Summer has arrived and with it, we have those hot days that many people find unbearable. If you are one of these people, it is very likely that you have already thought about having an air conditioner at home.
These devices work as follows:
- Aspirate warm air from the environment
- They make this air pass through an area, where there is a coil containing cold gas
- At that moment, there is a heat exchange and the air is cooled
- Then the air is blown into the room where the air conditioner is installed.
From there, the device makes adjustments to ensure that the ventilation intensity and temperature desired by the user are met.
Today, there are three main types of air conditioners on the market:
starting with splitare those devices that are more laborious to install.
They have two parts, one of which is the set responsible for cooling the air —popularly known as the “engine”— and the part that blows the air into the room to be cooled.
These models generally require a more planned installation, as it is necessary to place the “engine” outside the property, or at least in an isolated room with ventilation to the outside.
The models window they are more compact and, as the name says, can be installed directly on a window — there are specific frames for this.
Finally, there are portable. This is the most practical solution because it does not require a specialized professional to carry out the installation and also does not cause any alteration to the facade —they usually come with an adapter to be fitted to the window rail, from where the hose through which the device captures the air comes out. ambient air.
Here, it is important not to confuse it with air conditioners, which operate similarly to a fan.
Regardless of the model, it is important to pay attention to some technical data before making the purchase:
- BTUs: acronym for British Thermal Unit, which indicates the cooling capacity of the appliance. The bigger it is, the more it freezes the air.
- working voltage: as it is a high consumption device, prefer 220V models, which tend to require less from your home’s electrical network
- Energy consumption: it is worth looking at the Inmetro label and taking home more economical models, since the air conditioning, by itself, consumes a lot of energy
- Operating modes: some appliances are “hot and cold”. This means that they are able to heat the air, so they can be used in both summer and winter.
Why does it consume so much?
If you’ve decided to buy an air conditioner, keep in mind that this device tends to have a considerable impact on your electricity bill.
Of course, the size of this impact depends on the type of use of the device, but it usually has a consumption similar to that of an electric shower, with the difference that it stays on for much longer. Cases are common in which it causes a 50% increase in the account.
High energy consumption is a typical characteristic of appliances whose function is to promote temperature changes, whether by heating water, in the case of showers; air, in the case of clothes dryers; or cooling the air, in the case of refrigerators and air conditioners.
If this is unchangeable, at least there are ways to lessen the impact that air conditioning will have on your finances:
- Keep doors and windows closed, which decreases the heat exchange in the place and makes the air conditioning work less
- Do not turn the air conditioning on and off manually whenever the desired temperature is reached.
- Avoid programming it to generate very low temperatures, as this makes it work “more willingly”
- It is worth investing more in “inverter” appliances, which work intelligently and consume less
- Do not block the air outlet, as this forces the device to work and may even cause malfunctions.
- Keep maintenance up to date. Air conditioning in poor condition tends to consume more and tends to accumulate dirt
Below we list some interesting models. Consumption data are reported by manufacturers or taken from the Inmetro website. Check out:
Window air conditioner CCK07AB – Consul
Price: BRL 1,999
- 7.000 BTU
- Inverter System: yes
- Consumption of 13.4 kWh/month
A compact option, this model can be installed in a window or directly on the wall —requiring a hole to be fitted. It has a removable front panel, which allows you to easily clean the air filter, remote control and function that regulates the temperature automatically during the night.
Ecoturbo VI12F / VE12F split air conditioner – Electrolux
Price: BRL 2,499
- 12.000 BTU
- Inverter System: no
- Consumption of 22.8 kWh/month
A more traditional model, it is split type (has two separate parts), which requires specialized installation. The remote control has a temperature sensor, which directs the operation of the device. It has a self-cleaning function, which prevents odors and mold, and an eco function, which helps save electricity.
Eco Cube portable air conditioner – Elgin
Price: BRL 2,164
- 9.000 BTU
- Inverter System: not applicable
- uninformed consumption
Practical solution for those who want an air conditioner but cannot or do not want to install it on external walls, this portable model only needs a window. It comes with an adapter for fixing the ventilation hose, climates an area of up to 12 m² and has functions such as a timer and sleep mode.
Digital Inverter Ultra split air conditioner – Samsung
Price: BRL 2,349
- 12.000 BTU
- Inverter System: yes
- Consumption: 22.8 kWh/month
This model uses the digital inverter system which, according to the manufacturer, saves up to 73% of energy and promotes a 43% faster cooling. It has Eco mode for energy saving, silent mode and timer, among other functions. As it is of the split type, it requires installation by specialized labor.
Dual Inverter Voice split air conditioner – LG
Price: BRL 2,409.90
- 12.000 BTU
- Inverter System: yes
- Consumption: 484 kWh/year
This air conditioner is of the hot/cold type, that is, in addition to cooling, it is capable of heating rooms. It can be connected to assistants like Alexa, can be commanded by voice and also by app on the cellphone. It has a self-cleaning function, a washable filter and four night functions.
Mechanical window air conditioner ?QCI078BB – Springer Midea
Price: from BRL 1,499 to BRL 1,359 (9% discount)
- 7.000 BTU
- Inverter System: no
- Consumption: 14.6 kWh/month
This is a simpler model of window air conditioning, so much so that its operation is mechanical, that is, it does not have a remote control. It is a more cost-effective option and has temperature control and two modes of operation, only as a fan and as air conditioning. Offer for the 110V model. there is also 220V option.
