During periods of high heat, there is nothing like an air conditioner in your home to cool you down. Do you want to have one installed in your home, but you don't know which model to buy? There are several types of air conditioners and the choice is made according to several criteria. Learn what you need to know about the device to install and what to remember when selecting the right device.

How does an air conditioner work?

The operation of an air conditioner is similar to that of a refrigerator. A refrigerant circulates through a closed circuit and traps the heat present in the rooms to release it outside. Specialists recommend a setting of no more than 7°C between the actual temperature and the one set in the air conditioner. Indeed, a variation of 4°C is already noticeable and too much of a difference could be harmful to health.

Over time, air conditioner models have evolved to become more versatile. So-called reversible devices were born. They allow you to cool rooms during the hot seasons and to warm the interior of the houses in winter. This system reverses the cycle in order to return hot air to the rooms in your home.

The different types of air conditioners

There is a wide range of air conditioners. Discover the main types that you can frequently encounter on the market.

The monoblock air conditioner

The monoblock air conditioner is perfectly suited to small volumes of rooms to be heated. It has a single unit placed inside the room and only refreshes this room.

A relatively small device, it is easy to install and use. It is also one of the cheapest air conditioners on the market. However, it produces a loud audible sound, which can disturb the occupants of the room.

The split air conditioner

Then there is the split air conditioner. This name comes from the fact that it consists of at least one outdoor unit and one indoor unit. Two subcategories stand out among the split models: monosplit and multisplit.

The monosplit is composed of a single outdoor unit and another indoor unit. The latter is installed in a room in the house. The multisplit consists of an outdoor unit and several indoor units. They are distributed between the different rooms of the house for optimal functioning.

The split air conditioner offers better comfort of use, since it is discreet and silent. In fact, the outdoor unit is the one that produces the most noise and does not disturb the occupants of the house in any way. On the other hand, these models are among the most expensive on the market.

The reversible air conditioner

The reversible air conditioner is capable of both cooling and heating the rooms in your home. Thanks to this double function, it is very practical and economical in terms of energy expenditure. However, in the middle of winter, it does not make it possible to replace a real heating system due to lack of efficiency. It is more used as a heat source supplement.

The reversible air conditioner can be monoblock or split. This additional heating function makes it more expensive compared to other models, but it's definitely worth the investment.

The mobile air conditioner

The mobile air conditioner is the most practical model. It's portable and you can easily move it from room to room as you like. The block is fully functional without the need for prior installation. In addition, it is compact and relatively light.

Mobile air conditioner models are affordable, but are for one-time use only. Their performance only allows them to freshen up one room.

The wall-mounted air conditioner

The wall-mounted air conditioner is mounted on a wall in the room. It is the most classic model on the market, but also one of the most efficient. It stands out for its silence and for its discretion, as it takes up very little space. Its price is average and offers a very good quality/price ratio.

The cassette air conditioner

The cassette air conditioner is a split model that differs from standard splits in that it is installed on the ceiling. It has greater performance and can refresh very large areas, up to 150 m². In addition to being discreet, it is also generally equipped with the reversible function.

The cassette air conditioner is frequently encountered in commercial premises and offices for its performance. Nevertheless, this model is particularly expensive.

How to choose the right air conditioner?

Here are some key things you need to consider when choosing the right air conditioner model for you:

• The size of your home: consider the size of the living area, as well as the number of rooms to choose the right air conditioner. Generally, a multisplit model is suitable for a house with several rooms and at least one floor. Choose the cassette air conditioner for a large room such as a store;
• The climate where you are located: if you are located in a region where summers are very hot, opt for a split model that is quite efficient. For fairly mild summers, a monoblock model may suffice;
• The noise of the device: if you cannot handle noise, choose a split model that will be quieter thanks to its noisy unit placed outside;
• Clutter: choose the location of your air conditioner carefully before buying it. Split models are more cumbersome, since they take up space inside and outside the rooms. Portable models are the least bulky, since you can move them around as you like;
• The device's energy label: check the label on each model before buying it. Various coefficients are present on this label, including EER or refrigeration efficiency coefficient, SEER or seasonal refrigeration efficiency coefficient, SCOP or the power and performance coefficient, and the noise level. The numbers say a lot about the efficiency, performance and consumption of the device;
• The budget: finally, choose a model according to your budget. The cheapest models are monoblock and portable ones, while reversible splits are among the most expensive.