Installing split air conditioning in your home provides an efficient and affordable way to cool your indoor spaces. Split air conditioners require no ductwork; therefore, they are easy to install in both older and newer homes. However, there is more to these air conditioners than cost savings and easy setup. Modern systems come with advanced features that can increase convenience and indoor comfort and lower your energy bill. Below are four features to look for in a new split air conditioner.
Inverter technology
Conventional air conditioners have an outdoor unit whose compressor runs at a single speed. Therefore, when cooling single zones, the motor will still run at full speed. Consequently, your AC consumes the same amount of energy during times of low and high cooling demand. Inverter ACs have varying compressor motor speeds. Therefore, when the demand for conditioned air is low, the compressor motor operates at a lower speed to save energy. The ability to run at variable speeds also reduces wear and tear on the outdoor unit.
Multi-speed fan
The indoor unit of a split air conditioner has a fan that circulates cool air throughout the room. Conventional fans operate at one or two speeds only: low and high. Therefore, on a scorching afternoon, you cannot adjust the fan to cool the house quickly. Advanced split air conditioners come with multi-speed fans with multiple settings. They have a wide airflow range, varying from very-high to very-low. On extremely hot days, you can use the highest fan setting to cool the home faster. On relatively cool nights, the low setting allows you to lower cooling output and reduce operating noise.
Thermostat sensors
Modern split air conditioners use thermostat sensors to detect temperatures in the room. Once the home reaches the pre-set temperature, the thermostat signals the AC to turn off. Besides this feature, some thermostats also have advanced sensors that can sense a person's presence in a room. They turn the AC on when someone walks into the room. Some thermostats can even sense the number of people in a room and adjust the air accordingly. These features can generate tremendous comfort and increase convenience.
Multiple operating modes
Traditional air conditioners only have the "Auto" and "On" operating modes. Units with multiple operating modes can increase energy efficiency and improve indoor comfort. For example, some units have a "dehumidify" mode that removes excess moisture from the air. In this mode, the AC cools the home at a slower rate to allow for adequate dehumidification. Systems with the Economy (Eco) mode use thermostat sensors and inverter technology to reduce cooling output and save energy.
Are you in the market for a new split air conditioner? Consider the above features to improve the efficiency and performance of your new unit.
