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Beating the Heat: Tips for Buying a Room Air Conditioner |
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If your home or apartment doesn't have a central air conditioning system, you don't have to sweat out the summer. You can buy window air conditioners not only to stay comfortable, but to circulate, filter and dehumidify air. Here are some suggestions to help you make the right choice. - Get a window air conditioner that has the right capacity for the size of the room. A 5,000-BTU unit is good for a small room, while a 32,000-BTU unit will cool a small home.
- Window air conditioners come in a range of sizes. If the unit is too big, your room may get damp and clammy. One that's too small will not cool effectively when it's very hot.
- Choose an air conditioner based on its BTU rating, not horsepower to horsepower. The BTU rating is the actual cooling capacity, while horsepower is just the size of the motor.
- To determine the right size, multiply the square feet of the room by 25, add 1,000 for each window, and 400 per person. For example, if the room is 300 square feet, has three windows and you're a family of three, a unit of around 12,000 BTUs will probably be sufficient.
- To save on electricity, you'll want the unit to be as energy efficient as possible. You can figure this out by dividing the wattage of the unit by the amount of BTUs. If the result is between five and 10, the air conditioner is efficient unit. The factor should not be lower than 5.
- Other features to consider are variable air direction to prevent drafts, air filters that are easy to remove and clean, a silent motor, an air exchanger, adjustable speeds, and temperature controls.
As with all appliances, there are many makes and models. So check quality and reliability ratings before you make a purchase.
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