How to: Buy an air conditioner

Power
Always an important consideration: Too much power and your air conditioner may not run for long enough to dehumidify the air; not enough power and you'll never reach the optimal comfort zone. As a general guideline, a 5,000 BTU air conditioner is designed to cool a room measuring 14 square metres.

Noise
Not so long ago, central air conditioners emitted some 80 decibels (dB); today's models come in at 60 dB and 75 dB. And although the compressor – the source of the noise – is outside the home, experts advise owners to mitigate the noise by creating a “barrier” of conifers. Other systems – mini- or multisplit units or room air conditioners – emit 35 dB to 45 dB. If you use a room air conditioner, more specifically a window unit, and the window frame is unstable, it's likely to make more noise.

Air quality
Since the refrigerant R-410A (Puron) was introduced in Quebec in early 2006, more and more manufacturers are using it instead of CFC, a refrigerant fluid whose harmful effects on the environment are well documented. In fact, as of 2010, Canadian manufacturers will be obliged to comply with a total ban on CFC use. Already, some air-conditioning units circulate negative ions meant to purify the ambient air, while others have carbon filters to eliminate odours. As we now know, refrigerant fluids are not totally harmless to the environment.

Room air conditioners continue to use CFCs – hence the importance of never dumping an old air conditioner in a landfill. Rather, find out where the nearest municipal waste-recovery site is located, or consult the Yellow PagesTM under “recycling.”

Design
Air conditioners have become more attractive in recent years. With a rounder shape and cleaner lines, today's models do a better job of blending with furnishings. And while white is still popular, we're now seeing blues, metallic greys and even natural wood! A manufacturer of mini- and multi-split models recently went so far as to create an air diffuser behind the front panel – and for a touch of elegance, these models also allow users to frame the front panel with a photograph or a painting! Manufacturers have also worked hard on the appearance of outdoor modules in a bid to harmonize them with landscape design.

Maintenance
It is important to clean the air filters on a regular basis and remove any leaves or debris stuck in the condenser. Where necessary, the drainage system should also be unblocked. Some models feature automatic filter cleaning, but in general consumers are advised to consult a specialist for the overall maintenance of their air-conditioning system: every two years for mini-split and multisplit units and every three years for central air-conditioning systems.

Price and warranty
Central air-conditioning systems range from $4,000 to $6,000, and mini- and multi-split systems ring in at roughly $3,000. If you're able to find something considerably cheaper – usually imported – you can be sure that the quality will match the price. For room air conditioners, count on spending at least $300 for a good-quality window unit and up to $800 for a built-in system; mobile air conditioners retail at roughly $1,000. Most central air-conditioning systems come with a 10-yearwarranty on parts (including the compressor) and five years on labour. Mini- and multi-split units generally include a five-year warranty on parts and labour, while warranties for room air conditioners cover even shorter periods.