The bigger the better, right? Actually no. It would be a smart move to chat with a professional air conditioning technician beforehand to establish the correct sizing of your desired units.

An indoor unit that is too big for the space it is heating or cooling will simply be an inefficient waste of money and energy. Too small, and your poor unit will have to work overtime to perform its minimum requirements and will likely wear out faster too.

There are exact measurements (an AC guide) that can be applied to ascertaining the correct sized aircon for the rooms in your home.

The energy efficiency factor is no longer a nice-to-have. Rather, it is an essential element of life in South Africa in terms of day-to-day costs, as well as being a critical part of reducing global energy usage.

It’s no secret that air conditioners are responsible for over 10 percent of the planet’s electricity consumption.

But, is it feasible to reduce our energy bill while still staying comfortable?

Actually, it is.

Toshiba has been acutely focused on going green, with the result that the air handling units produced by this reputable company are remarkably energy efficient.

For example, the Daiseikai (RAS-N3_KVP) series is among the top class in Toshiba’s residential air conditioner segment. Of the benefits listed, these points should be highlighted;

“Exceptionally high efficiency in cooling and heating to guarantee the lowest energy cost.

“New POWER SELECT on the remote gives the freedom to control power consumption. This helps prevent black outs and allows the availability of more power for other appliances.”

Further, in terms of environmental responsibility, Toshiba has this to say,

“Cutting-edge ideas are at the heart of everything we do, and always applied with the aim of preserving the planet. Now, more than ever, attitudes are changing as technology continues to revolutionize our world. That’s why the new generation of Toshiba air conditioners uses the refrigerant R32. Its global warming potential (GWP) is three times lower than that of the R410A, the perfect compromise between energy efficiency and respect for the environment.” (Source)

Choosing a residential air conditioning unit from Toshiba means it’s an energy-efficient choice. Job done.

It goes without saying that we want to keep our family healthy. Can a home aircon system really help with this?

The secret of fresh, clean air lies deep within the heart of the unit; namely within the air conditioning filter. With the ability to trap harmful microparticles, including some viruses, you are guaranteed purified air for yourself and your loved ones, no matter what’s happening outside.

It’s interesting to note that some people have pointed the finger at air conditioners when it comes to hayfever and asthma. The idea behind this is that the aircons are merely circulating stale air around the home or office and making things worse for sufferers.

Are they really to blame?

They certainly can be… if they are not maintained properly. Your home air conditioner – like any other appliance – needs to be regularly maintained and cleaned in order to get the best out of it.

We may be stating the obvious, but it really is that important to keep your filters clean. If the aircon isn’t filtering your air, then your lungs are!

Toshiba has taken the importance of clean air to the next level.

“The Suzumi range from AHI Toshiba comes with an in-built system which automatically dries out the coils when the unit is shut off, thus preventing mould from growing inside the unit. An excellent benefit for clean air and a healthy family!”

Back in the world where air conditioner technology was new, (and standards were significantly lower) the thought of running your aircon through the night was an unpleasant one. Why?

They were just so noisy! It would have been impossible to get a good night’s rest with the constant buzz of your cooler.

Thankfully tech has once again stepped up to the plate and we are grateful to welcome in an era of quiet climate control.

The Toshiba hybrid inverter range, for example, is well-known as a super-quiet cooling system.

“The enhanced DC Twin-Rotary Compressor delivers stable performance with minimum friction. It’s ideal for noise-sensitive applications as the sound of the outdoor unit is almost imperceptible.”

For those of us with families – especially with very young children – this is a welcome addition to the list of benefits Toshiba air conditioners come with.

It may leave us feeling more than a little spoilt when we take a closer look at smart aircons.

Smart aircons? Surely, they heat and cool a room – what more can we ask of them to grant them ‘smart’ status?

Consider what the Daiseikai (RAS-N3_KVP) series offers in terms of smart functionality:

• One-touch personal comfort to enable users to program their preferred settings.
• DC Hybrid Inverter technology with PAM and PWM.
• Automatic self-cleaning operation.
• Auto-diagnosis system.

We have all seen the way the internet has changed our modern lives, and this is no less true when considering smart tech in home air conditioners.

While not available in South Africa, the Toshiba 8,000 BTU 115-Volt Smart Wi-Fi Window Air Conditioner offers some pretty exciting innovations which we hope to enjoy in the very near future.

“The Toshiba Smart 8,000 BTU/h window air conditioner has the power to cool up to 350 square feet with a sleek design, a unique touch control interface and a compact remote control.

“Smart functionalities include a smartphone app to control your AC through Wi-Fi from anywhere, at home or through the cloud, or even using the Amazon Alexa voice assistant with the Toshiba AC Skill. The unit fits most windows with the easy to use installation panel kit for quick setup and offers 4 speeds for cooling, ventilation or dehumidification, including a fully automatic mode and 4-way air direction control.

“To save energy, the air conditioner is ENERGY STAR certified® and offers an ECO mode, while other intelligent features such as the 24-hour Timer, Sleep mode and the Filter Clean warning help you to personalize your comfort. Cool, dehumidify or ventilate the space you need and get peace of mind with a 1-year warranty by Toshiba.”

A CNN article on the global cooling prize makes an interesting point.

“The first home air conditioner was brought to market in 1926 by Willis Carrier, who’s long since dead,” said RMI’s managing director, Iain Campbell, in a phone interview. “If we brought him back to life and showed him today’s air conditioning product, not only would he know what it is, he could tell you how it works.”

While air conditioners may be over 100-years old, they are taking on the wonders of modern tech to make our lives cooler, more comfortable and a whole lot simpler.