Global warming means that the demand for air conditioning is also rising sharply in Austria. While long-lasting heatwaves used to be the exception and reserved for Southern European countries, they are increasingly becoming the rule in Central Europe in summer as well. Air conditioning promises relief, allowing you to make yourself comfortable in your home even in sweltering summer heat and ensuring your performance is not impaired. But which air conditioner offers the best price-performance ratio, and which device best suits my needs? These are questions that consumers ask themselves.
What types of air conditioning systems are there?
Air conditioning systems are divided into monoblock air conditioners, split units, and mobile air conditioners. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages and appeals to different target groups. Customers should also note that air conditioning systems must be serviced regularly. For this task, there are service providers such as the air conditioning service in Cologne.
Monoblock units and mobile air conditioners
In monoblock units, the compressor and the cooling fins are built into one system. Installation is not required, and the device does not require a permit. A primary disadvantage of the monoblock system is the warm exhaust air from the compressor, which must be vented outside. To avoid having to keep the window open constantly, most owners rely on professional window sealing. The second disadvantage is the creation of a constant negative pressure, which forces the air conditioner to work harder.
Monoblock units are therefore less energy-efficient and also louder. Their advantage lies in their practical design, and for many tenants, it is the only way to benefit from the effects of an air conditioner. Very compact and lightweight devices are sold as mobile air conditioners and can be taken along when traveling.
Split air conditioning systems
As the name suggests, split air conditioning systems consist of several components. Here, the compressor and cooling fins are separated from each other, and use requires professional installation with a wall opening to connect both components via hoses. In the case of multi-split systems, more than one room can be served, and there is an indoor unit with cooling fins for each room. Split air conditioning systems are more powerful and energy-efficient than monoblock units. However, they are significantly more expensive, require permits in apartment buildings, and neighbors might feel disturbed by the compressor installed outside.
Possible functional scope of air conditioning systems
As standard, air conditioning systems are expected to cool and humidify indoor spaces. However, some air conditioners can do even more. For example, some air conditioners have a built-in air purifier, for which the CADR should be used as a performance metric. Other devices offer a partially multi-stage fan for ventilation of the interior. This performance further lowers the perceived room temperature and can be felt as pleasant, especially in summer.
Heat loads and room capacity
A practical feature of air conditioning systems is that they specify the room capacity directly in cubic meters, so customers can easily compare this value with their room size. It should be taken into account that people, technical devices, and electric lighting represent an additional heat load for each room. This is especially true in direct sunlight, so it is better for customers to plan a buffer when purchasing, i.e., for a 20-cubic-meter room, opt for an air conditioner with a room capacity of 25 or 30 m³.
Finally, attic apartments can also heat up unpleasantly. In France, it was therefore long customary for servants in large apartment blocks to be housed in the "mansards." Alternatively, the performance of the air conditioner is displayed in BTU, with the performance of air conditioners ranging roughly between 7,000 and 12,000 British Thermal Units. 1,000 BTU corresponds to 293 watts.
Modern air conditioning systems and advanced features
Split units, in particular, are modern air conditioning systems that can increasingly be operated via app or voice control. Other products can be integrated into the smart home and use sensors and actuators to adjust their cooling performance precisely to demand. Another modern feature is a timer with the option to create a weekly schedule. In this way, the air conditioner can work more energy-efficiently by taking a break when the owners are at work and only starting shortly before they return to improve the room climate for a pleasant welcome.
