Air Conditioners

Frequently asked questions about air conditioning units

• What is the best temperature setting for air conditioning?

  For a comfortable temprature you should look to set your air con unit between 21-22°C. Many go as low as 16°C, but we do not recommend to operate your unit for a prelonged period of time at this low temp. Once you have found your comfortable room temprature, the compressor will maintain it while the fan circulates cool air. Factors that slow this process include a room's initial temperature, daily temperature fluctuations, open doors or windows, people and the number of appliances inside the room that expel heat (like microwaves or computers).

• Are air conditioning units expensive to run?

  This depends on a unit's type, age and power (measured in BTUs). As a rule, modern air cons are more efficient than older models, and upgrading a 10-year-old system could reduce your running costs by up to 40%. The majority of our systems are rated A for efficiency. And the most energy-efficient way to use one is by maintaining a constant temperature.

• How much does air conditioning cost?

  This depends on your budget and requirements. You can buy a small portable aircon unit for £200. At the opposite end of the scale a commercial system could be as high as £4,000+. If you choose a built-in system, you'll also need to pay for air conditioner installation and servicing.

• What size aircon do I need?

  This depends on your room size. An aircon's power is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). This describes how much heat it takes to raise the temperature of one pound of water by 1°F. So, the higher the BTU, the larger the room an air conditioner can cool. We recommend a small room (18 sq/m) uses a 7,000 BTU air conditioner. Medium-sized rooms (24 sq/m) should use a 10,000 BTU air conditioner. And large rooms (36 sq/m) should look for a more powerful unit such as a 18,000 BTU air conditioner. Top tip: To cool conservatories you need a more powerful unit than a room of the same size with small windows.

• Do air conditioners need venting?

  All portable ACs must be vented through a window, wall or hose. If this can't be done, consider a split unit (wall or ceiling) or an evaporative air cooler. Split systems must be professionally installed, but evaporative coolers can be used in any room with good airflow.

• How loud are air conditioners?

  Most air conditioners emit between 25 and 70 decibels. Portable units are usually louder because their moving mechanism is inside the room. Whereas split models are quieter because their working part is stored outside the building. Top tip: A high fan speed makes a system louder, while Sleep Mode makes it softer. We've made it easier for you and compiled a list of all quiet air conditioners for you to browse through.

• Do air conditioners need maintaining/servicing?

  Yes, a regular maintenance routine will keep your device running smoothly. For portable units, this includes draining water from the tank and cleaning the dust filters. As for split units, they need an annual service.