–Frequently Asked Questions About Air Conditioners

Air conditioners have lately become a necessity for everyone, especially for people like us who live on the hotter side of the planet. Global warming and other man-made devastations to the ecosystem have led to the condition we are going through in the present times. Hence, it becomes quite important for us to find a way of tackling this hot temperature. Air Conditioners are playing a great role in places where other cooling devices fail.     

We often see people looking for suggestions and recommendations about air conditioners i.e they keep on asking different questions related to different aspects of air conditioners. 

In this blog, we have assembled a few frequently asked questions about air conditioners and have also tried to briefly answer them so that it becomes easier for you to buy, maintain and use air conditioners to the best of their efficiency.

1. Which air conditioner should I buy?

Starting with the basic question - which air conditioner to buy? This is normally the first question asked by someone who is going to purchase an air conditioner for the first time. Well, this depends entirely on one's requirement i.e the utility of the air conditioner whether you are using it at home or at the office, what's the size of the room, how is the weather condition of the place, etc.

Usually, for a room that is around 100 to 120 square feet, a good 1-ton AC is sufficient,  for a room around 175 square feet, you can go for a 1.5-ton AC. Also, make sure that you buy the AC after going through its energy ratings so that you don't have to pay a lot of electricity bills every month. Visit your nearest Hitachi store to find the perfect air conditioner for your home. Our executives will help you pick the best one as per your requirements.

2. How often should I get my air conditioner serviced?

The answer to this question depends entirely on your geographical area i.e whether you use the air conditioner partially or round the year. There are several countries where you must use the air conditioner round the calendar while there are many of them where you use them for a maximum of 5-6 months. Hence you must get your ACs serviced depending on the usage. If you are using it throughout the year, it should be serviced a minimum of once a year, with periodic inspections up to 4 times a year. And if you are using it for a few months only. then it should just need a service and a couple of inspections if the need arises. Make sure to chip in the certified technicians only so that they do the service professionally. We at Hitachi have professionally trained technicians who take the best care of your air conditioning units. Schedule a visit today!

3. Why is my air conditioner leaking condensation? Is it a cause of concern?

To answer this, you must be aware of the fact that one function of an air conditioning unit is to extract humidity from the air. Hence, a little bit of condensation ought to happen. But it should be a little bit only and not a lot. If there are heavy leaks, they indicate that there’s a problem with the condensate draining which needs immediate technical assistance. Some of the common causes of the issue can be a clogged condensate line, a rusty condensate pan, a dirty or frozen evaporator coil, a low refrigerant level or a dirty air filter. 

4. How can I change the air filters of my air conditioner?

This is something that's asked more frequently and it should be asked more. The more you are concerned about your air conditioner, the more it will run. One must know the procedure of changing the filter all by himself/herself so that he isn't dependent on the technician. Well, it isn't a very tough process. You just need to know a couple of things and you are good to go. Below mentioned is what and how you need to do it :

1. Choosing the right size:  Remove your old filter and measure it so that the new one you buy matches it perfectly.
2. Choosing the perfect MERV:  MERV stands for “minimum efficiency reporting value” and it ranges from 1-20. The higher the MERV, the more effective the air filter.
3. Choosing the type of filter. There are a number of air filter types you can choose from, You can get fiberglass, washable, pleated or electronic.
4. Installing it: Most air filters are extremely easy to install however different air conditioner units have different ways of doing it. Check the user manual to know the exact process of doing it.

5. How can I make sure that my air conditioning units last for long?

Everyone wants their air conditioners to last long so that they stay comfortable as long as they can. Hence one of the most frequently asked questions is about keeping it functioning for as long as possible. One golden rule about it is to keep the filters clean and get it serviced on time. However, there are few other things that should be taken into consideration for a better and more durable experience. Below given are some of them -

Make sure that the outdoor unit of your air conditioner isn't surrounded with leaves and debris. This can prevent the dirt from clogging inside helping your air conditioner work longer.
Make sure that the air grills and ductwork aren't blocked while arranging furniture layouts.
To keep the heat out, use blinds and shades on the west and south-facing windows.
Hitachi air conditioners come with premium hardware backed with the latest technology. This helps our air conditioning units last very long. 

6. When should I replace my air conditioner?

Using an air conditioner is good only till the unit is in a good condition if not the best. Using an air conditioner with bad condition can harm you in a number of ways. It won’t cool your space to the best of its efficiency and will make you pay a lot of bills. Hence it becomes extremely important for you to know when to replace your air conditioner. Below are some things you should consider :

You should make sure that your air conditioner isn’t aged more than its usual lifespan. The age of a regular air conditioner is somewhere between ten to twenty years, if your air conditioner has reached this stage, it is time to replace it.
If your air conditioner has started adding to your bills, it means that it has lost its energy-saving efficiency which means it needs to be changed. You can simply compare your old electricity bills with the latest ones and if you find them increased, go ahead and replace your AC.
If the refrigerant is leaking, you shouldn’t wait for it to get fixed all by itself. Call your technician and check if this is a normal, regular leak or something major. Frequent leaks will damage your compressor hence it is better to get your AC replaced.

7. What is the difference between a split and floor-standing air conditioner?

 Though both the air conditioners have the same utility i.e providing cool air but there are a few differences between the two. One big difference is the noise factor which is way lesser in a split AC due to the fact that the outdoor unit (which causes noise) isn’t present in the room itself. This is something that makes a huge difference when it comes to having a quieter and more comfortable air conditioning experience. Floor standing air conditioners are comparatively louder. Also, split ACs cover a bigger space than a floor-standing AC. Floor standing ACs require dedicated space in the room while the split ACs are hung on the walls without disturbing the indoor settings.

8. What do the air conditioner ratings mean?

If you have recently purchased an air conditioner or have been surveying the market about the best one, you must have come across many ratings and we are sure that some of them must have confused you. Well, do not confuse yourself more as we’ll be discussing them briefly for your better understanding. 

• EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio): This is a very commonly heard term. It is the measurement of the cooling output of an air conditioner divided by its energy usage. It is calculated under specific test conditions that represent peak load. A higher number means a more energy-efficient system.
• SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio): This is another rating that measures the efficiency of cooling equipment. This is a little different from the above rating as it is calculated based on a seasonal average instead of at specific laboratory conditions. A higher SEER rating means the unit is more energy efficient.
• HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor): This rating measures the efficiency of the system’s heat pump. Higher the HSPF rating, higher the efficiency of the air conditioner.

9. Is it good to have a centralized air conditioner at home?

Centralized air conditioners are definitely a better pick when it comes to efficiency but it depends majorly on the utility and the budget. This project usually requires a lot of money as compared to installing a normal air conditioner. If budget isn’t a concern, then you should definitely go for it. Also, make sure that you are going to stay at the place where you install it. These aren’t easy to relocate hence one must think well before making such a big investment. 

10. How can I cut my energy bills? 

This is a common concern of a majority of people who are using air conditioners and why shouldn’t it be after all we all want to get the maximum out of everything. There are certainly many ways of cutting on your energy bills. Discussing few of the tips below :

Upgrade to a newer air conditioner if you are still using an old one. The new technologies that are being used by the air conditioning companies are quite energy efficient and user-friendly in the longer run.
Using energy star-labeled devices help you determine the energy consumption beforehand. You can choose the one that fits your budget. Higher the ranks, less it will cost you every month.
Get your air conditioning units serviced regularly. Dirty units are forced to work harder to give the same results. Make sure that you don’t skip the servicing. 
You can always use other cooling devices along with your air conditioner to cut on the energy costs. Using a cooler or a fan along with the air conditioner can help you get a better cooling at lower cost.