Choosing an air conditioner: everything you need to know

Laura19 MAY 2026

Content

Which air conditioner suits your space?
How much does an air conditioner cost?
Which air conditioner is the best?
Tips to keep your home cool
Why choose a mobile air conditioner?
Maintaining your air conditioner: what to look out for?
The differences between an air conditioner and a fan
Air conditioner and air cooler: what are the differences?

A white air conditioner is mounted on a white brick wall over a white couch. A remote is being held up. A potted plant is visible.

With an air conditioner, you keep the temperature in your home pleasant and set the coolness in the room yourself. There are different types of air conditioners, depending on the room you want to cool and the features you find useful, such as dehumidifying or control via a smartphone app. Discover what to look for when choosing an air conditioner so that you’ll enjoy a comfortable temperature in your home, even on hot days.

Which air conditioner suits your space?

Living room with a grey sofa, wooden tables, and a white air conditioner being moved. Yellow wallpaper in the background.

When choosing an air conditioner, it’s best to take the cooling capacity, noise level, energy consumption, and controls into account. The larger the room you want to cool, the more powerful the air conditioner needs to be to keep the indoor climate comfortable. The noise level of the air conditioner also plays an important role, especially if you use it at night in a bedroom. Additionally, energy consumption varies from model to model. The energy label provides more insight into this. The controls also vary by unit. Usually, you operate an air conditioner via buttons on the unit or with a remote control. Some models also feature control via an app on your smartphone.

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How much does an air conditioner cost?

A hand holds several 200 Euro banknotes, which are yellow and green. The background is blurred, showing a white t-shirt and blue jeans.

The price of an air conditioner depends on various factors, such as cooling capacity, energy consumption, noise level, and operation. For example, models with a higher cooling capacity are suitable for larger rooms, while extra features such as dehumidifying, heating, or app control make use more convenient. Which air conditioner suits you best depends on the room you want to cool, the features you find useful, and your budget.

Which air conditioner is the best?

Close-up of a white air purifier with a digital display showing "026." The device has ventilation holes at the bottom and top.

Which air conditioner suits you best depends on the room you want to cool and the features you find important. Do you want more than just cooling? Some air conditioners also feature functions such as heating or dehumidifying. For larger rooms, a more powerful cooling capacity is important, while a quiet model is more pleasant in your bedroom or at your desk. Do you also want to keep the air in your home clean? Then an air purifier with a cooling function is worth considering.

Tips to keep your home cool

A white air conditioner is mounted on a gray wall, above a black desk with a laptop and a lamp.

An air conditioner expels warm air to the outside via an exhaust hose. Therefore, it’s best to place the unit close to a door, window, or opening in the wall. Do you want to use your air conditioner in multiple rooms? Then a mobile air conditioner is convenient, because you can easily move the unit. Don’t place an air conditioner right next to a heat source such as a radiator and avoid direct sunlight. The extra heat forces the unit to work harder to keep the room cool.

Why choose a mobile air conditioner?

A hand holds a remote control aimed at a white De'Longhi air conditioner with a digital display in a bright room.

A portable air conditioner doesn’t require a permanent installation and is easy to move between different rooms. Thanks to its compact form and wheels, you can use the unit in the living room during the day and in the bedroom in the evening, for example. Some models also feature a timer, so the air conditioner switches itself off automatically while you sleep. The warm air is vented outside via an exhaust hose through a window, door, or opening in the wall. Moisture extracted from the air automatically ends up in the water reservoir.

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Maintaining your air conditioner: what to look out for?

An air conditioner unit is mounted on a white wall. A person in a blue shirt is working on the unit, which has an open front panel.

Some air conditioners feature a handy cleaning function that allows the unit to clean itself. You can usually activate this function easily via the remote control or the control panel on the unit. Does your air conditioner have this function? Then use it a few times a year to limit dust buildup inside the unit and keep it operating optimally.

It’s also best to clean the air filters regularly. Over time, dust and dirt accumulate in the filters, causing the air conditioner to work less efficiently and spread more dust throughout the house. This can lead to unpleasant odours, headaches, or irritation. People with allergies may be more susceptible to this.

A technician on a ladder repairs a white air conditioning unit with a red screwdriver. Green bushes behind a dark fence.

Clean your air conditioner at least twice per season to ensure the unit works properly. First, remove the cover from the unit and check if there’s dust inside. Is there? Then carefully clean the filters with a vacuum cleaner. In many cases, cleaning the filters is sufficient. For technical maintenance, such as refilling the refrigerant, it’s best to call in a specialist. With insufficient refrigerant, an air conditioner works less efficiently, and it takes longer to cool a room.

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The differences between an air conditioner and a fan

A silver and black stand fan with three blades is on a wood floor against a blue wall.

A fan moves air, making the room feel cooler. An air conditioner, on the other hand, actually lowers the temperature by expelling warm air outside. As a result, an air conditioner usually provides more cooling during hot days.

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Air conditioner and air cooler: what are the differences?

A white air cooler stands near a yellow knitted pouf and a small table with a cup. A patterned rug is on the floor.

An air cooler works similarly to a fan but often looks like a portable air conditioner. The device blows air past a cooling element, making the air feel fresher than with a regular fan. As a result, the temperature in a room can drop slightly. Unlike an air conditioner, you don’t set the temperature yourself with an air cooler. Therefore, during very hot days, an air conditioner usually provides more powerful cooling. On the other hand, an air cooler is often cheaper to purchase than an air conditioner. Additionally, an air cooler can increase the humidity in the room.

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