Are you looking for the best type of air conditioner for one specific room? Something efficient, with low energy consumption, powerful enough to cool down your personal space, and fitting with the design? It is easy to get lost among different types of air conditioners with all the offers out there!
We have researched what the online market of room air conditioner types has to offer today.
The choice of a room air conditioner can depend on various factors. You cannot use the same criteria as you would when choosing a HVAC system for your whole house. When we browsed through the devices, models, and types of room air conditioners, here is what we focused on.
Best portable cooling devices
1. Cooling Power
The cooling power of the room air conditioner should be reasonable since we are going to be using the device in one room only. So there is no need to go overboard and use the most powerful product out there unless you use it in a huge space. This is why, when looking at the cooling power of the different types of air conditioning, you should also take into account the…
2. Space Requirements
What room size will your air conditioner cool? Would you like it to cool the whole area or just your personal space? If it is the latter, we highly recommend you go for a personal evaporative air cooler! On the other hand, if you would like to cool down the whole room, here is an approximate idea of calculating the capacity, which is measured in BTU (British Thermal Units).
Multiply the length by the width of the room to be cooled, in square feet. For example, your room measures 20ft x 12ft = 240ft2. Take the 240ft2 and multiply them by 25BTU/ft2. You will get the 240 x 25 = 6000 BTU cooling capacity. The desired BTU is what you will need to focus on when browsing various types of air conditioners for home.
3. Device Size
You will most likely try to pick an ergonomic air conditioner and take as little space as possible. However, when looking at the dimensions, we would like to remind you that it is also highly recommended to have at least one foot (12 inches) of clearance on each side of your future air conditioner. This is a must for the safety and proper functioning of your device.
4. Budget
The financial side of air conditioning units types consists of several parts: the price of the device itself, the installation cost, the eventual electricity consumption, and the possible maintenance. You should take all these into account and make sure the prices are reasonable for the type of room you need to cool down.
5. Level of noise
Even though the types of air conditioner systems are getting modern and quiet, make sure you check out the noise in Db, you don’t want to be distracted while working or sleeping. On the other hand, evaporative air coolers are known for being very efficient and quiet.
6. Types of air conditioning units and their design
Based on the type of room, design, and requirements, you can go for a window-mounted air conditioner, a floor-mounted ac, a ductless mini-split system, or a portable air conditioner. Here, you will need to consider both the technical part (the best in terms of efficiency) and the visual element (how the air conditioning unit fits your interior).
We took into account all of these criteria and came up with a list of favorites. So here are our top five types of air conditioning for a room.
1. Portable air conditioners
It is in the name — we can move this air conditioning device from room to room. However, in some way, any portable types of air conditioning units have to be vented out of the window — make sure you have the necessary space and equipment.
This is an excellent indoor idea for buildings where regulations don’t allow mounting different types of air conditioners in the buildings and the walls.
WHO IS IT FOR: Those who are looking for a relatively inexpensive and temporary cooling solution.
Example: Portable Conditioner Black Decker
One of the best-selling types of air conditioning devices on Amazon, with a cooling power of 10000 BTU. It is excellent for small and medium-sized rooms, and it is a non-expensive option for those looking to purchase a good price/quality air conditioner.
What users like: little noise, efficiency, quality to price ratio
What users don’t like: with high temperatures outside, the cooling capacity of the Black Decker is less than desired.
An excellent, inexpensive alternative to portable types of air conditioning units is evaporative air coolers by Evapolar. Why?
- Users of portable air conditioners often complain about the noise. Evapolar devices are whisper-quiet.
- Very low electricity consumption.
- Evapolar air coolers cool down your personal space — this is the best solution to ‘targeted’ cooling, instead of freezing down the whole room. Especially if you are sharing the room with somebody else!
- In comparison to other room air conditioners, Evapolar coolers take very little space. If the square feet are an issue, then consider it solved.
- Three functions in one: cooling, humidifying, purifying.
WHO IS IT FOR: Those who are looking for an efficient, energy-saving cooling solution for a very affordable price.
Let’s take a look at other options of room types of ac units.
2. Window air conditioner
Window ac cooling units are great for cooling down the temperature within one room. They come in all possible sizes, so it shouldn’t be hard to find one that is just right for your space. The price range of window air conditioners is very wide as well.
It definitely requires more sophisticated installation, which can be difficult depending on the building. For example, some residential buildings do not allow mounting air conditioners on windows; make sure you double-check before making an investment!
WHO IS IT FOR: Apartment owners who are ready to invest in a permanent and efficient cooling option.
Example: Frigidaire Connect Window Conditioner
With its 10000BTU cooling capacity, you can also control it via WiFi. In addition, the Frigidaire app provides you the convenience to remotely turn the unit on or off, change temperature, plus control modes and fan speeds.
What users love: being able to control the temperature and save on energy
What users don’t like: the noise
3. Geothermal Cooling
The geothermal process is typically used for heating, but it works well for cooling too! The way it works is that geothermal technology extracts the heat from below the ground and transfers it into your home. You install a geothermal coil into the ground and use the energy for both heating and cooling.
It is a new technology and a significant investment. However, it is a perfect solution for those looking for a sustainable heating/cooling solution in the long run. For pricing and adjusting it to your house, you can check out the options and functions with your contractor.
WHO IS IT FOR: Eco-friendly homeowners who are ready to use new-generation cooling options.
4. Ductless, Mini-Split Air Conditioners
If your place doesn’t have ductwork and you can’t extend your existing system to the room you need to cool, ductless mini-split systems are here for the rescue. You place one ductless unit per room you need to chill. Today, it is one of the most effective cooling solutions on the market, but you need to calculate the space for cooling carefully.
Careful! Unlike portable and window air conditioners, it is a permanent fixture, making sure you place it where it will work the most efficiently.
WHO IS IT FOR: Homeowners who need a cooling solution for one (or more) rooms in their permanent residence.
Example: Daikin Ductless Air Conditioners
Efficient, powerful, and high-tech, they can help you achieve ideal air in your room. Daikin FIT system is designed to FIT comfort, space-saving, and efficiency requirements with ease.
The main downside of mini splits is their cost. Ductless mini-split systems cost about $1,500 to $2,000 per ton (12,000 Btu per hour) of cooling capacity. They also require professional installation, so make sure you include that into the cost as well.
As you can see, there are as many options as there are rooms. It all depends on your budget, needs, space, how long you need it, design requirements, etc. We are all for efficiency and minimalism at the same time at Evapolar, which is why we have perfected our air coolers to be the perfect cooling device for your personal space in your room.
We hope this selection of different types of room air conditioners has been helpful! If you’d like more information on how evaporative air coolers can be helpful for your single space, send us a message!
People also ask (FAQ):
1. What is the best type of air conditioner for a very small room?
It depends on what use you will make of it. If it is for an office, a bedroom for sleeping, or a place like a workshop where you need to be cool during a specific activity type, we recommend evaporative air coolers. They chill down your personal space without wasting energy on cooling the whole room.
2. How do I save energy on air conditioning?
Adjust the temperature precisely. Turn off the device when you don’t need it. Carefully calculate how many BTUs you need for a specific room. Go for a small yet energy-saving device like a small portable air cooler. Any Evapolar device consumes less than 12W.
3. What is the best idea for a room air conditioner if I am only renting?
The cooling solution that doesn’t interfere with the work or design is a portable air cooler or a portable air conditioner.
4. I am having trouble sleeping. How do I make sure the cooling device doesn’t bother me?
Check out the noise level in decibels (Db) – any trustworthy provider must give you this number. To avoid sleep disturbance, the guidelines for bedroom decibels are between 30 and 40. Evaporative air coolers emit almost no noise, while portable air conditioners are usually the loudest ones.
5. I only need the air conditioner for a few weeks a year. Which is the best option for me?
The one you can unplug and store! If you have a lot of storage space, it can be a portable air conditioner. If you need to save on storage, an air cooler is the best solution for those who only experience a few weeks of heat per year.
