Air conditioning buying guide Was this guide useful? Designed to keep your rooms feeling fresh and comfortable, air conditioners are available in a wide range of sizes, styles and prices brackets, making it easy to find the unit that’s perfect for your needs at Homebase.What types of air conditioners are there?For the purpose of this guide, when we talk about air conditioners we’re referring to portable appliances that draw hot air in, cool it down and then circulate this colder air throughout a room. Though static units are available that can be built into walls and windows, most air conditioning units in the UK are portable, allowing you to move the appliance to wherever it’s needed in your building. How do air conditioners work?When the appliance is switched on, air is drawn into the unit and passed over a cold evaporator coil, where it’s cooled and some of the moisture removed. The air is then re-circulated into the room, reducing the overall temperature and humidity.

At the same time, a chemical refrigerant in the system absorbs the heat from the warm air before venting it to the exterior of your home via a hose. As the air cools, water is released into the air conditioning system. This either empties away through an external drain or is collected in a tank that you can remove and empty when full.why an air conditioner freezesHow cold can I make a room?air conditioning units arizonaAll Homebase air conditioning units have a minimum cooling setting of 16˚C or 18˚C and a maximum setting of 32˚C or 35˚C.Though an air conditioner’s effectiveness will depend on the size of the room it’s placed in and the conditions, in general, this should be enough to maintain your perfect temperature, keeping you cool and comfortable whatever the weather.gas powered portable ac unit

How can I ensure my air conditioner is working efficiently?Ensuring your air conditioner is working efficiently will not only help it to cool your home or office more quickly, it will also keep your energy bills down.When installing your unit, it’s sensible to make sure that the hose expelling the warm air goes directly to an exterior window. If the air escapes inside your home, then your unit won’t be able to cool the space as efficiently.Closing windows and doors will also help to cool your space more efficiently, while keeping blinds and curtains drawn will prevent your interior being heated by the sun.What features should I look for in an air conditioner?Adjustable thermostatAn adjustable thermostat allows you to have complete control over the temperature of your room while the unit is operating, which is really important for maintaining a constant, optimum room temperature inside your home or office.1-12 or 1-24 hour timerA timer will allow you to select a specific operating period.

Once this period has ended, the air conditioner will switch itself off, reducing wastage and saving you money.Washable pre-filtersWashable pre-filters remove dust, dirt and hair from the air being drawn into the filter, improving the air quality of your home, and preventing your air conditioner from becoming clogged up and working less efficiently. These filters can then easily be removed, cleaned and replaced.Mode settingsSome air conditioners have up to four different mode settings, allowing you to either cool, dehumidify, fan or heat the air as needed – making them suitable for use whatever the temperature.Energy efficiencyAs with many household appliances, air conditioners are given an energy rating to show their efficiency. A’ rated units are the most efficient and ‘G’ are the least, and the better the efficiency of your air conditioner, the less money it will cost to run.When browsing our great range of portable air conditioning units, you’ll notice that all appliances carry a British Thermal Unit (BTU) rating.

This rating gives an indication of how much cooling the machine is capable of, and the higher the BTU rating, the larger the volume of air the unit can cool.For a general guide on air conditioning costs, the first number of the BTU rating will refer to how much an appliance costs to run per hour in pence. For example, a 9,000 BTU air conditioner will cost 9p per hour to run, and a 12,000 BTU air conditioner will cost 12p per hour. Find your perfect product Let us help you complete your project Air Coolers, Fans and Air Conditioners Air conditioning and fans Air coolers, fans & air conditioners - Argos buying guides Warm weather and high humidity levels can make your home or office hot, stuffy and uncomfortable. Why not consider an air cooler, fan or air conditioning unit to help you stay cool in the day and sleep easier at night? This guide takes you through the different air cooling appliances in our range and explains the benefits and key features you should look for when considering your purchase.

Air coolers are portable units which can be easily moved around the house as required. They work by using water, stored in an internal water tank, to supply a filter that the hot air is drawn through and subsequently cooled before being returned to the room. They perform at their best when the air temperature is hot and the humidity level is low. The humidity level will influence the level the air cooler can cool the room. Typically they will lower the room temperature by 2 to 3 degrees What are the Benefits of air coolers? Air coolers do not require a hose vent so it is not necessary to place them near an external window. Many have castors, making them easy to manoeuvre. Key features to look for Speed Settings - The number of settings on the air cooler, the greater the settings the more control you will have. Tank size - The size of the water tank in litres, which has to be kept filled. The larger the tank the longer the air cooler can run.

Timer - Gives you control over the amount of time that the appliance is turned on. Remote control - Many air coolers are supplied with a remote control for ease of use. Air conditioning units are used to stabilise the air temperature in a room by extracting warm air from the room and recycling it back as cold air. All of our air conditioners expel heat through a hose which must be vented through a window or wall. Portable air conditioning units can be moved from room to room They can lower a room's temperature by several degrees. Energy label - The EU energy label rates products from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Room size - This indicates the maximum room size the air conditioner can be used efficiently in. Remote control - Some air conditioners are supplied with a useful remote control to adjust settings. Output - Air conditioners are often described in terms of their BTU (British thermal unit). It is claimed that the higher the BTU the more efficient the appliance is at cooling a room.