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Air conditioning: which air conditioner suits you best?

Thijs19 MAY 2026
A living room scene features a portable air conditioner, a sofa, a table with a vase, and a potted plant.

Are you looking for cooling during hot days? Then an air conditioner is right for you. An air con cools down warm air to create a comfortable temperature. You can set that temperature yourself. This way, you’ll no longer be too hot or too cold. We are happy to provide you with more information about air conditioners so that you can find a model that suits your preferences.

Which air con do you need?

Living room setting with a gray couch, patterned yellow pillow, tables, drinks, plants, and a white air conditioning unit.

To determine which air conditioner you need, you must take a number of factors into account: cooling capacity, noise level, energy consumption, and operation. Where do you want to place the air conditioner? The larger the room, the more cooling capacity you need to lower the temperature in a room. It’s also good to consider the noise an air conditioner makes. The quieter an air conditioner, the more pleasant it is, especially at night. Some air conditioners also consume more energy than other cooling systems. The energy label provides more information for each air conditioner. Energy label A is the most energy efficient. Operation is also an important element. Usually, you can operate the air conditioner using the buttons on the device; often, a remote control is included so you don’t have to get up to turn the air conditioner on. Some air conditioners can be controlled with an app, so you only need to keep your smartphone at hand.

How much noise does an air conditioner make?

How much does an air conditioner cost?

Air conditioner prices vary considerably. How much an air conditioner costs depends on a number of factors. These include cooling capacity, energy consumption, noise level, and the control system. Moreover, there are air conditioners that can do more than just cool. For instance, there are air coolers that also dehumidify, heat, and purify the air.

Which air conditioner is the best?

A white, rectangular air purifier with a digital display showing "026" sits against a light wall. The bottom has small holes.

The best air conditioner for you depends on your personal preferences. Would you like extra features, such as heating and dehumidifying? Then it’s best to look for an air con that combines these functions. Do you have a large living room that you want to cool? Then pay particular attention to the cooling capacity. Do you live in a smaller, noisy house? Then also check the noise level so that the people around you aren’t bothered by it. Or perhaps you would prefer a purifier to keep your air clean. A cooling function is a nice bonus in that case.

The best air conditioners

Where should you place an air conditioner?

A white and black air cooler stands in a bedroom. A wooden bed and a nightstand with a plant are in the background.

An air conditioner expels warm air to the outside using a hose. To do this, the air conditioner must be placed near a door, window, or a special opening in the wall. A portable air conditioner is easy to move, so you don’t need a fixed spot for it. Don’t place the air conditioner too close to a heat source, such as a radiator. Also, avoid places where the sun shines on the air conditioner. The extra heat forces the air conditioner to work harder, which consumes more energy.

How does a portable air conditioner work?

A hand holds a smartphone displaying ventilation controls, with a white air purifier visible in the background.

No installation is required for a portable air conditioner. These air conditioners are compact and often have wheels, making them easy to move. During the day, you can cool your living room, and in the evening, you move the unit to the bedroom. If you choose an air conditioner with a timer, you can safely leave it on when you go to sleep. This prevents the air conditioner from running all night, which saves energy. With a portable air conditioner, the hot air is vented outside through a window, door, or opening in the wall using an exhaust hose. Moisture extracted from the air is automatically drained into the water reservoir.

This is how a mobile air conditioner works

Air conditioner maintenance

Some air conditioners are equipped with a handy cleaning function. This allows the device to clean itself. You can usually activate the cleaning function easily using the remote control or the control panel on the unit. If an air conditioner has this function, use it a few times a year.

Colds, headaches, unpleasant odours: these are just 3 consequences of an air conditioner that isn’t checked regularly. Maintaining an air conditioner is of great importance. Therefore, ensure that the air filters are cleaned occasionally. Over time, dust accumulates, causing the air conditioner not only to work less efficiently but also to spread dust. People with allergies can quickly suffer from this.

Clean your air conditioner at least twice per season. You do this by first removing the cover and inspecting the unit. Does it look dusty? Then grab a vacuum cleaner and clean the filters from the outside. In most cases, cleaning the filters is sufficient. For other maintenance matters, it’s better to call in a technician. For example, to refill the gaseous refrigerant. Too little refrigerant can cause your air conditioner not to work optimally.

What is the difference between an air con and a fan?

A metal fan stands on a wood floor against a blue wall. The fan has three blades and a protective wire cage.

The biggest difference between an air conditioner and a fan is that a fan moves air, making it feel cooler. An air conditioner actually changes the temperature by pumping the heat outside and is therefore more effective, especially on hot days. On the other hand, a fan consumes less power than an air conditioner.

The best fans

What is the difference between an air conditioner and an air cooler?

A room featuring a sofa, air conditioner, chair, and a desk with a laptop, lit by a large window.

In terms of operation, an air cooler is more similar to a fan, but in appearance, it looks more like a portable air conditioner. An air cooler blows air past a cooling element. Therefore, the air feels cooler than with a fan. The temperature in the room can even drop by a few degrees, but you can’t set the temperature yourself. You can with an air conditioner. An air conditioner is therefore more effective when it’s very hot. On the other hand, an air cooler is cheaper than an air conditioner and also consumes less power. Additionally, an air cooler increases the humidity in the room.

The best air coolers

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