Over the years I am often asked what is the best Air conditioner to buy. With most brands being made in China, the quality difference is narrowing.
There are many brands that are made in the same factory with just different labels, especially in the cheaper ranges. Some of the Japanese brands are still a reasonable quality, depending on the amount of oversight by the Japanese company. For the sake of the exercise I will concentrate on split systems in Thailand as ducted systems are more complex and have their own unique problems.
Firstly I would not buy anything out of Korea other than a phone or Tablet.
General rule of thumb is to buy a recognised Japanese brand. Daikin Fujitsu Toshiba Mitsubishi Panasonic are all recognised Japanese brands most of which are now made in China. To me, the main points to look for are reliability and ease and availability of service agents in case there is a problem so look for a brand that has its own or authorised service agents. At least you have a good chance of getting parts and expertise from experienced technicians.
Most people outside of a few specific areas will need a cooling only unit. Either standard or with a variable frequency drive (VRF or VRV). VRF units do use less power and will be provide power savings in the long run although initially more expensive. They are also more expensive if they breakdown outside of warranty, so if short term use and purchase price is more important, a standard cheaper unit may suffice.
The Indoor cooling unit will produce water and depending on the size around 0.5 to 2 litres per hour as a guide. Therefore they need to be installed on the inside of an external wall to drain the condensate water outside.
If installed on an internal wall a small drain pump will be needed with a drain piped to outside, usually via the roof or ceiling space. These pumps are small and need quarterly maintenance to keep clean or they will block or fail and leave you with wall and or ceiling water stains, so always use an outside wall if possible. Also the A/C pipework must go from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit and unless their is ceiling access it can look ugly.
A unit installed on an outside wall preferably with the outdoor unit directly on the other side of the wall and known as a "back to back" installation is generally the best and cheapest.
Remember the outside unit is best placed in an area with plenty of flow through ventilation and may need to be fixed higher up the wall to achieve enough ventilation. If the air is inhibited or tends to recirculate through the outdoor unit it will run hotter, will be less reliable and consume more power.
If you are in a house with standard windows and some shading the rule of thumb is multiply the length and width of the floor in feet and multiply by 50 will give you the approximate size you require in BTUs.
I E: Room 10ft x 10ft = 100 sq ft x 50 = 5000 BTUs
Unshaded uninsulated western wall with large windows will require slightly more.
I personally prefer Mitsubishi or Panasonic.
DISCLOSURE:
I should state I have been in refrigeration and air conditioning for over 40 years and have a small interest in a refrigeration and air conditioning business in Bangkok Thailand. It is an authorised sales and service agent and parts stockist for both Mitsubishi Electric Air conditioning and Panasonic Air conditioning and white goods. I am a design Engineer (semi retired) in commercial and Industrial refrigeration and have run education seminars on the subject. I am also happy to give any advice on the subject if a member needs any.
There are many brands that are made in the same factory with just different labels, especially in the cheaper ranges. Some of the Japanese brands are still a reasonable quality, depending on the amount of oversight by the Japanese company. For the sake of the exercise I will concentrate on split systems in Thailand as ducted systems are more complex and have their own unique problems.
Firstly I would not buy anything out of Korea other than a phone or Tablet.
General rule of thumb is to buy a recognised Japanese brand. Daikin Fujitsu Toshiba Mitsubishi Panasonic are all recognised Japanese brands most of which are now made in China. To me, the main points to look for are reliability and ease and availability of service agents in case there is a problem so look for a brand that has its own or authorised service agents. At least you have a good chance of getting parts and expertise from experienced technicians.
Most people outside of a few specific areas will need a cooling only unit. Either standard or with a variable frequency drive (VRF or VRV). VRF units do use less power and will be provide power savings in the long run although initially more expensive. They are also more expensive if they breakdown outside of warranty, so if short term use and purchase price is more important, a standard cheaper unit may suffice.
The Indoor cooling unit will produce water and depending on the size around 0.5 to 2 litres per hour as a guide. Therefore they need to be installed on the inside of an external wall to drain the condensate water outside.
If installed on an internal wall a small drain pump will be needed with a drain piped to outside, usually via the roof or ceiling space. These pumps are small and need quarterly maintenance to keep clean or they will block or fail and leave you with wall and or ceiling water stains, so always use an outside wall if possible. Also the A/C pipework must go from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit and unless their is ceiling access it can look ugly.
A unit installed on an outside wall preferably with the outdoor unit directly on the other side of the wall and known as a "back to back" installation is generally the best and cheapest.
Remember the outside unit is best placed in an area with plenty of flow through ventilation and may need to be fixed higher up the wall to achieve enough ventilation. If the air is inhibited or tends to recirculate through the outdoor unit it will run hotter, will be less reliable and consume more power.
If you are in a house with standard windows and some shading the rule of thumb is multiply the length and width of the floor in feet and multiply by 50 will give you the approximate size you require in BTUs.
I E: Room 10ft x 10ft = 100 sq ft x 50 = 5000 BTUs
Unshaded uninsulated western wall with large windows will require slightly more.
I personally prefer Mitsubishi or Panasonic.
DISCLOSURE:
I should state I have been in refrigeration and air conditioning for over 40 years and have a small interest in a refrigeration and air conditioning business in Bangkok Thailand. It is an authorised sales and service agent and parts stockist for both Mitsubishi Electric Air conditioning and Panasonic Air conditioning and white goods. I am a design Engineer (semi retired) in commercial and Industrial refrigeration and have run education seminars on the subject. I am also happy to give any advice on the subject if a member needs any.
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