Are you sure that you know all the features of your air conditioner? You will undoubtedly want the best air conditioner on the market for your budget and requirements. This is why it’s important to be aware of all the unit’s functions and features to get the most out of it. Just as I would, would you also like to know about your appliance in a clear and simple manner?
Common air conditioner features:
Air Conditioner Energy consumption ratings
The European Union established an energy consumption labeling scheme where the energy efficiency ranges from A to G, with A being the highest and G being the lowest. Looking at grade A specifically, it is further divided into three categories: A+, A++, and A+++. Each + sign is equivalent to an additional 10% of energy efficiency. Therefore, a rating of A+++ indicates 30% more efficiency than a rating of A.
Inverter technology of an air conditioner
An inverter is a type of energy-saving technology that reduces energy waste in air conditioners by efficiently controlling the compressor speed. Thus, instead of spending energy through starting and stopping, the inverter adjusts the speed of the compressor so that it runs continuously and more efficiently!
Refrigerant R-32
A refrigerant is a kind of gas that is used in AC systems and enables heat transfer between the indoor and the outdoor air. It is the latest and only refrigerant that efficiently carries heat and has a lower environmental impact. It also helps reduce electricity consumption by 10% compared to previous refrigerants.
Air conditioner self-diagnosis
An air-conditioner with this function simplifies maintenance by indicating system faults or operating anomalies. In the event of an air conditioner malfunction, an internal microcomputer automatically runs the Self Diagnosis function and displays an indication on the unit. You can then identify the problem by referring to the troubleshooting section of your user manual and, in many cases, quickly resolve the issue without the need to contact the manufacturers’ support services.
Econ Mode & Night Set Mode
Switching on econ mode decreases power consumption and assists energy saving while maintaining your daytime heat or cool settings. This is a great feature if your ambient conditions do not fluctuate too much throughout the day. Night mode can also decrease power consumption. Since the recommended bedroom temperature for sleeping is approximately 18.3° Celsius, you can set the night-time temperature of your room to differ from your daytime settings using this feature. Hence, you get a great night’s sleep with a simple press of a button!
Auto Changeover
It is a common standard feature that is especially useful for Autumn and Spring. The air conditioner will automatically select heating or cooling mode to achieve your pre-programmed set temperature. For instance, a good ambient room temperature is generally said to be around 23° Celsius. Trying to manually maintain this optimal temperature can consume high amounts of energy and increase your energy bill. So, allowing my AC to automatically choose the desired temperature according to the weather is a brilliant way for me to save energy and money!
Connectivity for your air conditioner
As all home devices are becoming smarter, it is no surprise to expect the same from your AC! Recent AC models allow you to control your AC via a mobile phone application. Moreover, some versions of smart air conditioners incorporate voice control and are easily connected to home assistants such as Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
Motion Detection
There are motion sensors added in the unit that detect the presence of people in a work area so as to direct the airflow away from them. Hence, optimal user comfort is ensured automatically. Furthermore, these powerful sensors can detect an empty room and switch to energy-saving mode. In this way, I can reduce unnecessary waste of energy when I forget to switch my AC off before leaving home!
Air filters
An air conditioner contains an air filter that removes airborne dust particles. More advanced filters have the capacity to keep the air free of allergens and other pollutants. This is of great necessity for me as I am allergic to dust!
To sum up, your air conditioner has a lot of interesting features that can be used for your comfort and to save energy and money equally. However, the type of AC you buy will depend on your budget and personal requirements. I believe that an air conditioner is an important appliance to consider for our health too! I am curious to see what new innovations in AC technology are around the corner.