Tips for finding a high quality, cheap air conditioner in Adelaide | Kitchener ON

Air conditioners can be an expensive purchase at the best of times. Not everyone is in the position to go out and purchase the latest and greatest air conditioning unit. However, keeping you and your family cool in the sweltering Adelaide summer should be a priority.

There are many options when it comes to high quality, but cheaper air conditioning units. So in an effort to review the opportunities for cooling your home or office space, we’ve detailed some key factors.

How to find the best air conditioning for your home, office or space

Depending on the size of the space you are looking to cool, differently sized units will be more effective. They’ll obviously be differently priced from a purchasing perspective, too. The general rules for the effective cooling for your spaces are:

• 2.6kw range – 25sq meters (Bedroom, study, small office)
• 3.5kw range – 25 to 30sq meters (Bedroom with ensuite, small lounge)
• 5-6kw range – 35 – 60sq meters (Large bedroom, mid-size lounge)
• 7-8kq range – 60 – 80sq meters (Large lounges, open plan living areas, small shops)

Anything bigger than this will require multiple, multi-head or ducted air conditioning systems to be most effective. The pricing for the above ranges depending on the kW output, the features offered, and of course, the brand name attached.

It is important to ensure you find the right size system for your needs. Without the right system, you might wind up paying too much for your running costs.

An additional consideration is the amount of external space available for placing an outdoor unit. If you are living in a house with access to all roof cavities and a backyard, then your options are aplenty. But if you live in an apartment with a small external wall and balcony, your choice may be limited.

Air Conditioner buying tip: Are you renting or do you own the property?

As a property owner, you have the ultimate decision on installation. You may need to put holes in walls and affix units to internal and external fittings. However, if you are renting, you may find yourself limited in your choice of air conditioning unit.

That being said, portable and window units are often more cost effective from a purchasing point of view. These portable units can be simply removed with little to no physical changes to the property required – keeping your landlords happy!

Are you looking to heat and cool?

Reverse cycle options are extremely versatile. For the extreme heat and cold that can be experienced in Adelaide, there are many cheap reverse cycle systems available. Although some may have limited kW output, they will provide all year round solutions.

It’s important to decide if you are looking for an air conditioning unit that has reverse cycle functionality as the prices will vary.

Should I buy a well known brand or a cheap air conditioner unit?

To brand or not to brand…that is the question! There are a lot of reputable brands out there. Be it on our supermarket shelves, our cars, even our air conditioning units. Similar to the ‘private label’ or ‘home brand’ options in our supermarkets, the generic brands offer you a product that will do a ‘similar job’ to what you are looking for.

However, if you are looking at a cheaper alternative, the generic brands may be a way for you to enter into the market. There are several key things to remember to look for if you are going to purchase a cheaper generic brand.

Things to consider when buying a cheap air conditioner unit:

1. Warranty: Ensure you look at how long your warranty and guarantee is for the product, as it needs to be fit for purpose. It may be worth investing a little more to extend this with your retailer or installation company if you can. Some electrical stores offer extended warranties for products, which can help to cover any shortfall.
2. Features: Does the unit have all the features that you need such as timers, reverse cycle, temperature controls and remote access? Ensuring you have the features you need in your air conditioning system is essential. There is no point in having a system that doesn’t meet your needs.
3. Efficiency: Is the system energy efficient when it’s running? The cost may be lower on some cheaper systems but it’s important to ensure you check the hourly running cost of the systems. Any savings you potentially made in the lower purchase price may be eroded through the increased running cost of the systems.

Buying a cheap air conditioner – Pay now or pay later?

Although there are so many options for cheaper air conditioning units, there is another way.

With the relentless heat (and cold) of the Adelaide seasons, you and your family can get the solution you need, rather than a solution that ‘will do’, by utilising the flexi payment options.

Using a system that effectively allows you to install now and pay later will enable you to get a system you need and pay over a series of instalments. These options allow you to arrange weekly, fortnightly or monthly flexible payments. You can look outside the cheaper options of air conditioning and purchase the unit with all the features, advantages and benefits you and your family need.

With easy pre-approval processes to avoid disappointment, these are exceptional options in getting the right air conditioning unit.

Pros and cons for cheap air conditioner units

While there are many good options for finding a cheaper air conditioning unit for your Adelaide home or office, there are pros and cons for each solution. Expert advice can often be the best course of action.

Experts such as Jim’s Heating and Cooling can guide you towards a solution that meets not only your heating/cooling requirements but also your budget. The key is to ensure you understand how much you can afford, what you are looking to achieve and if you are prepared to have a generic brand in your home.

With all this in mind, there are still options such as the flexi payment, which can open up the available systems and brands that may fulfil your needs.

Air conditioning is something that will provide comfort for you and your family all year round. So speak to an expert to find out what is best for you so you can climate control your property and enjoy the benefits of a comfortable, air conditioned property year round.

For more information prices and benefits of installing an air conditioning system in your Adelaide property speak with a qualified and experienced air conditioning specialist from Jim’s Heating & Cooling today to discuss the best options.