Which Air Conditioner Is Right For Your Home

Luxury or necessity? Whatever your views on the rights and wrongs of ACs, chances are you are finding it increasingly hard to do without an air conditioner, given our climate and air quality. If you are planning to buy a new air conditioner for your home, it is essential to consider important factors like your budget, the number, size and type of rooms to be cooled and whether it is for your own home or a rented apartment. Air conditioners can be broadly categorized into ductless split units, ductless cassette units, window units and ductable units. Each of these types of air conditioners come in various models, designs and star ratings that determine the energy efficiency of the appliance. 

Here is a guide to the pros and cons of each air-conditioning system.

Ductless Split AC

These are available in sleek modern designs and various colors. A split AC comprises three components – the outdoor compressor, the indoor handling unit, and the connecting pipes and electrical cables. 

Pros:

There is minimum air leakage in these air conditioners, since the connection between the indoor and outdoor unit is through lines that pass through a small hole drilled in the external wall.

Another advantage of split ACs is that they are easy to maintain. These ACs have washable filters which can be periodically removed, washed and then fixed back in place.

The operational cost is not very high because one tends to switch it on only when needed.

Cons:

A faulty installation of the condensate discharge line (that removes condensed water vapour) may result in clogging, backflow and leakage in the indoor unit. Make sure to give this pipe a good downward slope, as per the manufacturer’s specifications, to ensure that the water discharges outwards easily.

Choose an appropriate position for the indoor unit such that the piping is as short as possible. This shall enhance the energy efficiency of the split AC

Ductless Cassette AC

A cassette AC is a ceiling-mounted ductless unit with a standard size of 2x2 feet. The mode of operation is very similar to a split AC. The powerful cooling of a cassette unit, along with its (more or less) central placement in the ceiling, makes it highly suitable for large living-cum-dining areas where wall mounted split ACs won’t be as effective.

Pros:

They can be installed within the ceiling cavity, which is the gap between the true ceiling and faux ceiling. This is an effective way to save window and wall space as only the fascia of the split unit is visible in the faux ceiling.

It is a well-known basic science fact that cool air descends; this phenomenon ensures excellent cooling by the cassette AC.

Another plus of cassette ACs is that they are equipped with directional blowing, which throws air in all four directions. As a result, the conditioned air can can be evenly distributed to the farthest areas of the room.

Cons:

A cassette AC can only be installed and tucked away within a faux ceiling.

Servicing or repairing the power lines, refrigeration lines and condensate discharge lines, which are all concealed within the faux ceiling, can be challenging due to limited accessibility.

To ensure hassle-free maintenance, see to it that the technician cross-checks the slope of the condensate discharge pipe before final installation of the faux ceiling.

Window  AC

 

Window air conditioners are fixed within a cut-out in the external wall or a window that is specially designed to accommodate such units. These units are most suitable for small rooms where installation of an outdoor unit proves difficult. They are also suitable for rented apartments or in cases where you need to change your home frequently,because of their portable size and ease of installation. 

Pros:

A window unit is the most affordable and reasonably priced in comparison to other air-conditioning systems.

These ACs are easy to install and are low on maintenance.

A window AC is ideal for small rooms.

Cons:

There may be security issues with a window AC, unlike other air-conditioning systems, since a big cut-out is made within the external wall or a window to accommodate the AC. It is important to burglar-proof the window AC, especially if it is on the ground or first floor, with a protective window grille or cage.

Ductable  AC

A Ductable AC supplies cool air to the entire home or a particular zone through a system of ducts fixed within the ceiling. This system works best for large homes where multiple rooms need to be air-conditioned.

Pros:

These units are excellent in terms of decor because only the vents are visible. This gives a very sleek, elegant and luxurious look to the home.

A ductable AC system can be efficiently zoned and each area can have different settings and temperature controls. One can turn off the AC of any zone when not in use.

Ductable ACs maintain an even temperature throughout the home.

Cons:

One concern about a ductable AC is that it incurs some energy losses as the ducts have to be cooled before the rooms get cooled. Also, the ducts can be prone to leakage or deterioration over time.

The cost of materials, installation and maintenance of a ductable AC is higher than that of other air-conditioning systems.

The elaborate ducting and extensive costs do not make it suitable for cooling a single room.

In case of any repairs, the air-conditioning of the whole home will have to be switched off and will not work until the task is completed.

 

Installing a ductable AC cannot be an afterthought. Make sure the position of the ducts and vents are aligned with the design of the faux ceiling, and the electrical wiring and electrical points.

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