Do you fee like you are in a hot cage during this summer? Hmm, you might be considering to have your own cooling system now. Worry no more, we’ll give you some things to keep in mind before buying your own Aircon.
Below are some tips that you may consider when buying an AC, it’s good to be prepared than never right? So we’ve got you covered here!
- Size Matters
Of your space, that is. The first thing you need to do before even going to the appliance store is
measure your room’s dimensions, because the bigger the room, the more horsepower (HP) you
need. Choosing the right HP is crucial not just in terms of how cool your room will get, but also
how much electricity you consume. An underpowered (low HP) AC will end up working overtime
just to cool your space (if it ever does), while too much HP means that your unit turns on and off
more frequently to maintain your desired temperature. Either way, you end up spending more
on your electricity bill.
Meralco has a handy table in their website that shows exactly how much HP you need
depending on your room size. For example, if your room is 18 to 22 square meters, you will
need a 1.0 HP unit.
Speaking of capacity, it’s also important to check the overall load capacity of your home, and
that it can handle the additional load of your new AC. You can confirm this with your electrician
or AC installer prior to installing your unit.
2. Let your walls or windows do the talking
OK, so now you know that you need a 1.0 HP unit. But should you get a 1.0 HP window-type, or
a 1.0 HP split-type? Window-type ACs are named as such because they can usually fit into
decent sized windows, and requires very little professional assistance to install, if any. Just
make sure to measure your window first and then match the specs with the AC unit you are
considering.
In some cases, your window might not be big enough for a window-type and you might not want
(or not be allowed by your homeowner) to drill holes and attach brackets for a split-type. There
is another option you can look at—a portable air-conditioner. It only requires a small opening or
slot in your window for the exhaust hose to pass through, plus you have the added benefit of
portability.
3. Is an inverter better? Depends, buddy!
So now you know you need a 1.0 HP split-type, and you’re hearing all these wonderful things
about inverters. Without a doubt, inverter technology is amazing and has plenty of benefits,
including energy efficiency. So should you bite the bullet and get one? It depends on a few
things, especially on your planned usage. Inverters have compressors that can speed up or
slow down depending on the room temperature—once the room is cool enough, the compressor
will run at very slow speeds, which consumes less energy than full speed, and then speeds up
again if more cooling is needed. On the other hand, non-inverters have fixed speed
compressors that turn off when the desired temperature is reached, and then turn on again
when the room temperature rises. This recurring “on and off” type of operation can consume
larger amounts of electricity, especially if used for long periods.
So does that make inverters more economical? If you plan on using your aircon for continuously
long periods per day—say eight or more hours straight—go with the inverter to save money on
your electric bill. But if you tend to use your AC for short bursts only, say one or two hours at a
time just to cool the room, then you’re better off getting a non-inverter. An inverter will consume
more or less the same electricity during these bursts as a non-inverter, plus the unit itself will
likely cost more than its non-inverter counterpart.
4. Think of the short and long term savings
Ultimately, if savings are what you are after, you need to decide between short term or long-
term savings. An inverter might be relatively more expensive than a non-inverter, but its energy
efficiency can translate to more pesos saved in the long run. On the other hand, if your bigger
concern right now is the price tag of the unit, then you can opt for a relatively cheaper non-
inverter that gives you the best performance possible for its price.
Good thing there are a lot of options now on how you can pay for your appliances. 0% is waving also for some credit cards, so you don’t have to worry too much!
Home Credit, the country’s leading provider of gadget and appliance loans with a fast-growing
mobile app user base, offers an exciting range of promos for air-conditioners including 0%
interest and gift payment, where you can waive your last installment amount as a “gift” for
settling your previous dues on time.
All you have to do is apply for a Home Credit loan from selected Home Credit partner stores.
Home Credit partner brands like Mabe and TCL are also offering 0% interest on all its cooling
commodities.
Apart from these exciting promos, Home Credit also has an ongoing Tiktok dance promo called
“Beat the init” which offers exciting prizes for Tiktokers who can showcase their best moves to
cool down this summer.
For more information about Home Credit’s air-conditioner offerings and how to join the “Beat the
init” contest, visit their website at www.homecredit.ph or follow them on www.facebook.com/homcreditph. You may also follow them on Tiktok at @homecreditph.
