2016

BASIC GUIDE
FOR SMALL
HOME AIR
CONDITIONER
| CHOOSING | USING | BUYING |
Nathan Gale

Created by
ACH Team
5/30/2016

2nd edition
May 2016

ACH | Air Conditioner Home Team

BASIC GUIDE FOR SMALL HOME

AIR CONDITIONER
CHOOSING | BUYING | USING
TABLE OF CONTENTS :
INTRODUCTION
Page 1

ARTICLE 01:
What Air Conditioner To Buy For
Your Home or Work space
Page 2

ARTICLE 02:
Determining the air conditioner
cooling / heating power for
smaller houses
Page 3-4

ARTICLE 03:
Choosing the type of air
conditioner for smaller living
space
Page 5-6

ARTICLE 04:
Where and how to install air
conditioner
Page 7

RTICLE 05:
How to choose the right
manufacturer of air conditioner
Page 8

ARTICLE 06:
How to perform basic regular
maintenance of air conditioner
Page 9

ENDNOTE
Page 10

Introduction
In most of the climatic regions
with extreme weathers, getting an
air conditioner is quintessential to
have. Whether it is unbearable
sweating hot with scorching sun or
bone-chilling cold, you cant make it
a go without a good air conditioner.
Since the first air conditioner was
invented, a lot of improvement has
been incorporated and modern air
conditioners are quite robust and
state-of-the-art household items.
Now, we have not only smart air
conditioners but they are also
portable as well as slimmer and
smarter in size. They have gone
green to contribute to the
environment as well. Wide variety
of cooling and heating devices
nowadays
causes
The
Air
Conditioner Guide on How to buy
the best air conditioner for home to
be almost a necessity to have and
read before choosing the right air
conditioner for your house or flat.

The USA is by far the largest market that

demands the best
air conditioners.
Companies are working to their best with the
top-notch technologies to bring forth latest
innovations in the air conditioning industries.
Huge demand for the air conditioners has
been observed in most parts of the US.
Southern regions are quite hot throughout
the summers and northern ones are quite
snowy. This is where all of the regions look
for the best air conditioners.

Air Conditioners for smaller spaces

Small families with small
homes that range up to
approximately 2000 sqft.
are always perplexed as to
what could be the best AC
option to go for. Their air
conditioning demands differ
from that of larger homes,
commercial buildings and

industrial units. Although,

central
air
conditioning
system can be installed yet
this option can come out to
be very expensive for
smaller families. This is
where
they
resort
to
portable and split air
conditioners and where tips

from
ACH
team
Air
Conditioner Guide on how
to buy the best air
conditioner for home can be
more
than
useful
guideline for making the
right decision and avoiding
crucial
air
conditioning
mistakes in your family
home space.

Air Conditioner Home Guide | Article 01

Page 2

What Air Conditioner To Buy

How to choose the best air conditioner for home
Steps in determining the right Home Air Conditioner

To quickly
determine the
approximate
cooling or heating
power needed for
your house you can
use our:
ONLINE AIR
CONDTIONER
POWER
CALCULATOR

In the moment when You should

determine the appropriate air conditioner
unit for smaller residential or business
spaces such as single family houses,
flats, offices, stores , the first question
you will ask yourself will be, what type of
air conditioner to choose. In this case of
small spaces (under 1000sqft), You
should not have a lot of concerns,
because the best way to go is with the
installation of split system air conditioner.
In the case of a larger house (10002000sqft) with many rooms, You can
install multi-split systems (one outdoor
unit and several interior AC units). Split
systems always have a small advantage
over the window air conditioning units.

Window air conditioning units should be

installed in case you need to cool only
one smaller space (room, office, under
100sqft) or if it is not possible to install
a split system. Portable air conditioning
units should be avoided and their
acquisition and installation is only
justified if it is not possible to install split
system AC or window AC unit, and/or if
for some reason you need just a
portable air conditioner, such as for
buildings that are not air-conditioned on
a regular basis and which need short
time cooling (or heating) (temporary
facilities, in case of transition period to
the installation of a new AC unit, or in
case of a old AC unit failure ...).

Air Conditioner prices

Prices of air conditioners

are very well established
matching to their quality,
due to the large and
transparent market, which
simply means that if you
want a more reliable and
more durable airconditioning you must be

willing to give a bit more

money for an AC unit. The
price of the AC device is
adjusted in relation to the
quality and strength of the
device. So when selecting
air conditioners for houses
or apartments first step
will be to determine the

necessary cooling/heating
power of the air
conditioner (in Btu or RT
or kW). Then it is
necessary to determine
the type of air conditioning
system that will be
installed (Split system,
Multi-split system,
Portable or Window, air
conditioner unit). Along
with determining the type
In this site, we discuss only the types of air conditioners
thatconditioner,
are used for
smaller
of air
You
living spaces (area up to 2000 sqft). For larger residential
homes
commercial
should
decideorthe
exact
buildings (over 2000 sqft), engineers consider and calculate
the
position in
theinstallment
room whereof
centralized water heat pump or chiller with fan coil waterthe
distribution,
AC unit willorbecentral air
handling chamber with air duct distribution of the treated (cooled
/ heated)
air. last
installed.
And finally
step will be choosing the
appropriate AC
manufacturer.

Air Conditioner Home Guide | Article 02

Page 3

Determining the air conditioner power

for small homes
Selection of adequate air conditioning
unit power is quite significant. Especially
because we do not want to choose AC
unit with lower power capacity than
needed since it will not be able to cool or
heat interior space for which it has been
acquired. Undersized Air Conditioner
unit with low cooling or heating power
will work continuously without a break,
because it is not able to cool the room to
the desired temperature. This situation
will increase the cost of electric energy
and reduce the life of the air conditioner.
Also selecting air conditioning unit with
much more power than needed for our

space, is a bad situation too, because AC

unit will quickly cool down the air in our
house which will cause frequently starting
and stopping of the AC device and
this badly affects the vital spare parts of
the Air Conditioner (compressor and fans)
and therefore also shortens the AC unit
lifetime. Plus, power oversized Air
Conditioning unit is likely to have poor air
distribution, such as a blowing too strong,
causing an uncomfortable effect on people
in the room, or it will have uneven cooling
with different temperatures in separate
parts of the room.

This is why it is very important to

choose adequate air conditioning power
for our space. A precise calculation of
the necessary thermal power for air
conditioning is not simple and involves
many engineering parameters (wall
thickness, type of walls and insulation,
orientation of external walls, insulation of
floor, ceiling and the surrounding rooms,
roof type, geographic location, position,
type and size of windows, location
position in relation to the wind, sun and
many other scientific data ...), but for
small objects that interest us, power can
be experientially approximated relatively
quickly according to size of the surface
area that needs to be cooled (for a
standard ceiling height, and that no
additional large heat sources are
present in the room, such as for
example the kitchen, where there are
stoves, ovens ...).

Attached bellow is an approximation table

with values for the power of the air
conditioner related to the floor area of the
space that needs to be air-conditioned.
(Measuring units used for AC cooling /
heating power: RT is refrigeration ton; Btu
is British Thermal Unit, kW is kilo-Watt). Or
you can use our simple online ac power
calculator:

Undersized Air
Conditioner unit
with low cooling or
heating power will
work continuously
without a break

Page 4

Air Conditioner Home Guide | Article 02

ACH TEAM
Online AC Power
calclulator

Air Conditioner sizing

calculator:
Power unit presented in:
BTU Calculator
AC tonnage calculator
kW AC power

Were on the Web!

www.airconditionerhome.com

Air Conditioner Home Power Chart

This chart is just for the first orientation to get a quick information about approximate cooling or heating power you will need
in your home or office. For precise calculation you must consult licensed HVAC engineer.

Company Name
Page 5

Air Conditioner Home Guide | Article 03

Air Conditioning units

for apartments, rooms,
houses, officies

Choosing the right type of air conditioner

for small living space
Split Air Conditioner

Split Air Conditioner

Split Air Conditioner or

Split system takes up a
minimum of space in the
interior of the room which
is
air-conditioned.
Installation of the split
system air conditioner is
relatively simple. The only
drawback
is
the
positioning of external
(outdoor) AC unit of the
split system on the higher
floors and access to it for
mounting, servicing or
repairs, for this reason,
the external split system

unit is necessary to install

on the outer wall under
the window, or on the
terrace, or if there is a
secure platform on the
outer wall on which is safe
to walk and stand then
place the outdoor unit
above this platform, all in
order to secure safe and
easy access to it. The
indoor split system air
conditioner unit can be
easily mounted on the
inner wall near the ceiling
(just
install
mounting

brackets and drill the

smaller hole about 4
inches diameter in the wall
for the passage of the
pipes, cables and hose to
the outdoor unit). The
indoor unit also does not
take up much space in the
room and if installed
properly, air distribution is
more efficient than air
distribution from a window
air conditioner or portable
air conditioner.

Window Air Conditioner

Window Air Conditioner

Window Air Conditioner and

Wall unit Air Conditioner
only advantage over the
Split Air Conditioner is that
the entire device is packed
in one whole unit, and there
is no need for special work
on connecting the indoor
and outdoor unit. However,
Window Air Conditioner unit
requires a much larger hole
in the wall or window and is
generally placed lower (at
window
height),
which
disrupts the aesthetic look
of the room and somewhat
causes
worse
air

distribution than the Split

Air Conditioner. Also,
since the Window Air
Conditioner device is all
packed together as one
unit (compressor, fans), it
produces more noise than
split
system
air
conditioner, and this may
be a problem for sensitive
people, so avoid window
air conditioner installment
into a space where you
are sleeping or space
where it is necessary to
have silence (like reading
room). Furthermore, when

window AC is removed, it
requires
bigger
construction works on
repairing the big holes in
the wall or window. Wall
AC unit is very similar to
window AC unit but it is
prepacked especially for
wall installation. Initial
investment costs due to
construction work needed
can be much higher and
must be carefully planned
before purchasing and
mounting this AC unit
type.

Page 6

Air Conditioner Home Guide | Article 03

Portable Air Conditioner

Portable Air Conditioner
unit,
except
being
movable
and
doesn't
require special work on
installing,
has
no
advantage over split air
conditioner and
window
air
conditioner
units,
especially as a permanent
solution
for
the
air
conditioning space. One
of the drawbacks of the
Portable Air Conditioner
unit is the need for manual
discharge
of
the
condenser
container
(every several hours). Its
acquisition and usage is
only justified for smaller
rooms and rooms that
need
air
conditioning
temporarily or if for some
reason it is not possible to
install a split system air

conditioner or window or
wall unit air conditioner, or
there is a need for
frequent relocation of the
air conditioner. Also, it has
a higher level of noise
compared to the split
system air conditioner
indoor unit. Additional
inconvenience is the big
hose for hot air exhaust
wich must be placed to
blow hot air to outdoor
space. If you can't use
room window for exhaust
hose you will have to use
the door, and if the door is
in the interior room it will
introduce the hot air to the
neighboring
room
(or
space). This can make
neighboring
room
unbearably hot.

Summary
The conclusion is definitely that for a smaller living space, if possible we should first
consider the possibility of installing a Split Air Conditioner, and then on second place
Window Air Conditioner. Portable Air Conditioner unit, You should use only where it is
not possible or reasonable to install a split system or window AC unit.

Split Air Conditioner

is probably always the
best option for small
home air conditioning

Company Name
Page 7

Air Conditioner Home Guide | Article 04

Where and how to install air conditioner for

home
How to find the best position for air conditioner in your home

Installation of split,
window and wall air
conditioner must be
performed by HVAC
technician

Air conditioner needs to

be installed in the place,
where it is easy to access
AC unit for maintenance
and repair. Also, pay
attention that the air
conditioner is installed in a
location that will allow
better
air
distribution
through space, to avoid
blowing cold air directly
into people and that there
are no obstacles to
exhaust air from the air
conditioner (pillars, walls,
shelves, cabinets). It is
desirable to install AC unit
near the electric power
outlet, to avoid stretching
long cables because it
would increase the risk of
their
breaking.
Air
conditioner
must
be
correctly positioned and
leveled without inclination
(to avoid a spill from the
condenser tubes) and well
attached to the wall or in a
window without vibration
while in working mode.

For split system and

window AC units pay
attention
to
install
condensate line in a way
that it will be carried to the
nearest point of the
drainage.
Condensate
pipes or hoses, install with
a
necessary
slope
towards
the
central
drainage point. For a split
system, pay attention that
the external unit must be
located in a place where
there are no obstructions
of airflow and if possible
don't expose outdoor unit
directly to sun or wind
gusts. If the outdoor unit is
located on the upper
floors, it is desirable to
mount it under the window
or on the terrace, for easy
and safe access. On the
lower floors or ground,
consider
putting
a
protective cage over the
external AC unit (to
prevent damage or theft).
Take into account that the

distance from the outdoor

and indoor AC unit is not
too large (directed by the
manufacturer or max 30ft).
Split system AC copper
pipes, must not be bare,
they must be wrapped in
adequate
thermal
insulation
layer.
For
portable AC unit, pay
attention that hose for the
hot air waste exhaust is
carried out from the room
into
the
external
environment. When using
air conditioners ensure
that there is no infiltration
of the outside ambient air
(close all doors and
windows). Below the AC
units don't place electrical
appliances such as a TV
or a computer, as this may
cause
water
dripping
directly on them in the
case of condensate hose
clogging and therefore
greater damage to them.

What are important guidelines for air conditioner installation

It is wise to leave the
installation of air conditioning
unit to a qualified technician,
authorized for this type of
work. If you are not able to
control the execution of the
works, be sure to inspect the

AC unit at the end of the

works and check that the
technicians
filled
the
guidelines that are listed
here (if the air conditioner is
placed correctly, whether
there are vibrations, is

condense line adequately

drawn to the point of
drainage, whether the air
flow on the outside and on
the inside of the AC unit is
unobstructed, whether it is
possible to remove the air
filter easily ...).
.

Company Name
Page 8

Air Conditioner Home Guide | Article 05

How to choose the right manufacturer of air

conditioner
What are some specifics for different air conditioner
manufacturers sorted by the country of origin
In general, how much
money are you ready to
spend
on
AC
unit
corresponds to the quality
level of AC unit you will
get. Today the HVAC
(heating, ventilation, and
air conditioning) industry
and market are highly
developed, widespread &
transparent throughout the
world. The result is that
the
prices
of
air
conditioners
between

manufacturers are equally

adjusted to the product
quality and You will hardly
make a mistake if You
purchase air conditioner
from authorized retailers.
Of course, there may be
minor differences from
seller to seller, so if you
want to save a few bucks
and have the time it does
not hurt to check in a few
shops before you buy.
Manufacturers are pretty

well sorted in a relation of

price and quality, so you can
choose the best and most
expensive or the cheapest
and
lower
quality
AC
product. While it is hard to
point to the real best
manufacturer, however, we
can talk about some of the
trends and AC unit specifics
in relation to the country of
origin of the manufacturer

Air Conditioner Manufacturers - Production Trends

European manufacturers of air conditioning
equipment (as well in general for technical
equipment), often give emphasis on the
aesthetic appearance of the product or even
artistic impression. AC units are made with
solid energy efficiency, good-looking form,
good quality, with not so frequent failures, but
when failure occur there might be the problem
of difficult acquirement of spare parts.
Japanese
and
South
Korean
manufacturers such as Fujitsu and LG,
produce mainly a modern high-tech looking
AC units with an emphasis on reliable
automation and precise control of the device,
with a large number of options for regulating
the device. Their products are made with very
high energy efficiency. The failure is rare, but
if occurs it is usually fatal or expensive to
repair. Failure of these AC units are mostly
caused by wrong handling and not following
the manufacturer's instructions.
Chinese Air Conditioner manufacturers are
mainly characterized by lower prices. The

devices are not high-class quality and are

simpler in design. A lifetime of AC unit is shorter
and failures are not rare but usually, failures are
simple to fix. Their advantage may be an easier
way to purchase spare parts and much lower
cost of spare parts. Of course, to avoid
complete geographical generalization, there are
Chinese manufacturers such as Midea, who by
the quality of their product can be classified
among top world producers.
North
American
Air
Conditioner
manufacturers are my natural favorites. USA
product as in many industry spheres is
characterized by the raw power and strength
that can survive the shock from the nuclear
bomb. By appearance, they may be big and
robust, but that is all pure muscles and
durability. Energy efficiency is generally good.
Spare parts (if from the US) are the highest
quality. The disadvantage is that they are not
much present outside the Continent in other
parts of the World. Failures are not frequent and
usually not fatal and can be fixed relatively easy.

These are just some of the subjective opinions based on generalized characteristics of
air equipment manufacturers, specific for a particular geographic area at this moment.
You must understand that there are always exceptions like I mentioned and that these
aspects are constantly changing.

Company Name
Page 9

Air Conditioner Home Guide | Article 06

How to perform regular maintenance of air

conditioner
For what service work on your air conditioner you should hire HVAC
professional technician
In order for air conditioning
to work as efficiently as
possible and to prevent
failures and to extend the
lifetime of AC unit, it is very
important to conduct
regular maintenance. For
the main service that is
carried out on average at
least once a year, the
engagement of a

professional technician is
inevitable. HVAC
Technician will perform
washing and disinfection
of AC units (condenser,
evaporator, air filter),
check the gas (freon)
pressures and refill the
gas if necessary and
identify and fix any leaks
of gas if present, check

condenser and evaporator

exchanger fins and fix them
if they are deformed, check
electrical installations and
remove burned parts and
tighten connections, check
and unclog or replace
condenser drain hose or
pipe if necessary.

What simple maintenance operations can you perform on your air

conditioner
However, the owner or user
may himself carry out some
simple
actions
on
maintenance
that
will
improve the performance of
air conditioner. First, You
must turn off the air
conditioner from the electric
power supply and remove
the air filter and then wash
the filter under warm
running water. Removing
the air filter is usually not
complicated. Often you can
remove the air filter, just by
lifting or pulling the front

plastic cover of AC unit,

but it is best to refer to the
manufacturer's directions
obtained with the device
because this procedure is
always
explained
in
manuals). Also, the owner
can clean plastic covers
of the air conditioner with
a clean cloth and little
water, at least from the
outside. When the front
plastic mask cover of AC
unit is raised and the air
filter is removed, you can
clean the dust around the

evaporator with a vacuum

cleaner. It can also be
quite easy to find and buy
spray disinfectant for air
conditioners
and
evaporator in local stores
and if you have one,
spray it on AC unit and
leave it to dry. When the
AC unit and air filter
becomes dry after a few
hours, return the air filter
back to the air conditioner
and close the cover, plug
it in, and switch on the
power supply.

How often should you clean air conditioner

If you have an
opportunity, you can use
water hose with sprinkler to
wash external condenser
unit with running water (with
or without the use of
chemical detergents for AC
heat exchanger). The air

filter keeps dust and dirt

in order not to clog the
evaporator (heat
exchanger) of the air
conditioner. Dirty
exchanger, significantly
reduce the energy
efficiency of air

conditioners and in the

extreme case could block
air flow and stop AC unit.
Therefore, it is advisable
to wash your filter, at
least, every two or three
months.

Page 10

AIRCONDITIONERHOME
ACH TEAM

Air Conditioner Home Guide | ENDNOTE

ACH TEAM is a group of HVAC engineers, designers and technicians with a great
experience in selecting and implementing HVAC equipment. The purpose of this
guides is to use our knowledge and expertise to help other people in finding the best
air conditioner units for their family homes, offices or some other smaller spaces.

Air Conditioner for home buying

guides.
Air conditioning tips.
Air conditioner recommended
products shop.
Online air conditioner shop

Check our website for other useful content. Get latest air conditioner guides, HVAC
News, air purifiers information and much more.

www.airconditionerhome.com
E-mail: office@airconditionerhome.com
Were on the Web!
www.airconditionerhome.com