Layman's Guide To Findind Their Air Conditioning Match

I was a child of the era of coolers. While that time had its own charm, times have changed, we have moved into the age of air conditioners. Gone are the days when they were a luxury enjoyed by a privileged few, today its a household basic even a common man can aspire to.

So when I first got my own house, it was on my list of primaries to buy. But I am a regular person, ok, some might even call me technologically challenged, how am I supposed to just get up an go to buy an AC?

I could just choose the prettier one or ask for some expert advice. But I had to do it on my own, so I got down to a little research and a lot of window shopping. With the wide range of high technology cooling units, it is easy to get lost and make a panicked wrong choice, ask me. So let me share my wisdom a little and help you take you through it.

1. It all Begins at Home

Before you set out to find your AC, you have to take a good look around and decide exactly where in the room do you want the unit. It matters to be able to choose the type of AC you would need, and not just for size. Let me break it down a little.

If you have a large room with a window outlet, preferably that opens into an air space, a window AC would suit you best. They are installed in your windows and are easily accessible. They might be slightly noisier, but they make up for it with their powerful cooling.

If you are looking to cool a smaller area, or do not have the kind of space required by a window unit, you could go for the more compact split ACs. They can be fitted practically anywhere, so be sure to choose a spot which provides maximum cooling coverage. The condenser can be installed up to 10ft away, but try to keep the minimum distance for higher efficiency.

However, this really is the trickiest part cause perfect cooling is an art. It takes a lot more than just the right type, there is cooling capacity and fan speed and Condensors and whatnot that work in sync to really get it right.

2. Counting Stars

Now, it is an intelligent process, understanding the way your unit works. Lets leave it to those who get it. Between the gazillion ratings and countings, you can easily find yourself drowning and just nodding away to the sales person.

Basically, it’s all about two simple things. First is cooling, your main function, measured in BTU or British Thermal Units or Horsepower. The other factor is its power consumption in watts. The BEE or Bureau of Energy Efficiency made it simpler for you by creating a star system which indicates the energy efficiency, that is a ratio of the amount of cooling and power consumption. Higher stars indicate more cooling for lesser power. So yeah, go for more stars.

3. Not just about the Summers

I know, we all relate them to the scorching heat. Even experts say the body requires an optimum temperature to be able to rest and function efficiently. But that’s not all of it, even the cooler monsoons leave us uncomfortable and mostly sweaty. Hence proving it is not all about the temperature. While looking for an AC be sure to find one with a good dehumidifying feature. So you can stay comfortable, cool and fresh in all seasons.

4. Suits Your Wallet

Of course, by this I am talking about the wide range of cooling units available for all kinds of budgets. But there is more to the picture.

The market is flooded with a plethora of deals, be it special discounts or easy installments. Don't be an ignorant fool, do your research and find the offer that suits you best. Luxury does not require compromise, it just needs a little planning.

Also, a number of highly energy efficient options allow you to choose a unit that will not burden your budget too much with its bill. Smaller ACs usually require lesser power to run, however, even powerful ACs are available with economy modes which keep you at optimum temperature while smartly managing your electricity costs too.

5. Its Raining Features

The world is getting smarter, and so are the ACs. Once you've got the basics sorted, a few cool features to please the child in you won't hurt at all.

It’s a supermarket of technology out there. From antibacterial filters for heightened hygiene to timers for energy saving.

There are available in the market, ACs that auto restart after the power failure and have in built voltage protection so the inevitable power fluctuations do not hamper your prized possession.

Most come with easy clean pre-filters, they catch dust, soot, hair, etc. these can be conveniently slid off to clean for optimum efficiency of your units. What you might miss out on though, are the condensers. Try to look out for models with copper condensers. Aluminium condensers are not bad, but the copper ones are more long lasting and efficient.

Then of course, there is also the cool, smart technology that allows you to sync your units with other devices. The age for waiting for cooling is over, you can turn on your AC as you leave from work, let it make home a little more welcome for you.

All this and more is out for grabs, all you have to do, is go get it!

6. Cause smart can also be pretty

I know it’s not about beauty, but about what’s inside and all that. But we're a modern world with our swanky furniture and pastel wall colors and modular kitchens and what not. So why ruin the look with an antique piece, unless that’s what you're going for. There is a wide variety of new sleek and swanky models in all kinds of interesting colors to choose from. So don't compromise, you deserve pretty.

So, you might still be a while away from picking out your perfect match of air conditioners, but I hope this helped you get a little closer to it!

The brand Videocon was started some three decades ago. It was also one of the first company which introduced Semi Automatic washing machine. It today enjoys a position of being one of the most trusted brands in the electronic goods industry in India.