Are you confused by the aircon term and jargon? We are here to help you!
Before purchasing a new air conditioning unit in Singapore, it is necessary to first understand certain fundamental concepts. This will not only assist you in connecting the dots, but also in selecting the best air conditioner based on your requirements.
1. British Thermal Units (BTUs)
BTUs are one of the most commonly used aircon term used to measure the capacity of an air conditioner. It refers to how much heat your air conditioner can remove from a room per hour. Cooling capacity is proportional to BTU. As a result, larger rooms typically required air conditioners with high BTUs.
What happens if your air conditioner’s BTU is too low for your room?
If your BTU is too low, your air conditioner may take longer to cold your room. It will also struggle to maintain the optimal temperature. This results in excessive energy usage and, as a result, greater electricity costs.
What happens if your air conditioner’s BTU is too high for your space?
BTU does not always imply better performance. A good air conditioner will keep the space cold while also removing moisture and humidity. When your air conditioner is larger than your room or has a high BTU, it begins to cool your room more quickly, but moisture lingers in the air, causing the area to become humid as the moisture condenses. This gives off a cool but sticky and uneasy vibe. A larger BTU air conditioner consumes more energy than a smaller BTU air conditioner too.
2. Efficiency Rating (EER)
Second aircon term need to know is Efficiency Rating (ERR). The EER indicates the amount of BTU produced by an air conditioner utilising one watt of energy per hour. In Singapore, the legal minimum is ten. A larger EER indicates better long-term savings, but at the expense of a higher initial investment. If you use your air conditioner every night, a higher EER will be more advantageous than if you only use it twice or three times per week. Mind blown right?
3. Refrigerant
The next basic aircon term o introduced: refrigerant is an essential element of air conditioners. It is required for the heat removal process of the cooling mechanism as it transitions from gas to liquid and back to gas. R32 and R410A are the most often utilised refrigerants in Singapore. Whilst R410A is going to phase out in Q4 2022, R32 on the other hand, is now more widely used because it is more efficient and environmentally friendly compared to R410A.
4. Inverter
Inverter in an air conditioners, which include a speed compressor, have become the most popular in Singapore. The air conditioner’s running speed is reduced once the optimum temperature is reached. Inverter air conditioners can save you between 30 and 50 percent on energy when compared to non-inverter air conditioners.
Lesser energy consumed mean you can save money if you select the right aircon.
5. Indoor Unit or Fan Coil Unit (FCU)
Another important aircon term to know, Fan coil unit (FCU) is the air conditioning unit inside your house.
6. Outdoor Condensing Unit (CU)
A rectangular outdoor unit that is often confused with the compressor.
7. Single Split (System 1)
One air conditioner connected with only one outdoor unit. Most frequent ask question: “Is it better to buy a single split or multi-split system?
8. Multi-Splits (System 2, 3, or 4)
A multi-split air conditioner consists of an outdoor unit and multiple number of indoor units. For example, a System 3 air conditioning unit can have 1 outdoor unit and 3 indoor units (depending on the manufacturer design & BTU supported).
If you need more help, talk to us today. Whatsapp available too!
