Air conditioning
How to choose an air conditioner
In short: allow about 80 W/m² for a bedroom and 100 W/m² for a living room, which means 9,000 BTU under 25 m², 12,000 BTU for 25 to 35 m² and 18,000 BTU above that.
Finding the air conditioner best suited to your needs means assessing several technical criteria.
The capacity you need
The required capacity depends on a heat load calculation based on the climate, room occupancy, glazed area, insulation and wall construction. As a general rule, 80 W/m² is enough for a bedroom and about 100 W/m² for a living room. Capacity is measured in BTU (2,500 W ≈ 9,000 BTU).
| Under 25 m² | 9,000 BTU |
|---|---|
| 25 to 35 m² | 12,000 BTU |
| Over 35 m² | 18,000 BTU |
Energy class
European directives require an energy label rated from A to G, A being the most efficient. This rating reflects the unit's COP value.
EER and COP
The EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) measures performance in cooling mode by dividing the cooling energy produced by the electrical energy consumed. The COP (Coefficient of Performance) measures efficiency in heating mode: a COP of 3 means the heat pump delivers 3 kWh of heat for 1 kWh of electricity consumed.
Airflow and noise level
Good ventilation requires adjustable airflow: about 150 m³/h for a small room and 300 m³/h for around 30 m². Noise levels generally range from 30 to 70 decibels; split systems are quieter than single-unit systems because the compressor is located outdoors.
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