Is global warming an issue of growing concern to you?
As a responsible consumer, you too can play a role to contain it - by choosing energy-efficient electrical appliances.
To assist consumers, the Consumer Council has published a test report on 15 split-type air conditioners with claimed cooling capacity of 2.3 kW to 2.93 kW (suitable for a bedroom or a small living room).
With the exception of one model, all turned out to be less than what they claimed in capacity by 0.8% to 7%. The one exception was able to deliver 3.1% more cooling.
In terms of annual running cost of electricity, the samples varied from an estimated $1,156 to $1,726, a rather significant difference of 33% or savings of $570 in one single year.
Under standard environment, only 80% of the energy consumption of the air conditioners is used to cool down the air in the room, the rest of the energy to dehumidify the air. As it is very hot and humid in summer here, an even lower percentage of the energy may be spent to cool the air.
It is less effective to use an air conditioner than a dehumidifier to dehumidify because air conditioner consumes more power. So it is not advisable nor economical to use an air conditioner for dehumidifying purpose.
As far as safety is concerned, all models were in compliance with the requirements (IEC 60335-2-40) in respect of insulation resistance and earth continuity. Further they all passed the enclosure sweat and condensate disposal tests.
Split-type air conditioners are generally less noisy but more pricey. Installation is an important factor to take into account.
The price quoted by a retailer may or may not include the basic installation fee which could run from $800 to $1,800, depending on the pricing of the company and the complexity of the job.
If it is inclusive of installation, you should still find out to what extent the installation will cover. It may exclude certain aspects of work or installation items.
If possible, obtain an accurate quotation based on an onsite pre-installation inspection of the location. Usually this is free of charge.
Chain or department stores are more likely to quote the price inclusive of basic installation.
Users should find out the agent's maintenance scheme annual subscription fee after the expiry of the normal guarantee period. Such fees could be as high as 40% of the purchase price of the unit, additional surcharge for outlying islands may also apply.
Some more tips for energy saving:
- Do not set too low a temperature.
- Close the windows but leave a gap for fresh air, and use curtains to block direct sunlight into the room.
- Clean the air filters regularly to ensure best operation.
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