Air conditioners: Which one to choose

Top 3 criteria for choosing an air conditioner

You should first consider these technical specs for all air conditioners: power, energy consumption, and noise. 

1/Power

Rule number one: A small unit that runs longer will be more efficient than an overly powerful one that stops and starts often. Longer operating cycles mean lower humidity levels in your home, a key factor for comfort and air quality. The right air conditioner will maintain a relative humidity of 30% to 50%. 

2/ Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency is the second factor to consider. EnerGuide labels provide information on each unit’s performance. The SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating measures efficiency. The higher the rating, the less energy the unit will consume. This data is very useful for choosing between two units with similar features. 

Products with the ENERGY STAR label are guaranteed to meet the most stringent energy-efficiency standards. Currently, products with the ENERGY STAR label must have a SEER of at least 14.

3/ Noise 

Make sure the type of unit and the amount of noise it produces comply with municipal bylaws and the regulations in your building. Here’s a useful guideline: A unit louder than 80db will disturb your (and your neighbours’) peace and quiet. The noise rating is always listed in the technical specifications.

Air conditioning for one room or the whole house?

The air conditioner you need will depend on the size of the space you want to cool. A standalone unit is usually enough to cool one or two rooms (100 to 550sq. ft. for 5,000 to 12,000Btu/h). Cooling an entire house requires a central unit, which is much more expensive. 

Standalone air conditioners: Window, wall-mounted, or portable? 

• For smaller areas, window air conditioners are an affordable and practical solution for renters. The downsides: They tend to be noisy, will obstruct part of the window, and need to be reinstalled each spring and stored during the winter.
• Wall-mounted air conditioners are usually more expensive, but quieter. They are installed in a metal sleeve on an exterior wall.
• Mobile or portable air conditioners with comparable power ratings are more expensive and less efficient. These units are equipped with casters. You’ll need to install an exhaust vent for the warm air they generate and drain the condensation collector regularly.

Central air conditioners for larger spaces

Some units for large spaces are designed for homes without ductwork (forced-air heating). 

• Split-system air conditioners include a compressor and condenser installed outside the house and one or more cool air distributors centrally located on walls near the ceiling. Cooling power can range from 9,000 to over 35,000Btu/h.
• Cassette ceiling-mounted air conditioners are installed in the attic and distribute cool air through flexible ducting to ceiling-mounted grilles. The location of these units makes them difficult to access and harder to maintain. Another downside: the risk of air leakage from the ceiling and condensation in the ducting.

  Other central units must be connected to ductwork. Their cooling capacity can be up to five tons, or 60,000Btu/h!  

• Central heat pumps are unique because they do double duty: the air conditioning system can be inverted to provide heat during the winter. These bulky units sit outside the house and tend to be costly and noisy. Be wary of promises of substantial savings.
• Central air conditioners are just as powerful and efficient, with a condenser located outside the house. The second component, an evaporator, is connected to the central heating system and cool air is distributed throughout the house through the ventilation ducts.

Renting cool air?

You can also rent vertical and horizontal window units and portable air conditioners for the summer months. Depending on the model, it can cost a minimum of $250 to rent a 10,000Btu/h horizontal window unit for five or six months.

Other ways to beat the heat

If you want to cool down for less, consider a fan as an alternative to an air conditioner. What factors should you consider before buying? Check out our tips on choosing the right fan.

Check your warranty!

The best products usually come with excellent warranties: 

• Window or wall-mounted: 5 years, parts and labour.
• Split-system: 5 years, parts and labour; 10 years on the compressor.
• Other central units: 10 years, parts and labour. 

A word of advice: Avoid cheap units with one-year warranties. If they break after two or three years, replacement parts are often no longer available on the market. 

Smart shopping tips

To put the odds in your favour:

• Shop in the off-season. 
• Verify the installer’s credentials with Régie du bâtiment du Québec (Quebec’s housing bureau).
• Visit the Office de la protection du consommateur (consumer protection bureau) website to see the number and type of complaints that may have been filed.
• Contact a CAA-Quebec Approved Supplier.

Need more home maintenance tips? For moving, maintenance, renovations, and more, contact CAA-Quebec Residential Advisory Services!