A/C Recommendation

[globalhopkinations]

Were having some renovations done to a shophouse and the contractor is asking what a/c we would like our options are Samsung, L G, and York

4m x 4m room i think 2 - 2.3M ceilings he suggested 12,000 btu

4m x 6m room ceiling is a little taller in this room this room is also on the top floor, do you think a 12,000 btu would be to little?

Anybody have a opinion recommendation for me, thanks

[bazmlb]

"4m x 4m room i think 2 - 2.3M ceilings he suggested 12,000 btu"

This size room works out to about 12,800 btu, the units usually deliver a little less than they specify, so a 18,000 btu unit would be better as it wont be running on full capacity

"4m x 6m room ceiling is a little taller in this room this room is also on the top floor, do you think a 12,000 btu would be to little?"

This works out to 19,200 btu, so a 24,000 btu would be recommended here as the room is on the top floor and probably get a lot of heat through the ceiling.

LG seem to have very good warranty support.

[katabeachbum]

"4m x 4m room i think 2 - 2.3M ceilings he suggested 12,000 btu"

This size room works out to about 12,800 btu, the units usually deliver a little less than they specify, so a 18,000 btu unit would be better as it wont be running on full capacity

"4m x 6m room ceiling is a little taller in this room this room is also on the top floor, do you think a 12,000 btu would be to little?"

This works out to 19,200 btu, so a 24,000 btu would be recommended here as the room is on the top floor and probably get a lot of heat through the ceiling.

LG seem to have very good warranty support.

seconded on LG

LG was a new name to me 6-7 years ago. Today its my favorite in LOS in high quality inexpensive TVs, washingmachines, fridges, icemakers, aircons

I find 12k btu to work fine up to 20 sqm with 2,6m ceilings, glass area 5x2,2m. above this room size, larger should be used, and top floor needs larger if ceiling not insulated properly

[lopburi3]

Oversize is not what you want with A/C and serves no purpose except to line the pockets of those selling units and keeps you in humid rain forest. Thai seems to desire immediate cold (getting there money's worth I suspect) but believe you would be fine with 9k for the small room and 12-18k for the large (if not a hot box type room under uninsulated or vented roof. If spending the money for inverter models I suspect it might be safer to oversize - but for normal A/C units it is a wast of money in my opinion as unit will be running at full capacity whenever cooling. Much better to spend the money to clean a smaller unit to keep it in top condition than to oversize and waste money on electric and often have high humidity.

[lopburi3]

Having owned an LG can only say never again. Noise of cheap plastic never stopped (and they said as much in manual). Unit computer failed - unit vane motor failed (twice). Outside compressor failed. Starter cap failed (three times). Unit leaked. Noise from compressor was a bane to mooban.

I admit they must have improved (this when they first entered market); but I would not buy one.

[globalhopkinations]

Thanks for the replies,

I had figured the 12,000 fine in the small rooms but wanted to go look and see about a slightly bigger for the other room. We currently have a LG in another shop (takes forever to cool the whole room down but were cooling a 4m x 12m area) and it seems pretty good to me, we don't use to often mostly ceiling fans, I was just curious others thoughts.

Anybody have any experience with York? I've read in a thread somewhere on here that they thought dakine and york being the top 2, but I've not herd of these 2.

Anyways thanks for the opinions :jap:

[lopburi3]

I had a York several decades ago and it worked well (before wall hung units) and lasted 10-15 years before needing replacement. It is a major international brand.

[JimSiam]

Thanks for the replies,

I had figured the 12,000 fine in the small rooms but wanted to go look and see about a slightly bigger for the other room. We currently have a LG in another shop (takes forever to cool the whole room down but were cooling a 4m x 12m area) and it seems pretty good to me, we don't use to often mostly ceiling fans, I was just curious others thoughts.

Anybody have any experience with York? I've read in a thread somewhere on here that they thought dakine and york being the top 2, but I've not herd of these 2.

Anyways thanks for the opinions :jap:

It depends if they have service in your area, yes York is an international brand, but they dont make them here like they do for export, all of the major brands only sell grade 2 units here, the grade 1 units are only for export, they are all pretty much the same inside, Toshiba Carrier, Panasonic, LG - these are what is referred to as tier 1 brands, York, Trane and Central are all tier 2 brands here and their look and quality is reflected in this.

[bankruatsteve]

Just to throw it in... my preference in A/C is Mitsubishi. I have several sizes and very happy with all. AND... I am pretty sure less is better than more when it comes to BTU size.

[Naam]

Oversize is not what you want with A/C and serves no purpose except to line the pockets of those selling units and keeps you in humid rain forest. Thai seems to desire immediate cold (getting there money's worth I suspect) but believe you would be fine with 9k for the small room and 12-18k for the large (if not a hot box type room under uninsulated or vented roof. If spending the money for inverter models I suspect it might be safer to oversize - but for normal A/C units it is a wast of money in my opinion as unit will be running at full capacity whenever cooling. Much better to spend the money to clean a smaller unit to keep it in top condition than to oversize and waste money on electric and often have high humidity.

each and every word wholeheartedly seconded!

[trogers]

...takes forever to cool the whole room down but were cooling a 4m x 12m area

It is not possible to cool a room to your desired temperature when the A/C unit is too undersized, esp when the ambient temp is high (say above 33C), and when a large window is facing west.

I have used conversion factors of as low as 0.6 x 1000 and as high as 0.8 x 1000 to size my A/C for my condo units. Which factor I choose to use depends on amount of heat radiating into the room during the hottest time of the day (around 3pm).

Eg. Bedroom is 24 sqm. Ceiling height is 2.8m. Window is casement type facing north. A/C unit used is 15,000 BTU inverter.

Bedroom is 14 sqm. Ceiling height is 2.3m. Sliding door to balcony facing west. A/C unit used is 12,000 BTU.

[lopburi3]

You are also taking about a high rise condo with virtual glass walls to the sun. A shophouse would not normally be subject to such extreme sun heat. In my own home my 28 square meter bedroom (ground floor under extension roof with insulation and only some afternoon sun on roof and little on single window) was comfortable this past year with 9k Panasonic cooling it except for a couple of hours on perhaps 15 days where turned on the main 18k unit for a bit (as much to keep it usable as for any real need). The only reason I had to do that was 9k unit was getting dirty (and we had a lot of really hot days last year). For most peoples use 9k would seem to be all that would be required. Surly 12k would be more than adequate. But if you read store recommendations the 18k would be a must.

[aussiebebe]

If it helps the OP decide, I have found Samsung products much cheaper to repair than LG during my time here in LOS so far. I'd had to fix two compressors (Samsung and LG), an LG and Samsung washing machine and LG has consistently been more expensive for replacement parts so for the last four years I've only bought Samsung products.

[transam]

Don't go bigger.

For quietness, noooo clicking on and off, cheap to run, in the long run is Daikin Inverter. They don't make TV's or hi-fi's, just reliable aircon.

[trogers]

Don't go bigger.

For quietness, noooo clicking on and off, cheap to run, in the long run is Daikin Inverter. They don't make TV's or hi-fi's, just reliable aircon.

Been using Panasonic inverter units for a couple of months. Seems just as good and quiet for a price that is 25% less. But a negative point is they have no power setting to cool a room fast.

[DMC1]

I've been out today looking to replace an older Mitsubishi 'Mr Slim' in one of my bedrooms (12sqm - 9KBTU ). One shop near me on Pattaya North said to go with the new LG as it cleans the air (18,900 inc installation) and Home Pro said to go with the new Daikin which also cleans the air (18,300inc installation). Both units were 9KBTU and both shops also quoted 17,900 (9KBTU) for a new Mitsubishi 'Mr Slim' including installation. Neither of them recommended Mitsubishi anymore which is what I have in my other rooms. Can't make my mind up now !!!

Daikin came with 5yr warranty and LG/Mitsubishi 3ys warranty

Edited March 1, 2011 by DMC1