Home tip: How to choose the right aircon for your home, and save money (2024)

(Design: Eightytwo)

1. Don’t just take the contractor’s word; compare prices from different distributors

Contractors often receive a commission from selling a particular brand. This is as true for some brands of furniture as it is for air-conditioning. This isn’t always bad: just because they get a commission, it doesn’t mean the contractor is just out for your money (their reputation is also at stake).

Nonetheless, it pays to look around. Don’t just take the contractor’s recommendation at face value — visit the different distributors, and see if there are cheaper options.

Also remember that not all contractors are equally fair — some may choose to recommend a brand for which they receive a higher commission.

2. Match the BTU rating to the room size

Air conditioners come with a British Thermal Unit (BTU) rating. The larger the size of the room, the higher the BTU of the air-conditioner should be.

Small rooms (150 square feet or below) will require a unit with around 6,000 BTUs. This is generally appropriate for a single bedroom. For larger rooms (up to 350 square feet), you will need a unit with around 9,000 BTUs. This is typical for most living rooms.

Very large rooms (500 square feet or above) will require something between 10,000 to 15,000 BTUs.

If you use an overpowered air-conditioner (e.g. 14,000 BTUs for a 150 square foot bedroom), it will cool the room much faster. However, the temperature will fall much faster than the humidity can be removed. This will cause the walls to feel damp, and it can damage wallpaper or warp wooden floors over time.

If you use an underpowered air-conditioner, you will run up higher bills by having to set the air-conditioner on full power, for a longer time. You will also wear out the unit faster.

If you intend to install air conditioning in a kitchen, increase the required BTU by 4,000. Note that it is not advisable to install air conditioning in a kitchen – this will trap smells, and the unit will require more constant servicing.

Of course, the higher the BTU the more expensive the unit tends to be. So match the BTU of the unit to the room size, in order to save cost.

3. Don’t bother using silenced units for large rooms

Some air-conditioners are more expensive because you don’t hear the signature “drone” when it’s switched on.

This is only a feature worth paying for if you are air-conditioning a small bedroom. For master bedrooms (200 square feet or more) or living rooms, the silent running is irrelevant. In large spaces, you will probably not notice the sound anyway.

4. Vary the Energy Efficiency Rating to meet your usage

The air-conditioner’s Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) measures how efficiently it uses electricity. The base number is 10 — this is a legal requirement.

For every point above 10, the power cost will be about 10 per cent lower over a month of use. This translates to lower electricity bills, but often a higher initial cost. Is it worth the trade-off?

That depends on how often you use the air-conditioner.

If you only turn on the air-conditioner two or three times a week, you are not likely to see much savings from a higher EER. You might be able to save on cost by getting a cheaper, less efficient unit.

If you use the air-conditioner every night however, you will probably save more with an efficient unit in the long run.

Alternatively, you may want a higher EER just out of a desire to be more eco-friendly.

5. It’s worth getting the extended warranty for bedroom units

If you will use the air conditioner every night, it’s a good idea to buy the extended warranty. This normally costs under S$200. A leaking air-conditioner can cost you almost that much to fix anyway, and a damaged compressor can run up costs of around S$600.

You may want to skip extended warranties on living room units if you use them less frequently (and can live without them if they spoil).

Note that the warranty is almost always from the seller, not the manufacturer. So if the seller closes shop, you may be left in the lurch. Get extended warranties only from proven companies.

6. It counts as retail spend, so use the right credit card

If you’re confident you can pay for the aircon in full, use a credit card to make the purchase,as you can earn a lot of points or cashback for it.

Just remember to pay it in full, or else you cannot claim rewards or cashback if your account is in bad standing. You’ll also end up accumulating interest on unpaid balances on your card.

This article was first published on SingSaver.com.sg, a financial comparison site that provides tips and advice on saving money in Singapore.

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