Even after hitting the 40-degree Celsius mark, I knew my community’s temperature wasn’t taking a break- and yeah, I was right. It surged higher and higher. Surely, the summer that year wasn’t joking at all.
But, then a lifesaver came right through my doors- my air conditioner!
If you are anything like me, your air conditioner would be your favorite appliance in the house. Not just because it occasionally oozes out cool air, but also because of the relief it brings to your skin, your body, and your mind.
However, here is the irony- not everyone gets the full benefits of an air conditioner, even if they’ve got one of the best brands.
This is not because the air conditioner has some faulty parts, neither is it due to some resistant force their bodies put out against one of the best gifts nature has to offer- air (just kidding!)
Really, such cases result when you do not have adequate knowledge on how to place your air conditioner. Yeah- the location of your air conditioner is a crucial factor when it comes to sucking up all the benefits any air conditioner could possibly offer.
Oh! Do you want to know more? Lucky you. This article presents you with tips on how to choose the best location for your air conditioner as well as some hacks for you to achieve maximum benefits from your AC.
Not only would this help you make your house cooler, but it could also save you some bucks. So, let’s get right into it.
Notwithstanding, what type of AC you use, there are clear-cut, detailed steps and factors you should put into consideration when installing your AC:
Some Basic Things You Should Know
How well your AC functions is also dependent on some basic principles such as proper installation. If some parts get damaged due to poor installation expertise on your part, it could go on to keep the AC’s purpose.
Read Also:
- Benefits of Hiring a Professional Air Conditioning Installation Company
- The Benefits of Installing an HVAC System in the Home
- 5 Reasons to Switch to Inverter Type Air Conditioners
- Is It Safe to Leave the Air Conditioner on All Day?
- Tips on Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning for Home
- Benefits of Split System Air Conditioners
Get In-Tune with the Manual
What did you expect? You really taught you could override this? No way! First off, digest what the manual says.
This guide is in no way an alternative for the manufacturer’s manual. Surely, there are salient points you can’t afford to miss hidden in the pages of the manual.
Be Safe
An air-conditioner is a heavy appliance. Attempting to live them alone might lead to serious injuries.
When installing, never connect the AC to a power strip, instead use grounded electrical units only. This is because they draw up lots of power. And yeah- do not plug-in during the whole installation process.
As much as possible, keep children away from the AC as sitting on it or playing around it could lead to some damage.
Moving on, here’s how to position your AC on the basis of the known AC types- Portable Air conditioners, Central Air conditioners, Window Air conditioners.
Portable Air conditioners
A Hard Floor is the Most Suitable
When placing a portable Air conditioner, you should always do so on a hard floor. Hard-floors include a variety of surfaces which are basically, hard.
Concrete, marble, clay, ceramic tuple, brick flooring as well as terrazzo are members of the hard floor family.
Placing these ACs on soft floors such as rubber and vinyl could result in lesser functioning of your AC.
Be Space-considerate
Here is what I mean: wherever you decide to install your unit, you should leave enough clearance between the unit and obstructions such as chairs, furniture, flowers, and walls.
Falling to do results in a reduction in the amount of air your unit is able to draw from the outside. This means it would be generally harder for the AC to cool your room to your desired temperature.
Scrutinize the Spot
This is where you’ve got to put on your strategic mind. As much as possible, prevent installation in sunny areas.
If you are placing your AC in a spot that gets quite a dose of the afternoon sun, you would in-turn be preparing your AC for a potential break down.
It would need to work much harder than it would normally, to keep your room cool. The same goes for humid spots.
Although the end result- a malfunctioning AC- is the same as that of sunny spots, the logic is quite different.
Here, the more the relative humidity, the more condensation the unit would create.
This unprecedented condensation would make the unit require cleaning and draining frequently; and if this is maneuvered, the more likely your AC finds it harder to hit your desired temperature.
Either way, the summary is this: avoid spots that are sunny or have higher relative humidity.
Proper Ventilation is Required
When it comes to air conditioners, the importance of proper ventilation cannot be overstated. But, when it comes to portable air conditioners – they are especially important.
Proper ventilation directs the hot air produced by the AC’s compressor out of the room, keeping the AC from overheating.
And you know what that means? An easier approach to cooling the temperature of your room, without overusing your unit.
These AC’s come with kits designed to fit a ‘standard-size windows’. However, you can opt for a plethora of other kit options such as kits for sliding doors and drop ceilings.
Keep it Straight
I mean the exhaust pipe – keep it straight! You will want to reduce the number of kinks and twists your pipe has, as this could reduce airflow and consequently, ventilation. This might require you choosing a shorter pipe.
Even at that, your portable AC has to be top-notch. Head on to https://coolandportable.com/best-portable-air-conditioners/.
Other factors you should consider include a closer electrical socket, and a near-by window or simply installing it outside in areas with less sunshine and humidity levels.
But then, lucky you! When it comes to portable ACs, there are caster wheels that permit movement.
So yeah, the installation process is flexible. So, did you make any mistakes? No qualms- you can easily change its position.
How Do You Choose a Spot for Your Split AC?
This should be quite straight forward. There are two main parts of a Split AC- the outdoor unit and the indoor unit.
Choosing a Spot for the Indoor Unit
This is basically responsible for extracting heat and distributing condensed air throughout the room. Two common installation choices are a utility closet inside the house or a well-sealed equipment room in the garage.
Some homeowners have the AHU placed in the attic, but it is not an ideal choice for several reasons. An attic is prone to extreme heat buildup, and there is a risk of ceiling damage from condensate overflows or condensation.
Choosing a Spot for Your Outdoor Unit
The outdoor unit consists of the pump and condenser coil. Often times, it is usually placed on the roof or a concrete slab next to your home.
No matter where you choose to install it, choosing a spot where there is ample space is necessary.
On either side of the conditioner, there should be at least three feet gap and a five feet gap above the unit. This allows for proper airflow, which promotes better functioning of the unit and a cooler house for you.
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