A Checklist for Picking the Right Window Cooler

A Checklist for Picking the Right Window Cooler

The following contribution is from another author.

The warmer months bring with them sunshine, outdoor swimming, ice creams in the park, and a whole lot of other fun. But when it comes to getting stuff done, having the heat beating down on you incessantly can make it almost impossible to concentrate. 

Air coolers transform your indoor spaces into cool havens where you can go to escape the humidity, allowing you to get on with the things you need to do. 

Choosing a personal cooler can be a difficult decision if you’re not sure what you’re looking for, so we’ve put together a simple checklist for picking the right window cooler. From cost to efficiency, we’ve got you covered on how to keep cool with the right window cooler for you.

 

Room Size

 

The size of the room you’re trying to cool should be one of the first things on your checklist, as getting the wrong size air cooler for the job will mean your efforts are wasted. 

If the air cooler is too small, it will fail to properly cool the room which is a waste of money and energy. Too big, on the other hand, and it could provide ineffective dehumidification and it will often turn off automatically by itself meaning you’ll need to manually turn it back on.

 

Budget  

 

Initial Cost 

Before you start shopping for an air cooler, think about what your budget is going to be. High-end air coolers are typically packed full of features, which can certainly be convenient to the user, but are not always essential, so think about which are the most important to you.  

Running Costs 

The amount an air cooler costs to run depends on how much energy it uses, which in turn depends on the settings you have it on and the size of the room you’re cooling. 

So, if you’re opting for a larger air cooler with the intention of running it on the highest fan setting, you can expect to have higher running costs, although some ACs will have features that help to reduce your running costs. 

 

Features 

 

Depending on your budget, you can find some pretty cool features on air coolers these days, but you’ll need to consider which one is going to be the most useful to you so you can choose the right option for your needs. 

Pad Thickness

Don’t overlook the thickness of the cooler pads, as this will help with cooling the air. Pads that are around 90mm offer the best cooling performance, so it’s worth keeping this in mind when you’re shopping for a new air cooler. 

Speed

Being able to change the speed setting on your air cooler allows you to control the fan speed, so you can tailor it to cool the climate you’re in perfectly. Selecting a slower speed is also often a quieter option as the fans move less, so you can lower it at night, for example. 

Remote Control

The ability to control your air cooler remotely adds another level of convenience, as you can change the settings from the comfort of wherever you are with hands-free control. 

Sleep Mode Function 

This is a great way to reduce the running costs of an air cooler as it reduces the cooling output every hour, meaning you’ll maintain a cool room without expending as much energy. 

Self-Cleaning 

For the ultimate convenient cooler, choose one that can self-clean. This keeps the growth of potentially harmful microorganisms and bacteria to a minimum, if not completely preventing it, by reducing the level of moisture. It also helps to keep your cooler running for longer. 

 

Noise Volume 

 

Another factor that should be considered on your checklist is how much noise an air cooler produces! If you’re trying to cool the room you’re working in, then it’s unlikely you’ll want a bunch of noisy fans distracting you instead, so try to choose one with a dB rating under 50. 

 

Energy Efficiency 

 

The majority of electrical appliances these days have an energy star rating to indicate how energy efficient they will be. Choosing an air cooler with more starts means it will consume less power, which makes it more energy-efficient and will help to reduce your energy bills.

Conclusion

Come the warmer months, we guarantee that you’ll be thanking yourself for taking the time to choose the right window cooler. We hope this checklist of things to consider before buying an air cooler has been helpful and that you’re excited to stay cool this summer.

Author

Eric is the creator of At Home in the Future and has been a passionate fan of the future since he was seven. He's a web developer by trade, and serves as the Director of Communication and Technology for a large church in Nashville, TN (where he and his family are building a high tech home in the woods).