British Thermal Units (BTU). Appears on the specification of an air conditioner. Measures the amount of heat an AC can remove. Determines the cooling capacity/power of an air conditioner according to the British thermal units per hour (Btu/hr). Multiply the area (length and width) of your room by 10 and add 4,000 to select the ideal BTU that allows your air conditioner to cool your room.
Energy star rating. The Stars on the Energy Rating Label indicates energy efficiency of an AC on a scale of 1 to 5. Having a 5-Star rating suggests that Mitsubishi Electric’s air conditioners save energy, money, and the environment.
Energy-efficiency ratio (EER). Determines the efficiency of an air conditioner by measuring the ratio of cooling output divided by power consumption. Higher EER proves higher efficiency.
Moisture removal. Removes unwanted humidity from the room. Ask an air conditioner technician or expert about the rate of water removal (in litres per hour) to suggest the right AC for your situation. He or she will make sense of the climate, moisture sources, and cooling loads.
Noise control. You don’t want to stay awake all night because the AC in your room is whirring. Pick one with a low noise level, preferably within 50 decibels (dB). Even better, if the AC has a sleep mode. You will enjoy a good night’s sleep, and so will your neighbours.
