Air conditioner reviews: Features explained
Air conditioners: Single vs split units
| Pros and cons of different air conditioning units | ||
|---|---|---|
| type |  Single units |  Split units |
| pros | Cheap, doesn’t need to be permanently installed | More effective at cooling, don’t compromise security by having to leave a window open |
| Cons | Need to vent the hose through a window or a hole in the wall, unit gets hot and radiates heat | Need to be permanently installed and mounted on an outside wall, more expensive |
What to look for
Some air conditioning units can be very noisy
Sleep or night modes
This reduces noise by running the compressor and fan more slowly.
Timer options
Allow you to set the machine to automatically switch on and off - useful if you want to come home to a cool house or save energy by having the unit switch off once you’ve fallen asleep. Pick a model with a clock and 24-hour setting. Some come with only countdown or delay timers; these need to be reset daily.
Remote control
Lets you adjust settings without moving from your seat, but are easy to lose. Look for a machine with a dock to store the remote if you are prone to gremlins hiding your things.