The most important features to consider when buying a new air conditioner

How the latest technology improves your comfort

When you’re weighing up what features you need in an air conditioner, there’s a lot to think about. Some features are just basic, some are must-haves, and some are brilliantly smart choices.

Shopping for an air conditioner today is a lot like getting a new phone. You may choose a classic one that only allows you to call and text your friends, or you can aim for functions like a high-resolution camera, fingerprint reader and so on. It’s the same with your air conditioner. That’s why you should know what special features can save you time and energy while improving your quality of life.

In this blog post we’ve compiled a guide with those features that are able to enhance your air conditioning experience.

1) Timers and human presence sensors

Human presence sensors detect whether someone is in the room, so that the unit knows to keep working. In some cases, this type of air cons even directs the air towards the sensed person. When the sensors don’t detect any movement, the unit automatically switches to an economy mode in order to avoid energy waste.

Keep in mind though that this sensor really is sensitive! That means your pet could possibly trigger it when walking around the house. In this case, you can use the timer function and enjoy the air con comfort while you’re in the room.

Human presence sensors can be called Eco Operation (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries), ECONAVI (Panasonic), Absence Detection (Mitsubishi Electric), or Intelligent Eye (Daikin) depending on the air con manufacturer.

2) Climate control straight from your smartphone

Smart is today’s new trend: smart TVs, smart cars, smart watches, and more. It’s no different with air cons: smart air conditioners can fulfil your climate control needs at home or at the office.

Newer models usually connect to your Wi-Fi network so that you can control the air con via a smartphone app. This is particularly useful if you’re at work, for instance, and want to find the perfect temperature when you get home.

3) Air filters with automatic self-cleaning function

With more and more Australians suffering from asthma and air-borne allergies, it’s essential to take extra care of your filters. Advanced air con filtration systems can successfully remove allergens, mould, bacteria, odours and dust from the air in your home.

What’s more, an air con self-cleaning function means you can say goodbye to indoor air pollution. It not only keeps the inside of the unit dry and clean but it also helps the unit running more efficiently. This way, you can rest assured everyone in the house is breathing fresh air.

4) Night set mode

We all know how important a good night sleep is. The last thing you want after a busy day is to wake up during the night because the room is too cold or too hot.

That’s what an air con ‘sleep mode’ was created for: to bring peace and comfort. This function gradually adjusts the temperature to an optimal level for sleeping so the air con runs smoother and quieter when you’re sleeping. No matter the season, the night set mode will make sure you all have a peaceful sleep.

5) Multiple operating modes

When you’re looking for an all year round climate control system, reverse cycle air conditioning is definitely the best option to consider. However, besides heating and cooling, there are also other functions it needs to come with such as:

Auto mode – automatically switches to the proper mode to keep the room at the desired temperature.

Dry mode – dehumidifies the air. This provides some cooling, but not as much as the cooling mode does.

Fan only mode – blows air without heating, cooling or drying, which proves to be useful when you just want a cooling breeze.

Economy mode – reduces power consumption usually by adjusting the thermostat a degree or two.

6) Humidity control

You may want that little extra from your air conditioner to reach that extraordinary level of comfort. That’s what makes dry mode such a must-have feature, especially if you live in humid states such as Queensland.

Today, some brands and models can both dehumidify and humidify indoor air. Technically, the outdoor unit effectively draws or withdraws moisture from the outdoors and transfers it to your living spaces. Plus, smart air cons can even automatically control temperature and airflow and then switch to cooling mode if the temperature rises beyond your desired level.

7) Power-saving functions

Furthermore, saving energy and money should definitely be on top of your priorities list when choosing an air con system. Fortunately, there are many ways to cut down your energy bills nowadays.

For instance, some devices may use sensors to detect any activity in the room and adjust the cooling/heating output accordingly. So, whether it’s Daikin’s advanced Econo Mode or other similar features, they will still keep you comfortable, while reducing power consumption. This is particularly effective when your household is using multiple appliances at the same time.

8) Demand Response Enabling Device (DRED)

Also known as PeakSmart, DRED feature is another good addition to any air conditioner you may choose. Technically, if your energy provider offers the PeakSmart service, they’ll be able to remotely switch your air conditioner to an economy mode during times of high demand on the grid.

While this doesn’t have a major impact on your air con’s cooling/heating capacity, it will reduce the amount of power used. That way, not only do you decongest power demand but you also save money and help reduce carbon footprint. Some Queensland energy companies like Energex and Ergon, also pay incentives to customers who buy DRED-enabled air cons.

 So no matter what your needs and preferences are, remember to include at least some of these features on your air con shopping list.

Talk to Jaric about air con features

To find out what other important features your new air con should have, call Jaric Air Conditioning today on 1300 452 742 or contact the team online.