Air-conditioners are a must-have in Hong Kong and when one wears out it is tempting to rush out and buy the first model you come across. But mistakes can be made if you purchase in haste.
First, establish the size of unit required to cool the room in question. A small air-conditioner will take a long time to chill a large room; one that is too big will waste energy and run up large electricity bills.
Work out the size of air-conditioner needed by first measuring the area to be cooled. Sophia Lai, category manager at Fortress (customer service tel: 2555 5788;
www.fortress.com.hk), offers the following guidelines: a six-square-metre room will need a 0.75 horsepower unit; 7.4 square metres requires 1hp; a 9.2-square-metre area needs 1.5hp; 13.9 square metres demands 2hp; and 18.5 square metres, 2.5hp. A sales assistant will be able to help with this but bear in mind other factors such as the amount of direct sunlight the room receives and the number of people in the home. For precise results, tell the sales assistant the room's dimensions and the location and size of the windows, the height of the ceiling and wall insulation as well as what the room is used for. Air-conditioners come in two types: window- or wall-fitted units and split systems, where the condenser is located outside the building meaning the air-conditioner is much quieter. Window-mounted machines, usually designed to cool one room, are popular in Hong Kong's small living environments because installation costs are lower. However, the more expensive split systems provide a more even air flow and do not take up window space.
A further consideration is whether you want a reverse-cycle air-conditioner that can provide hot air in winter and cool air in summer. Some air-conditioners, including models by manufacturers Whirlpool and Brandt, incorporate a carbon filter to combat unpleasant odours and kill bacteria.
To keep your electricity bills to a minimum, check the unit's Energy Efficiency Ration (EER). According to the China Light and Power (CLP) website (
www.clpgroup.com), air-conditioners can account for up to 45 per cent of domestic electricity bills. In the site's energy-efficiency tips section, CLP says an air-conditioner with a 'grade one' energy label - the most efficient - can reduce electricity consumption by about 15 per cent. The company also points out that air-conditioners work more efficiently and last longer if sheltered from direct sunlight.
So which brand should you choose? According to Fortress, the most popular air-conditioners in Hong Kong include its own models, which cost from $1,290 to $3,700 depending on the horsepower, and Hitachi's (from $1,900 to $5,000). Other top sellers are Japanese makes National (from $1,700 to $5,000) and Toshiba (from $1,900 to $4,500) and American brand Carrier (from $1,600 to $4,500).