A window air conditioner, as the term suggests, is mounted on a window, whereas a split air conditioner can be mounted anywhere with no special requirements.

There is no difference in the efficiency of a window and a split air conditioner unit. The running cost is almost the same for both air conditioners. However, the power consumption in a split air conditioner is slightly higher when compared to a window air conditioner. In other words, the installation cost of a split air conditioner is low, but the ongoing cost is slightly higher.

For a window air conditioner, sometimes you need to use your existing window so that your window air conditioner fits there. However, since split air conditioners can be placed on the wall there is no need to have a window in the room.

The condensing unit of the split air conditioner is kept outside. Since the noisy part is kept out of the room, the noise levels remain low when compared to a window unit.

Your comfort level and energy consumption is decided by the air conditioning unit and central heating unit in your home and office. Hence, it becomes necessary and important to get the system serviced by a professional technician only.

The life of the air conditioning unit depends upon various factors like regional climate, area location, etc.

You should get your system repaired and serviced by the professional every one to two years. The technician should check your HVAC system properly. Inspection by him should include the heat exchanger, cooling coils, electrical connections primary and secondary drains, condenser coils and burners, heat anticipator settings, all safety controls and your system’s thermostat with all its components.

After checking these components, the technician should clean, repair and tighten the components if required. Professional maintenance includes the replacement and cleaning of the air filters. Your unit’s airflow should be adjusted in order to ensure that it works efficiently.

Here are some important facts about split air conditioning units that you should know before purchasing one.

A split air conditioner is probably the most popular air conditioning system among all the air conditioners. The installation of a split air conditioning system is costlier than installation of a window air conditioning system. But the former has several benefits, as testified by their popularity.

You need a professional technician to install a split air conditioning system. Tubing is an additional component required for a split air conditioner so that it can function properly. Tubing connects the indoor and outdoor units of the spilt air conditioning unit.

If you want to install a split air conditioner inside your room, you have to make a hole in the wall of your room. The size depends upon the unit dimensions. Generally, it is of around 3 inches in diameter. There are various sizes of split air conditioners available on the market. You should buy a split air conditioner according to the area of your room. For example, if you want to cool 35 sq ft area, you will require a 0.75-ton air conditioner.

One of the drawbacks of air conditioning is that it emits a large amount of carbon dioxide into the air.

When you purchase a new air conditioning unit you should always check for the Energy Star approval. An energy star label ensures that the product is 10 per cent more efficient than the required standards.

You should purchase an air conditioner that dehumidifies air during the summer season. By doing so, you can reduce the humidity during summer. When you look for a new air conditioner, you should first consider the size of the home or office area to work out the cooling capacity of the unit.

You should use your air conditioner in an environmentally friendly way. This saves energy, reduces electric bills and most importantly, cuts down carbon dioxide emissions, etc. There are many air conditioners that come with a recirculation option.

The filters of the air conditioners should be cleaned regularly. This ensures that your air conditioner unit runs more efficiently and effectively. By keeping energy consumption low and using efficient units, you can protect the environment.

By keeping a few basic things in mind, you can stay clear of excessive and improper usage of your air conditioner and also avoid hefty electricity bills. Here are some tips which can help you:

•    Thermostat should be kept in a proper place so that it gives accurate readings. Thermostat should not be kept near a device that produces heat because this will affect the readings of the thermostat.

•    Windows should be closed so it does not let heat into the room in summer and keeps cold outside during the winter time.

•    The outside part of the air conditioning system should never be directly facing towards the sun.

•    The installation of a thermostat timer saves money because the timer is set in such a way that it keeps on checking the temperature automatically.

•    Maintaining the humidity at proper level is important.

The role of air conditioner thermostats is to regulate the temperature. For instance, a home central conditioner thermostat controls the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) of a house or building.

When the temperature of the house or building gets higher or lower than the programmed temperature, the thermostat switches on the system. Likewise it switches the system off once it reaches the programmed temperature settings. In other words, the thermostat is largely responsible for modulating as well as regulating the programmed temperature of the house or building.

You would not be required to remember to turn the heat down with a programmable thermostat while you happen to be away or asleep. The device will make sure that the preferred temperature is maintained at all times.

There are two main types of air conditioner thermostats; electronic thermostats and electromechanical thermostats. Whatever be the type, once installed, the thermostats of the air conditioner system respond to the smallest changes in the building’s temperature.

Air conditioners have become an important part of our day-to-day living. In the summer season, many cannot live without them. You can see air conditioners in virtually every place, from your bedroom to school, colleges, offices and shopping centres.

Purchasing a new air conditioner is a long-term investment, so there are a few things, which you should keep in mind while purchasing an air conditioner. It should be energy efficient. In other words, it should save energy and should not be heavy on the pocket.

There are many types of air conditioners available in the market, such as:

•    Central air conditioner
•    Window air conditioner
•    Split air conditioner
•    Portable conditioner
•    High velocity air conditioner

The energy levels of a central air conditioner are measured in units, SEER. Higher the SEER the better the air conditioner unit is.  If you want to save 30% cooling cost, you should select an air conditioner, which has 12.0 SEER. Installing a thermostat in the air conditioner also reduces the energy consumption.

There are many companies, which provide air condition on rent for temporary purposes. Business organisations can get the air conditioning on rent for both short term and long term.

Companies can also get air conditioner on rent on a monthly basis. The main reason why companies prefer air conditioners on rental is because they only require it for a short time or for a temporary building. There are some businesses that are open only on a seasonal or cyclical basis. By hiring, they also avoid the maintenance costs of the air conditioning unit.

New shop and business establishments do not want to spend a large amount in one go, so they often prefer a rented air conditioner as it helps their cash flow.

Many air conditioner supply companies provide discounts on rental air conditioners in the summer time. Companies that provide air conditioners on rent generally provide all types of air conditioners like central, portable, spilt, window etc. The rent of the air conditioner depends upon the brand, capacity, etc.

The following steps will help you to use your air conditioner system in a cost-efficient way.

Air conditioning does not always have to be on. You can schedule the switching off your air conditioners alternatively during peak and non-peak hours. During the latter half of the day you only need one or two units to keep the building comfortably cool, whereas during the afternoon you might have to keep all of your units running. You can switch off your air conditioning unit around half an hour before you leave. This is because the cooling effect can easily last for that much amount of time.

Regular maintenance can increase the performance of your air-conditioning units to a great extent. While regular maintenance might appear to be a time and cost consuming, it actually benefits you in the long term by ensuring long life for your air conditioner. This is because air conditioning units that are not well maintained will break down at some point of time.

Below are some vital tips for you when you are thinking of buying a new central air conditioning unit either for your home or office:

1.    Get advice from a professional installer, trained to consider the various key factors that help determine the correct size of air conditioning unit so as to meet the exact needs of your home or office.

2.    An expert can consider certain factors like how well is it insulated, the shade effect of trees, the position and the number of windows, area of the house or office, etc. to work out your cooling requirements.

3.    Your budget needs to be taken into consideration as well before finalising the buying decision.

4.    Once you have worked out the size and capacity of the air conditioners needed, you can compare various models and brands on the basis of energy efficiency, guarantee or warranty terms, servicing and maintenance track record, pricing, concession offered, etc.