Picking the right AC system, just like deciding on what model of car to buy, comes down to the kind of lifestyle you live and what you can afford. Before you call aircon installers to your Singapore home and make a substantial financial investment, it’s important to consider which type of system is best suited to your home and usage requirements.
There are many considerations one needs to take into account before deciding on which system to buy for your home. Here are a few simple considerations to think about.
How Many Rooms?
There’s no real point setting up a multi-split unit in your home if you’re cooling only 1 room. A multi-split system usually involves a larger or higher capacity compressor unit and these therefore consume more electricity. Of course this also depends on another closely related consideration, the number of running amperes you’re allowed for your home.
If the running amperes of your home allow you to run 2 or more compressors, then it would be better to set up a single-split unit for that 1 room you use more often and a 2nd or even a 3rd multi-split system for the cooling of the other rooms that may not be used so often.
Consult a professional aircon installer and he’ll be able to advise you on the most efficient and practical solution for your home.
BTU
BTU or British Thermal Unit is the a traditional unit of work equal to about 1055 joules. It is most often used as a measure of power in air conditioners. The higher the BTU/h rating, the higher the cooling capacity of an aircon unit. Multi-split aircon systems typically produce 9,000 to 36,000 BTU (9,500–38,000 kJ) per hour of cooling.
The BTU rating you choose will also depend on several factors. Typically, these would be, the size of the room, the typical number of people within the room and the location of the room (does it have a wall that is exposed to the evening sun). A professional installer will be the best person to advise on the required BTU/h rating for your specific needs.
Energy Efficiency
Not all aircons are created equal. Different aircons having the same BTU/h rating can have very different power or electricity consumptions. In Singapore, all aircons on the market have an energy efficient sticker affixed on them. The details of the energy labels and power consumption can be found on the NEA Website.
http://www.nea.gov.sg/energy-waste/energy-efficiency/household-sector/the-energy-label
So not all 9000 BTU/h aircons consume the same amount of electricity. While BTU/h has a relationship with power consumption, BTU/h is not directly proportional to kWh or kilowatts per hour. There are many differences, which include inverter or non-inverter and the different brands available.
