no warranty, any new parts needed, you will need to pay for.
Research All Three Tips in This Guide – Especially BTU!
Before you commit to buying a new aircon unit, take your time to research all the points above. Especially important is to look at the recommended BTU for the size and type of space the aircon will cool. This is the number one point most people get wrong. The smaller the BTU, the cheaper the unit usually becomes. However, if the BTU of the unit is too small, it will not cool your room sufficiently, and turning it up will mean you overwork the aircon, which invariably means higher electricity bills and the aircon’s life span could be considerably shortened.