air conditioner buying guide
a handy guide to efficiently cooling & heating your home
How does an air conditioning unit work?
Air conditioners cool the room by removing heat and moisture from the air, just like how a fridge cools food. But how does it work?
- Warm indoor air is drawn in and passed over a cold evaporator coil.
- The air is cooled, removing some of the moisture too.
- A refrigerant fluid absorbs the heat from the warm air which is expelled through a wall or window through the exhaust hose.
- Water condenses in the system and is either drained away or collected in a tank. Most ACs use excess water for cooling, meaning less emptying.
- Finally, cold air is recirculated into the room, reducing temperature and humidity.
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Portable vs Wall Mounted
Key Features
& Efficiency Calculator
Installation
Which type of air conditioner is right for me?
Portable
Best For:
- Heatwaves/Occasional Use
- Room hopping (Cooling where you need it)
- Budget-Conscious
- Renters & Students
If you're looking for a serious upgrade from an every-day fan then choose one of our portable air conditioners for on-demand cooling (And heating!) that's super effective, highly efficient and better bang-for-your-buck. Switch to fan-only mode for personal cooling without the AC function.
Perfect for heatwaves but equally useful in Autumn for their dehumidifier function, portable air conditioners are easy to move between rooms.
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Wall-Mounted
Best For:
- Permanent, Quiet Comfort
- Eco-conscious Homeowners
- Whole-home Heating
- Commercial Properties
Wall-mounted air conditioners are an excellent space-saving solution as they don't take up any floor space, but you'll need to have them professionally installed. They consist of a unit on the wall inside plus an external unit to remove heat and condensation from the room. Look for a multi-split system for cooling (and heating) multiple rooms.
They’re quieter and more efficient than portable units, and they're a great permanent heating solution for any UK home.
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Ceiling Cassette
Best For:
- Large Open Spaces
- Business & Retail
- Invisible Comfort
- Uniform Cooling
Ceiling cassette air conditioners are another type of split unit; they feature an external unit to remove the heat and need installing professionally, but the internal unit fits neatly into the ceiling.
As well as cooling, they can heat rooms more efficiently than central heating.
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All-in-One (Through the wall)
Best For:
- Limited outdoor space
- Flats & Conservatories
- No External Box
- Permanent DIY Cooling
These units are perfect if you need to cool or heat a room efficiently but don't have room outside your home for a bulky compressor.
They're a single unit which is vented straight through the wall, so they're perfect for flats and conservatories.
shop nowHow to buy the right size
The size of the air conditioner you need depends on the size of the room you want to cool. Larger rooms require a unit with a higher BTU, but these use more energy than ones with a lower BTU.
What is BTU?
A BTU (British Thermal Unit) is a rating used to determine the cooling capacity of an Air Conditioner. Typically a minimum of 7000 BTU is needed to cool a small room.
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BTU & Efficiency Calculator
Tailored BTU requirements & estimated running costs.
Ready to find your perfect Air Conditioner?
shop all air conditionersWhat features should I look for?
Heating mode
Many air conditioners also have a heating mode, perfect for year-round use. It acts alongside your central heating to keep you warm during those colder months and it's super efficient.
Sleep mode
There’s nothing worse than not being able to sleep because it’s too hot. An air conditioner with sleep mode reduces noise levels so that you can enjoy an uninterrupted cool night’s sleep. Many units including the portable electriQ Eco Series also dim the lights on the control panel.
Low Energy
Air conditioners can use a lot of energy, but some air conditioners are extra energy efficient, helping you to save money on your energy bills. Look for units rated A+ for outstanding energy savings.
Timer
A timer function is handy to ensure electricity isn’t being wasted. You can set the air conditioner to turn on and off when needed, which helps you save money on energy bills.
Smart features
A smart air conditioner connects to an app, allowing you to control it from your smartphone. It’s perfect for those hot days when you’ve been at work, and you can ensure you’re returning home to a nice cool room.
Oscillating vents (Louvres)
Oscillating vents switch between facing up and down or left and right, which spreads the air around to help cool the room evenly.
Dehumidifier
Most air conditioners also have a dedicated dehumidifier function, meaning that as well as cooling the room, they’ll remove some of the moisture in the air, which is handy for drying laundry inside and combatting damp and mould.
Purifier
A purifier function clears the air of bacteria, allergens, mould and dust, helping asthma or allergy sufferers breathe easier.
Remote control
Most air conditioning units come with a remote control, which is handy for changing the settings from a distance.
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shop all air conditionersHow to install an air conditioning unit
Portable
- Slide open the window, adjust the slide bar to fit into the gap, and attach it.
- Attach the exhaust pipe to the unit and the window slide bar.
- Plug the unit in, switch it on, and adjust the temperature.
Split units
Wall-mounted and ceiling cassette air conditioners are a bit more complex and require installation by a licensed professional. We have over 20 years of experience; give us a call on 0330 041 2742 for a quote.
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