What to Consider When Choosing an Air Conditioning Unit for Your Home

We got through another scorching summer—that public holiday weekend, with consistent temperatures near 40 degrees, we had customers across Melbourne calling in—they needed air conditioning!

Don’t leave it until you’re sweltering in your living room. Autumn in Melbourne is the perfect time to consider the effectiveness of your air conditioning system. Precision Refrigeration understands the importance of a comfortable living space, which is why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision about air conditioning for your home.

Before selecting an air conditioning system, it’s crucial to understand the unique characteristics of your home. Here are some factors to consider:

• Orientation: The direction your home faces can significantly impact its temperature. North-facing rooms tend to be warmer, requiring more cooling.
• Size: The size of the area you want to cool will determine the capacity of the air conditioner you need.
• Insulation: Well-insulated homes retain cool air better, reducing the workload on your air conditioner.
• Windows: Large or poorly insulated windows can let in heat, affecting the efficiency of your cooling system.
• Ceiling Height: Higher ceilings require more cooling capacity as there’s more space to cool.

For example, you live in a north-facing property with large, single-glazed windows that trap the late afternoon sun. Those rooms are going to get pretty warm, especially in the summer, and could likely benefit from a larger system.

A property with low ceilings, south-facing, double-glazed windows and efficient insulation may require a much smaller air conditioning unit.

Here’s how to keep your house cool while keeping your bills down. 

Perhaps you need a heat load assessment…

What is a Heat Load Assessment?

A heat load assessment takes into account various factors, such as the size of your home, the number of occupants, and the type of appliances used. This assessment helps determine the right size and type of air conditioning system for your home.

For assistance with a heat load assessment, ask our air conditioning experts. We are happy to help. 

Location and Structure

In addition to the factors above, like insulation and orientation, you’ll need to consider the local climate and the building materials of your home. 

Whole Home or a Single Room:

Do you need to cool your entire home or just a single room?

Whole-home systems provide consistent comfort throughout the house, while single-room solutions can be more cost-effective if you only need to cool a specific area.