In Bangladesh, the usage of air conditioners in residential settings has increased significantly over the last couple of years. Improved lifestyle and affordability are two of the main factors that have led people to buy one for their home. Now if you are one of those people or are looking to buy one, there is a lot to consider. First, there are different types of air conditioners and you have plenty of options to choose from. Once you have decided on the air conditioning system that’s right for you, there are some other factors to consider including cost, capacity, and maintenance. But don’t worry, in this article, we will put these things into perspective and give you an overall idea of what kind of air conditioner is better suited for you.
Types of air conditioners
Air conditioners usually fall into two categories; they are either monoblock or split-systems. In a monoblock system, units consist of one block (e.g. window, portable, etc.) and in a split-system, units consist of two blocks – an indoor unit for cold air delivery and an outdoor unit for cooling and recycling of the air. That being said, here are 4 of the most popular monoblock and split-system air conditioners in Bangladesh.
Portable air conditioners (Monoblock)
These units require no special mounting. However, they do come with a flexible exhaust pipe which is routed through a window or hole in the wall. These types of air conditioners discharge hot air through the pipe when in use. There are both advantages and disadvantages of these systems. Since the compressor is located inside the unit rather than in a separate unit, the portable monoblock air conditioners tend to be quite noisy. And because of their small compressor size, they have the disadvantages of being limited in capacity.
But one of the upsides is that they do not require any installation and are the most affordable. Also, they are very energy efficient and you can move them wherever you want. Although not as popular as other types of air conditioners in this list, portable air conditioners can be great for your kid’s room since you can target a specific area to make it cool.
Window air conditioners (Monoblock)
Also known as “through the wall air conditioners”, these used to be the most widespread types of air conditioners in the world. They were almost standard in apartments, houses, offices, and cabins in Bangladesh. But they became less popular when split air conditioning systems came to the market. However, the usage of window air conditioners is still prominent in Mediterranean countries and the Middle East.
The basic ones can only chill air whereas the more expensive ones feature a heat pump mode and come with a remote-control. One of the main disadvantages of window air-conditioners is, just like a portable air conditioner, they are also noisy. Also, these draw the most amount of power than other systems in the list and require mounting into the window opening or more usually through a narrow wall. On the plus side, they are reasonably priced and easier to install.
Wall-mounted air conditioners (Split air conditioning)
Wall-mounted split air conditioners are the most popular types of air conditioners in Bangladesh. They also come with the most variety in terms of styles, capacities, and levels of functionality. Most of these units are engineer fit, meaning there is no quick connection mechanism. Although almost all of these wall-mounted split type air conditioning systems come with a free installation service as the installation process itself is quite complex. However, the benefit is that the installation is neat. Typically wall mounted split system air conditioners are mounted at a high level and come with several operating modes, including a heat pump, timer functionality, remote control, and air purification features. Typically these types of air conditioners consume less energy than the other systems.
Ceiling cassette or ceiling suspended air conditioners (Split air conditioning)
Ceiling suspended air conditioners or ceiling cassette air conditioners are most appropriate for large spaces in a house or commercial space. These are designed to be fitted or suspended on the ceiling which is attached to the air pipe that goes through the building. The main advantage of a cassette air conditioner or suspended air conditioner is aesthetics and power. That is to say, these are more modern looking and do not stick out of a wall or from the floor. The only things that are visible are the 4 outlet louvers. Since these types of air conditioners come with higher capacities, typically, a single ceiling cassette air conditioner can do the same job as 3 or 4 wall-mounted units. That also means these will consume more energy.
Be it a monoblock or a split-system, all of these air conditioners come either with inverter technology or without it. An inverter type air-conditioner can adjust the speed of the compressor to control the refrigerant (gas) flow rate. Meaning it will consume less power than a non-inverter one. So if you want your air conditioning units to consume less energy, you may want to opt for an inverter system.
Cost
Since there are a large variety of air conditioning systems in the market, you can find air conditioners at different price points. In Bangladesh, it is more popular to measure the cooling capacity of an air conditioner in tons rather than BTUs, which is a good estimate of delivery per capacity of room space. The higher the value, the higher the price. That said, a good quality 1 ton (or 12,000 BTU/hr) air conditioning system can be found at a starting price of BDT 30,000 or less [ref: 01]. Now if you want an air conditioner with inverter technology, the price will go up. Typically, portable air conditioners are priced lower than other types of air conditioners in the market, whereas a cassette or suspended air conditioning system can cost you the most as they come in higher capacity.
Air conditioning capacity requirements
The larger the room, the higher the air conditioning capacity you will need for a room to be properly cooled. Now depending on the region you live in, the air conditioning capacity for your room or house may vary. For example, in a hot region such as in Bangladesh, typically, you will need 1 ton (or 12,000 BTU/hr) air conditioning system for 110 sq.ft. of space (more or less) to get it cool properly. Or you can use the area method to calculate the required capacity of your air conditioning system correctly.
Area Method: First calculate the square footage of the area by multiplying the length and the width of the room (in feet). Now take the square root of the answer and divide it by 10. The resulting number will give the desired tonnage. [ref: 02]
For example:
If the room is 10 feet wide by 15 feet long. Then according to the calculation, for a 150 sq.ft. room you will need approximately 1.2 ton of air conditioning.
[Note 01: This calculation method is just to give you an approximation. It is recommended to consult with an expert before opting for buying one]
[Note 02: Capacity will also vary based on what and how much stuff is in the room. For example an empty room cools faster whereas a server room will not.]
Maintenance
Maintenance of your air conditioning units is very important if you want to avoid unwanted incidents. Keeping a maintenance routine can also save you money and helps your air conditioning system perform better and for longer. According to many experts, it is ideal to service your home air conditioning once a year. However, to ensure your system functions smoothly, you need to do some “check up” on a regular basis. Some of which you can DIY.
For example, changing the air filter is one of the easiest ways to maintain your unit. You don’t need any professional skills for that; simply locate your unit’s filter slot, slide out the old filter and insert the new one or clean and replace if it is reusable. Just make sure of the direction of the airflow and which side of the filter needs to face out. Read the instruction manual for correct filter sizes and guidance.
However, there are times when you should let a professional service your air conditioning units. If you hear strange noises coming from your air conditioning units or if it stops blowing cool air, it is time to call in the professionals. Don’t ignore anything that seems unusual to you. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Choosing, buying, and maintaining an air conditioning system can be really challenging especially if you are a first-time buyer. There is a lot to take into consideration. That is why we tried to cover almost everything that you need to know about air conditioning units. We hope you found this article helpful and do let us know what types of air conditioning system you are looking for in the comments section below.
ref 01: https://www.daraz.com.bd/catalog/?from=input&q=ac&sort=priceasc&ppath=40052:193061
ref 02: https://www.blueleavesdesign.co.in/post/how-to-calculate-the-perfect-ac-size
