Best Air Conditioners – 2021 Ultimate Guide

With sweltering summer temperatures, an air conditioner is a necessity!

There are various types of air conditioners out there, each with different capabilities.

If you are ready to beat the heat, here is a detailed review of some of the trending air conditioners. Read on to find the right one to stay cool when the weather heats up.

Comparison of the Best Air Conditioners

How Does an Air Conditioner Work?

An air conditioner uses chemicals that are converted from gas to liquid and back again rapidly. These chemicals are responsible for transferring the heat from the air inside your home to the outside air and thereby, providing a cooling effect.

The air conditioner mainly consists of three components, including a compressor, condenser, and an evaporator. While the compressor and condenser are placed on the outside of the AC, the evaporator is typically located in the room.

The cooling fluid enters the compressor as a low-pressure gas. It moves to the condenser as a high-pressure hot gas, where it is converted into a liquid state. In the evaporator, the liquid begins to evaporate to gas.

The unit sucks air through vents, which is then used to cool gas in the evaporator, thereby removing the heat from gas. The ducts then blow the cool air back into the room.

When is it Time to Replace My Air Conditioner?

Like any other electronic appliance, an air conditioner does not last forever. Over the years, you will notice a decline in its performance. The following signs indicate that your AC unit needs replacement.

Not Getting Cold Air

It's obvious that when you are not getting cold air, there is something wrong with your air conditioner. Call for a professional, and if the repair is expensive or if the unit is beyond repair, it’s time to look for a new unit. 

Airflow is Not Great

You may notice that the AC is offering cool air, but the flow is not as good as it used to be. This can be due to damaged compressors and vents. If that is the case, it is time to look for a new unit. 

How Long Do Air Conditioners Last?

The lifespan of an AC depends on various factors, including regular maintenance, the area you live in, and humidity level. With proper care and maintenance, a good air conditioner generally lasts for 10 to 15 years.

What Size of Air Conditioner Do I Need?

Buying an air conditioner should never be an impulse decision. It is extremely important to do your homework before buying or installing one. 

For a small bedroom, you are recommended to go for a unit with 5000 to 6500 BTUs. Similarly, to cool a bigger or busier room, a model with 7000 to 8500 BTUs is enough. When it comes to a living room, you should install a big air conditioner with 9800 to 12500 BTU.

How Many BTU Air Conditioner Do I Need?

Choosing the right size is crucial to maximize performance and minimize the running cost. Models too powerful for a room size can result in making the room too cold or hot with an increase in power consumption and utility bills. Similarly, underpowered units need to be operated constantly, thereby altering the lifespan.

Therefore, you must do proper calculations while taking various factors like room size, type of room, the orientation of the window, and local climate into account. It is always better to choose a unit with equal or slightly greater capacity for the area.

As a rule of thumb, 20 BTUs are needed for each sq ft of the space. However, other factors like the height of the ceiling and the size of your windows might also alter the cooling power.

Air Conditioner BTU Chart

Here is a simple guide to the air conditioner cooling capacity suitable for certain room sizes.

Review of the Best Air Conditioners

Air conditioners serve a vital purpose in households. Here is a detailed review of some of the finest air conditioners from reliable brands to help you find the right pick.

Check them out!

How to Choose an Air Conditioner

Investing in a reliable air conditioner can be highly rewarding. However, you need to think with an open mind while making a choice. Since the market is flooding with units of various designs and sizes, you must look for certain features in a model. Here is a list of some of the essential ones.

Sturdy Build

ACs are generally made from platinum and steel. It is always advised to go for a model that is made from durable materials. The components and overall structure need to be corrosion-resistant to last in the long run.

Good Cooling Capacity

Though it depends on the room's size and your personal preference, you should still look for a model that bears the exact cooling power necessary to meet your demands.

Washable Filter

A filter is necessary to improve air quality that is transferred by the unit in an area. A high-quality filter not only filters the air but also prevents microbial growth, thereby ensuring clean and cool air in your home.

Smart Control Features

The latest models are equipped with smart control features. While some of them can be controlled by an app or voice control functions, others allow you to make adjustments without even getting up from your comfortable spot. Make sure to go for a remote that has large, well-spaced buttons and an easy-to-read LED screen.

Air Conditioner Troubleshooting

It is possible to come across some problems with an electronic appliance. Similarly, your air conditioner can often have certain issues in its function and performance. Read on to find the reasons for some of the commonly occurring issues with an air conditioner.

Why is My Air Conditioner Leaking Water?

One of the most common problems with these units is the water leak. This mainly occurs due to the clogged condensate pipe. You can fix it with the help of a technician or even by yourself using a wet or dry vacuum. 

One of the most common causes of water leaking from your air conditioner is the clogged condensate drain line. Similarly, the drain pan may be rusted or damaged.

The drain line often gets clogged with dust, dirt, sludge, and even mold, thereby resulting in water leakage. This can be dangerous and, therefore, require quick fixing. You can try various unclogging methods like using a vacuum.

Dirty Filter

A filter plays an important role in keeping the air clean and dust-free. A dirty and clogged air filter greatly reduces the cooling ability of the air conditioner. Therefore, it is always recommended to check and clean the air filters at regular intervals. 

How to Troubleshoot; Air Conditioner Makes Loud Noise When Starting

The clanging and banging noises can be due to debris in the unit. This can be solved by removing the obstruction and tightening the fan back in place. Similarly, the screeching noise can be due to broken fan motor bearings, and it can be eliminated by installing a new fan motor.

What's Wrong if My Air Conditioner Stinks When I Turn it on?

The foul smell that comes from your unit when you turn it on refers to Dirty Sock Syndrome. It is generally caused by molds and bacteria on your AC's evaporator coil. The buildup of moisture, dirt, and dust allows bacterial multiplication, thereby generating a mildew-like odor.

How Do They Compare?

The availability of various products for a certain purpose might make you wonder which one you should go for. Since it can be a huge investment, you need to be careful about it. This section draws a detailed comparison between various appliances to help you choose the right one.

Heat Pump vs Air Conditioner

Both types of HVAC systems are designed to provide energy-efficient performance. Most of the models come with high SEER ratings to cut down on your monthly bills. Here’s a comparison between the two:

Cost to Operate

In moderately cold temperatures, the heat pump provides energy-efficient heating. However, as the temperature drops below freezing, it requires more energy to maintain comfort, thereby increasing the electric bill. On the other hand, an air conditioner offers energy-efficient performance in all conditions.

Heating Mode

While a heat pump can cool and heat, an air conditioner can't. The latter needs to be paired with a furnace to provide heat during cold months.

Longevity

An AC unit tends to last longer than a heat pump. Since heat pumps are designed to heat and cool the home, they are used around the year. Contrary to this, an air conditioner usually gets a break during cold months if not paired with a furnace for a heat source.

Swamp Cooler vs Air Conditioner

Both types of units tend to cool down the temperature of a place. They work in their ways to cool down a room. 

Operation

An air conditioner generally uses a refrigerant for the removal of moisture and heat. On the other hand, a swamp cooler generally requires electricity and water to operate.

Cost and Maintenance

The major disadvantage of an AC is its hefty installation cost. Moreover, monthly maintenance can cost you a lot for these units. Contrary to this, a swamp cooler requires less maintenance and, therefore, ensures considerable savings.

Placement

While an AC works best in fully closed environments, a swamp cooler is suitable for open environments with plenty of fresh air.

Frigidaire vs LG Air Conditioner

Frigidaire and LG have their respective positions in the HVAC industry. Both companies have developed a reputation for providing some high-end products over the years.

Both companies use the latest technologies in their ACs to ensure maximum comfort to the user on hot days of summer. They are designed to work as a dehumidifier as well to improve the overall experience. The differences lie in the following:

Cooling Capacity

LG models generally come with higher cooling capacities as compared to Frigidaire AC units. This makes the former a better option for larger spaces.

Cost

When it comes to price, LG units tend to fall on the higher end of the cost spectrum. However, they are worth the investment.

How to Clean Air Conditioner

Proper maintenance of an air conditioner is necessary to keep it working efficiently. It needs to be cleaned at regular intervals to offer a consistent level of cooling. 

Cleaning the system might seem like a difficult task. However, with patience and precision, you can get the task done easily. Just follow these simple steps to clean the air conditioner for better performance.

1. Since the unit contains many moving parts, you should turn it off first.
   
   
2. Now remove the plastic filter holder/cage and then the unit from the window.
   
   
3. Depending on your unit, there will be debris buildup in the system. Remove the debris with the help of a vacuum or blower.
   
   
4. Dilute your cleaning solution and spray it over the entire surface of the coils. Let the foam do the work and rinse it off with a hose.
   
   
5. Now straighten the bent cooling fins with the help of a fin comb. This is extremely crucial in maintaining efficiency.
   
   
6. Reattach the fan cage and screw it properly. Make sure to clear the nearby area as well for optimal airflow.

That's all you need to do for regular cleaning. If you still have any confusion, you can refer to the video below to have a full overview of what was just described.

Conclusion

Choosing the best air conditioner can be a struggle, especially if you don't know what you need. Therefore, it is always suggested to consider certain factors like size, cooling capacity, brand, and smart features for an ideal pick. You can go for any of our recommended air conditioners to get the right unit for your home.

People Also Ask

There are various brands out there offering their modified version of air conditioners. This wide variety can give rise to various questions in your mind. Answers to the following questions can give you further clarity. 

Who Invented the Air Conditioner?

The first modern air conditioner was introduced to the world by Willis Haviland Carrier in 1902. He was a 25-year old skilled engineer who experimented on humidity laws in a printing plant in New York where he worked. His hard work led to the creation of a very useful household appliance.

How Many Degrees Can an Air Conditioner Cool?

An air conditioner is generally designed to lower your indoor temperature about 20 degrees from the temperature outside. You can easily do the math yourself. If it's 100°F outside, your AC unit will be running at its maximum efficiency to maintain a temperature below 80°F inside.

What Does Seers Mean in Air Conditioners?

SEER is an abbreviation for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It is a rating system that helps you quickly determine the air conditioner's energy efficiency. The SEER value can be calculated by taking the number of BTUs (the cooling output) of an air conditioner and dividing it by the unit's wattage. The higher the SEER ratings, the greater the efficiency.

Can I Install an AC Myself?

Yes, you definitely can. All air conditioners from reliable brands come with a detailed instruction manual. All you need is to carefully follow the instructions to get the job done right.