Although air conditioners have been around from the early years of the last century, the industry has been witnessing a tremendous growth in the past few years. This sudden interest among customers have led to new products being developed and marketed by all the brands big or small. This flood of new models has made it difficult for many customers to choose the right unit for their needs.

The problem is further complicated by different sales persons promoting their products in different ways. There are those who claim that air conditioners can replace your need for dehumidifiers. It is a fact that air conditioners do control the humidity of the air. But it is equally true that air conditioners can in no way be compared to dehumidifiers. The primary task of an air conditioner is to regulate the temperature of an enclosed space, be it a room or an entire building. That it dehumidifies is an additional benefit. But it is not a replacement for a dehumidifier.

First of all, the freestanding air conditioner is the easiest to install. In fact there is hardly anything to install. You only have to plug it in and it is ready to start working. But with window air conditioners, and more so with central air conditioners, you need to go through a lot of installation work. This does not only mean that you have to put up with a considerable amount of hassle, but you also got to spend a significant sum of money to get the units installed. There are no such costs with a freestanding air conditioner.

Then there are those who claim that air conditioner can be a good replacement for an air purifier. Again such claims are highly exaggerated. Of course most air conditioners do come with a filter but the kind of filtration an air conditioner provides is in no way comparable to the filtration provided by an air purifier with a HEPA filter. So if someone has severe allergic or asthma problems, installing an air condition would not be good enough.

What however is important about air conditioners is hardly stressed on by the average sales person. They would seldom talk about the energy efficiency of the air conditioner though that is an important deciding factor. The energy efficiency of your air conditioner would decide how much your running costs you will need to bear. And since by choosing the proper air conditioner you can save up to 40% of your electricity bills, the efficiency of your air conditioner is very important.

The other thing that is important is the capacity of air conditioner you need. The capacity you will need in your unit would depend on the room you want to install it in. all you got to know is the floor area of the room and quoting that figure would help the air conditioner contractor to guide you on what capacity of air conditioner you need.

Which would you rather do, fix a noisy air conditioner or buy a new one? If you answered “fix it” – good for you! The most common causes of strange noises coming from window air conditioners is either faulty installation or loose parts in the unit.

But you can repair both of these yourself.

Bad Installation

Installing a window unit isn’t hard, but even a slight misplacement of the unit can cause a problem. Usually, a noisy air conditioner that is installed in a window isn’t sitting properly on the frame or window itself. On most air conditioners, there is a notch, or series of notches that are extra wide and designed to work with most sills and windows – even older ones. Extra padding, foam and shock absorbent materials are placed near these slots by the manufacturer. The reason is because these areas are in contact with the most solid wood, or frame, and thus most of the weight of the unit is placed in that area, or distributed there.

So, if the unit isn’t sitting right, the moving parts (fan) and heavy pieces that generate noise (compressor) no longer have the cushion, or support. The result is a very audible rattling or noise coming from the window.

So, all you have to do is check to make sure the unit is sitting properly on the window sill or frame. And use the provided screws to fasten the unit to the window, because this will further brace the window and window unit.

Parts are loose

Modern air conditioners have moving parts. Fans and compressors are a few of the more noticeable things that can go wrong and ‘rattle’ if they become loose. The obvious answer to fixing a loose part is to reattach it. This might require glue, pliers, maybe a screwdriver. So, what I’m trying to say is…you can do it. Don’t be intimidated. The most common repair is the fan being loose.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, because so many more things can be causing the problem. You can discover more causes for the rattling by clicking the link to my free energy blog.

What about central A/C units? What can I do there if I hear a rattling?

There’s less user-serviceable features about a central air conditioner. Actually, the window unit doesn’t strictly have user serviceable features either, but the assembly is easier to get to. Still, the most prominent issue with central a/c noise is debris. Leaves, sticks, twigs, branches, dirt, stones, roofing tiles, screws, nails, tools – you name it, somehow ends up in the unit (at the top) and coming in contact with the fan. And this is usually the reason you hear a rattle or thump.

The solution: Remove the obstruction or debris. Fortunately, the fan housing is very easy to access. If you can’t pull the obstruction out with tweezers or pliers, turn the unit off completely (so the fan doesn’t turn on when you’re working) and remove the upper housing. Then its just a matter of removing the problem debris.

You should feel proud – you just saved a lot of money by not calling someone to look at your “problem”!

Perhaps the most widely used air conditioners are the casement window air conditioners. They are quite popular for heating and cooling in both domestic and commercial premises. The basic advantage of a window air conditioner is that unlike the central air conditioners and the split air conditioners, it fits well in the window giving a good look and it does not occupy any space of the room at all.

Moreover, casement window air conditioners do not need to be shifted every now and then from one place to the other. However, like any other air conditioning equipment, it produces noise, the intensity of which differs with the type and size of the window air conditioners. Constant noise can indeed be very disturbing and distressing to the home and surrounding residents.

It is, therefore, advisable for the consumer to compare window air conditioners by checking the sound power level labels on the unit or in the literature specifications. The noise levels are often given in decibel ratings and the higher the decibel level, the louder the unit will be. The sound pressure increases by a factor of ten for every 10-decibel increase. For example, 60 Decibels is 10 times louder than 50 Decibels and 100 times louder than 40 Decibels.

The compressor and the fan are combined in a single unit and mounted in the window air conditioners and this is the source of all the noise in the air conditioner. The other causes of noise could be worn bearings, cabinet rattles, dirty or rusty fan blades, worn rubber mountings and compressor wear. Regular maintenance can reduce the noise to some extent but with the passing of time, there is bound to be an increase in the level of the noise.

You should check whether your window air conditioner is vibrating or producing a rattling noise and if so, then it is not a normal situation. The reason for this can be improper installation or loose side panels. If, however, you hear a scraping noise, you should either take the help of an authorized service provider or you can also try to find out the cause and repair it yourself.

The following steps can help you in tracking the fault and repairing it:

You should tighten the screws holding the front panel onto the unit. You should check carefully the window all round the unit. You should then turn the window air conditioner on and press your hand against the sash. If you find that as you press your hand against the sash, the sound changes in pitch, then you should put some wooden shims in the gap between the window air conditioners frame and the sash. If, however, the pitch of the noise changes when you press your hand on the glass, you should use some insulating cellophane tape between the glass and the frame. You might have to use putty if that does not reduce the noise.

If you feel that the sound is originating from within the unit, you should take the unit out of the window and check to see if the fan blades are bent. If so, just bend them back so that they match the others.

As with anything, rating airconditioners would also mean that we need to fix up certain parameters to compare them against. Conventionally, air-conditioner/s have been judged on two counts (though there are other factors which also should be looked at) – the BTU and the EER.

BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. For a window air conditioner, the BTU can range from anything between 5,000 to 18,000 units. The capacity of an air conditioner is directly proportional to the BTU. So, higher the BTU in an airconditionerss, the higher will be its capacity. However, it also must be borne into mind that the higher the BTU ratings the costlier the air-conditioner is. Now, if you are buying an air-conditioner for your room, the general theory is to multiply the square foot area of your room by 35. This will give you an indication as to what capacity of an air conditioner you would need.

EER is the acronym for Energy Efficient Ratio. This gives us an indication as to how energy efficient the air conditioner is. The more efficient an air conditioner is, that is higher the higher its EER ratings are, the less power will the unit consume and consequently the electricity bills will be lesser.

There are other factors that also are considered in reviewing an air conditioner. There is always the factor of performance. Whatever may the literature of a certain model of air conditioner say about its BTU and EER ratings, it has to live up to its billing. And that we can judge only after having a look at its performance.

There is also the issue of the noise produced. While with some air conditioners you wouldn’t even notice that it is working, some produce a constant humming sound which can be quite irritating for some people.

There is also the issue of the pollutants emitted. If an air conditioner comes with the tag of ‘No-CFC’, it definitely works to his own advantage. Again if it does let out pollutants, then it harms its ratings.

Finally there is the issue of style and looks. Though this is a very subjective thing, and would vary from reviewer to reviewer yet this is also crucial to the overall review of the air conditioner. As an air conditioner is visible wherever you put it up it should be stylish enough to blend in with the rest of the room decor.

If you intend to buy a casement window air conditioner, there are some things to consider first. You do have to remember that although there are several machines with the same brands, specifications and even price tag, there are still differences (both subtle and major) between all of them. Perhaps one of the first things you should decide on first is whether or not you do need (want) a portable air conditioner. If you have an HVAC installed, such a machine can only add to your expenses considerably. It would be best to make minor room improvements if one part of your house does not seem to be getting enough cooling.

Also, if you have a very limited area, cramped to the gills with stuff, a portable air conditioner may not work well at all. Yes, these smaller machines are ideal for small spaces. However, like a casement window air conditioner unit, a portable air conditioner needs to have access to a heat sink (or open and free flowing air that can be used to cool the condenser of the machine.) If you space is too cramped and air does not flow as freely, you need to at least remove some stuff in order to (quite literally) let the room breathe.

Once you have got that settled, we can now focus our attention to the pressing question of whether or not an expensive portable air conditioner is always better than the less pricey models.

Budget? ah, it?s the age old concern. Of course, this is a primary consideration for many of us because some units can reach easily into the thousand dollar range. Even the less expensive models can be more than a hundred dollars at the very least. If you have rather deep pockets, you can choose whatever brand or specifications you like. An energy saving unit can be a worthwhile investment, and may afford you a bit of savings on your utility bills in the long run. However, if you have limited options, units costing between $100 and $200 may serve you well too. The key is to look at specifications, and see what can be of greatest service to you.

If you have a very, very small space, a unit with a cooling capacity of 2.64 kW should be more than enough. At maximum power, this is enough to cool your tootsies to a numbing level. One concern for small spaces is the noise level of the machine. Anything louder than 60 dBA is definitely not good.

If you are in no particular hurry to get your own portable air conditioner, you could wait for sales: blow-out sales, closing sales, warehouse sales ? anything. You can get the best deals here yet. Check online stores for promotional deals as well. And before you take home a unit, make sure that you get all the privileges possible like: guarantees, warranties, and the lot. Not because you got it on sale, means the seller can skimp on the required services add-ons.

A hint of advice for those on really tight budgets: we do not recommend buying second hand units. Some of these may have defects or damages already that may give you more problems in the future than its actual worth in cash.

An air conditioner is a requirement in households, factories as well as events, functions etc. However, you cannot expect the person to install a new air conditioner for a one-day event. Even if you want to install an air conditioner at your place during the summer months and do not want to make such a big investment, then air conditioner rentals are the best thing for you.

These are companies, which provide air conditioners on rent for a short term or a long-term basis. There are two types of Air conditioners that you can rent. The window Air conditioner is the more common variety used widely across the world and you also have a portable air conditioner, which can be moved, according to your preference.

Window Air Conditioner

The casement window air conditioner is the type, which is installed on your window. These are excellent for household usage or for small offices etc. You can easily get an air conditioner on rent at discounted prices during the hot summer months. However, it is better if you book the sir conditioner early during summer, because the demand increases.

When you contact an air conditioner rentals company, a representative will visit your place and inspect the room where the Air conditioner needs to be installed. He/she will then suggest what tonnage will be required for your room. The rent often differs according to the tonnage. Then you need to fill up the form and the company representatives will come with a carpenter, install the frame then the Air conditioner and finally will seal all the gaps (if any) between the air conditioner and the frame.

Portable Air conditioner

Used more in big warehouses and factories where a single central cooling unit is not sufficient. They are also used for specific spot cooling. Portable air conditioners can be rented according to their tonnage. They range from 2.5 to 30 tones. They can be used and then moved on their wheeled casters. If you rent this one for a house, you can use and then move it to a different room if needed.

A cool house is a popular thing for people to look forward to on hot, humid summer days. As beautiful as summer is, the heat quickly wears you down and one of the best ways to cool down and relax from the impact of the sun is to walk into a home that is being cooled down with a functioning air conditioning system. Unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury of central air conditioning for their home, apartment, or office. The good news is that there is more than one option when it comes to cooling down the inside of your home.

There are many air conditioning options to choose from that are cost effective and energy efficient. You can choose between all kinds of window air conditioners, portable air conditioners, and portable evaporative coolers to make the summer heat endurable. The hard part isn’t finding a cooling system that you can afford, but rather deciding which cooling system will work best for you. Below we have mentioned some of the important air cooler descriptions for you to consider when determining which type will best suit your needs.

Aside from central cooling, window air conditioners are very common. Homeowners enjoy them because they are affordable and they are powerful enough to cool down a single room or studio. This works out great of you live alone and spend most of your time in a single room such as your bedroom, office, basement, etc. They work best if you have a vertically opening window. Also, they are convenient in that that they do not require any additional ventilation and they save valuable floor space. Furthermore, window air conditioners require very little maintenance and can be programmed to turn on and off whenever you specify.

Portable air conditioners are loved because they can be moved around from one room to the next. People often end up using portable air conditioners as oscillating fans, odor removers or dehumidifiers. Most of them have built in condensation tanks which need to be emptied periodically. These tanks automatically turn off when they become full which keeps water from spilling onto the floor. Other portable systems include a self-evaporation features which automatically ventilates excess moisture out of the room. However, keep in mind that portable air conditioners do require a window ventilation hose to function correctly.

Evaporative coolers, also knows as swamp coolers, work differently then air conditioners. They do not use any type of refrigeration to cool the air. They do, however, use the natural cooling process of evaporating water to cool the air which then gets blown into the room. The pros to evaporative coolers are that they are less expensive than air conditioners and they use much less electricity to cool a room. Furthermore, evaporative coolers are low maintenance and inexpensive to repair in most cases. Keep in mind; these coolers are only effective in hot, humid temperatures.

Many of us would have preferred to install a central air conditioner but somehow the houses we stay in do not have the provision for one. And installing window air conditioners for all the rooms would mean blocking a window in each of the rooms. This can be a problem for some. There was hardly any solution in sight, till the introduction of the mini-split or ductless air conditioners. Sometimes they are also referred to as the duct-free air conditioners.

The ductless air conditioners basically are a derivative from the central air conditioning system and the window air conditioning system taking the plusses from both, and removing the restrictions of each. The necessity for inventing this ductless air conditioners can be traced back to a few reasons. First of all, not all houses had the provision for ducts being installed. Even if the house had provisions, installing ducts would be a pretty expensive exercise.

For the ductless air conditioners an outside unit is installed on the exterior walls of the building. It can also be on the roof of the building. The unit would include the compressor. Since this is a very important part of the device it needs to be sheltered. The units installed inside the rooms include an evaporator. These are installed high on the walls or even in the ceiling of the rooms which you want to regulate the temperature of. The outdoor and indoor units are connected through a refrigerant pipe. This pipe is about 3 inches in diameter. The pipe is passed through a hole that is drilled into the wall. A single outdoor unit can be connected to a maximum of three units indoors.

Once you have understood what needs to be done, you can then proceed with the job of cutting the hole. Always remember to set the unit slightly out of level. This will allow the condensate to drain easily. Plugging the unit is also crucial and it should be done with proper attention. Check the voltage it needs to be plugged in – whether 120 volts or 240 volts. It shouldn’t happen that the unit overloads the outlet circuit. Another small thing but we often forget to take care when we make the hole in the wall is that if the cord from the unit reaches the plug point.

This variant of air conditioners allows you to have separate zones in your house with different temperature controls. The plus for this air conditioner is that it does not block any of the windows inside the rooms. Another positive is the low levels of noise inside the house. Since the compressor rests outside the house, the noise levels naturally get reduced.

These air conditioners are a bit more expensive when compared to the window air conditioners. However, they are more economical than the central air conditioners. So it is ideal for those who want to do away with the noise and blocked windows that come with window air conditioners and also have a limited budget.

We have to accept one fact – electricity is expensive. And it is not only expensive for you but also for mother earth as her resources is being used to produce the electricity. With a central air conditioning system you actually end up wasting more energy than you use. Especially for small families where only one or two rooms are occupied at a time to have the entire house air conditioned is an unnecessary waste of energy.

With mini split air conditioners you can actually save a lot of the energy and at the same time you can enjoy the effects of air condition. With split air conditioners you can air condition the room you want to while the other rooms maintain normal temperature. The split air conditioners also come with in built thermostat. So it knows when to switch off and when to switch on again.

Apart from the savings on power you can also save on the installation cost. Installing a central air conditioning system would cost you a serious sum of money. You need to install ducts all over the house and that means a lot of building work. Not only it means more expenses but also a lot of hassles as you wouldn’t be able to use your house normally while the entire structure for the central air conditioners is put in place. With a split air conditioner there are no such problems. You just bring it form the store and it is ready to be installed. Therefore it is not only hassle free, it also saves you a lot of money.

With window air conditioners, the main problem is it is fixed. So we cannot move it around. For the window air conditioners also there is also the issue of installing it. You cannot do it by yourself and would need a professional’s help. So that would mean more expenditure and extra time and hassle.

Overall it is evident that split air conditioners are much cheaper than either the central air conditioning system or the window air conditioner. You have to invest less initially; you would not need to bear any installation cost; and you will save on your electricity bills. So one can’t see much reason as to not to opt for a split air conditioner. Even if he has a lot of money to spend and gets himself a central air conditioning system, he will need the split ACs for the hot spots.

An air conditioner that you can take anywhere or from room to room may be appealing for you especially if you live in a building where standard room air conditioners are not allowed or if window space is restricted.

However, three large portable air conditioners were tested that were said to have a cooling capacity of 10,000 Btu/hr, their performance gave little relief from the heat as compared with what their manufacturers claimed. Aside from that these appliances are quite expensive at $400 to $500 compared with the standard window air conditioners.

Most portable units include one exhaust hose that shifts air from inside the room over the air conditioners? condenser coils then finally the cooled air is released to the outside. These units also have low-profile vent adapter bracket that you put in a double-hung window which allows the hot, humid air to exhaust.

It is a fact that portable air conditioners may be convenient because you can move these but the units that were test delivered only half of their cooling capacity at the most. This means they performed with a 5 or 6 energy-efficient ratio (EER), the minimum EER should be nine. Standard window models have an EER as high as 12.

As a result of the above tests, people can?t help but conclude that air conditioners are inefficient. Why is this so? Basically, air which the portable air conditioner exhaust to the outside comes from the air inside but the energy which was meant to cool and dehumidify the air is wasted and is sent out through the vent hose. This kind of setup allows the warm, humid outside air to leak back inside the room that was supposed to be cooled.

On one hand, there are portable air conditioners that have a couple of hoses ? one hose is meant to bring in outside air to cool the condenser coils while the other hose releases the air to the outside. These types of air conditioners have not been tested yet but the setup is very similar to the standard window air conditioner. Since this is the case, it is possible that these types of portable air conditioner come closer to delivering the Btu/hr ratings that they tout. But shifting the air through the two hoses waste energy hence the efficiency levels are less than the standard window air conditioners.

Another factor which affects the efficiency of portable air conditioners is the moisture. During the operation of the portable air conditioner, water is accumulated and goes directly into the drain tank. It is this water that helps cool the condenser coils then it evaporates and gets released via the exhaust duct. Unfortunately some units were not designed to use the moisture or water, as a result you would have to empty the tank at least once or twice a day while using the portable air condition.

Knowing all of these, it is recommended to use the portable air conditioner only if it is not possible to use the standard window air conditioner.