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Strategies to stay cool
The great variety of air conditioner styles available on the market, along with the unique designs and capabilities of these units, give us more ways than ever to keep cool whatever the weather. Aside from keeping the temperature in a room low, room air conditioners circulate air, control humidity, and filter some particulate matter out of the air stream.
What kind of air conditioner do I need?
Popular mechanics
Central air conditioning systems offer a great deal of control and unrivaled power. Once reserved for businesses and luxury residences, central air conditioning units create a large volume of conditioned air in one place, and then distribute this cooled air mass via ducts and pipes. Preferable for controlling the temperature of large spaces, central air conditioning systems can be expensive to install, particularly in places without the necessary infrastructure.
Portable room air conditioners are an alternative. These units can be operated in any room and easily wheeled from place to place. More powerful than past models, these units can provide anywhere from 5,000 to 30,000 BTU per hour of cooling power, as much as many central air systems. Furthermore, advances in cooling technology have resulted in greater energy efficiency. Portable air conditioners can do more with less-saving money and salving the conscience of the ecologically sensitive. Digital thermostats, another innovation, give precise control, fine-tuning the environment in a given area.
Semi-permanent options include the use of a window air conditioning unit, easily mounted on a windowsill. Split air conditioners separate the functional units of the system into two parts connected by a flexible pipe so that the unit inside the room is quite small. Only slightly more difficult to install than a window unit, the small size of the interior part will appeal to aesthetes, while the powerful cooling ability of the system will create an ideal environment.
What else do I need to know?
The right tool for the right job
The size of the unit required depends on the space being cooled. A general rule is that 5,000 to 6,000 BTU per hour models cool rooms 100 to 300 square feet; 7,000 to 8,200 BTU per hour models cool rooms 250 to 550 square feet; and 9,800 to 12,500 BTU per hour models cool rooms 350 to 950 square feet. Climate, amount of direct sunlight, and insulation affect the ability of a unit to control the temperature in a space.
Third-party certification assures the quality of the appliance. Some certified Energy Star units qualify for special state-sponsored rebates and tax credits. To function correctly, any unit must be cleaned periodically, particularly the filters. If possible, clean any part of the unit placed outdoors as well.
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