If you have a small house or apartment that needs to be cooled down, one great alternative to running a central air conditioner is buying and installing one of the many quality wall air conditioning units on the market. They can be just as effective in providing a cool living space and come in various sizes to suit your needs. If you have a small home that needs cooling, you should opt for a larger unit. The cost will be less, especially if you choose an Energy Star rated model that will use less energy, resulting in a cheaper electric bill.
Now is the best time to purchase wall air conditioning units since there is no demand for them during the winter months. Stores are looking to clear out their inventory so they don’t have to keep them on the shelves until the spring and hot summer months arrive. Make sure you consult with a sales representative that is knowledgeable on air conditioners so that you buy the right one. If you get one that is too powerful you will just pay more than you need to. If you purchase one that is too small for your cooling needs, it won’t be able to cool-off your room without it running constantly.
Types of Wall Air Conditioning Units
Before you go shopping it is best to have some kind of idea as to what air conditioner you’re looking for, otherwise a salesperson could leave you with something you don’t need and can’t afford. There are two basic types of wall air conditioning units. Unitary systems see the most widespread usage – they are the air conditioners that are mounted in the wall openings and are operated by internal control panels. The basic operation consists of cold air being blown over coils and into the room, and warm air being discharged outside.
The other type of unit is called a PTAC system. These air conditioning systems are also known as ductless air conditioners. You usually see these types of units in big complexes such as hotels, where individual rooms are able to control their own cooling demands. PTAC systems can also be converted to an individual heater in the winter, usually by reversing the flows of air. The main drawback is cost – this collection of units combined costs more than if an operator decided to install central air conditioning – however they would lose the ability for guests to manage the heating and cooling controls.
Installing a Wall Air Conditioning Unit
Most homes will have an existing slot to fit wall air conditioning units. Once you load your system in you should make sure it is snug and secure so no air will pass through cracks and it won’t fall out. Once you’ve taken care of installing it properly, just hook it up to a nearby outlet.
It is a good idea to test it out to determine what is the minimal setting to get the amount of cooling you desire. If you can run it on low and still feel comfortable, there’s no need to waste energy on the higher levels.
Wall Air Conditioning Units Parts
Wall air conditioners are made up of several external and internal parts. Most of you are probably already familiar with the external parts that you see every time you operate your air conditioner. There are usually a combination of adjustable levers so you can set it at the level of maximum comfort. These are usually in one location known as the control panel. The front grill covers the majority of the air conditioner’s exterior surface. These can come in various colors to suit your wall furnishings. Finally, there is the thermostat sensor that gives you a reading of the temperature setting as well as the temperature of the room.
The internal parts of wall air conditioning units are far more complex, and should only be handled by experienced air conditioner mechanics. The first, and most obvious, is the fan which brings air from the outside into the wall air conditioning unit. The air passes through a filter to ensure that no debris is carried into your house from the outside. There is a partition which separates the air being brought in and the air that is being cooled by the blower, which blows air over the cold coils to cool the air as it is being sent out into the room. These coils consist of a condenser coil, evaporator coil, and finally a compressor.