The hot and humid weather in Malaysia can leave you feeling extremely irritable and tired, especially during a heatwave or even during the rainy season when humidity gets bumped up many notches.
For many, installing an air-conditioner at home makes all the difference to keeping you cool and comfortable, both during the day and at night.
But before you jump on the idea and the extra expense of purchasing a unit, read on for some wise advice on how to go about doing it right.
1. Horsepower
Choosing the horsepower of the air conditioner depends on the room the unit will be installed in. There are many factors to consider – heat exposure, room size and more.
As a general rule, the bigger the room the more horsepower is needed.
2. Wall or ceiling mounted
Choosing to go with a wall- or ceiling-mounted unit depends on the space to be cooled.
Ceiling-mounted air conditioners are mostly for bigger spaces.
They can distribute cooled air in multiple directions instead of just one, as with a wall-mounted unit.
3. Inverter or non-inverter
To choose between the two, you must know the differences. If you like your room cold and use the air conditioning a lot, an inverter unit is the ideal choice.
The temperature control is better and it can be set at the speed you want.
A non-inverter unit switches off after reaching the desired temperature and turns on again when it gets warm.
It can be irritating for light sleepers as it makes a sound every time it shuts off and turns back on.
The unit also has a fixed speed and power, which consumes more energy.
4. Energy star rating
An air conditioner with a good energy star rating will not only be good for the environment but also your wallet.
Check the Energy Efficiency Label which is rated on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being the best.
Units with a better energy star rating will consume less energy when in use, which can be a major saving on the electricity bill.
5. Noise control
An air conditioner that runs quietly is essential for an undisturbed sleep. Higher fan speeds might be the cause of the noise, so be sure to check how loud the unit runs when on the highest fan speed possible.
Better yet if the unit has a sleep mode, you are sure to have a good night’s sleep.