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Did you know that improper air conditioner placement can reduce its efficiency by up to 30%?
According to different research, strategic positioning of your air conditioner is just as important as its size and type when it comes to optimal performance.
In the living room—often the most used space in a home—where you place your AC unit can make the difference between consistent comfort and frustrating hot spots.
Whether you’re installing a split system or a ducted unit, understanding the science of airflow, heat sources, and room layout is key to maximizing both comfort and energy savings.
So, what really is the best position for an air conditioner in your living room?
Let’s break it down.
This article provides a step-by-step guide on choosing the best location for living room air conditioners to improve both efficiency and durability.
Ideal Height for Maximum Efficiency
The positioning height of wall-mounted air conditioners leads directly to smooth air distribution patterns.
Ben Air Conditioning states that the most effective position of wall units should be between 2 and 2.5 metres off the ground for proper cooling operations. Installation at a taller height enables the air to fall downwards and reach all areas of the room.
Ceiling-mounted air conditioners should be positioned in the centre of rooms because this placement helps cool down all areas equally.
It is important to position air conditioners correctly because this approach stops the freezing air from becoming trapped, resulting in enhanced comfort consistency.
Away From Direct Sunlight and Heat Sources
Strategic positioning of your air conditioning units requires that they remain safely located outside the path of heating sunlight and heat-producing sources.
The combined effect of strong sunlight creates two damaging impacts: reduced performance and a shortened overall lifespan of your air conditioner.
Living room areas receiving intense sunlight should use window treatments—either through curtains or blinds—to help block the rays, while shaded spots represent another excellent alternative.
Placing your air conditioner in areas free from heat-based appliances, including televisions and ovens, helps prevent added stress on the system.
The placement of your AC is critical in prolonging its efficiency and minimising the wear caused by external heat sources.
Where Air Can Circulate Freely
The operation of air conditioners demands complete and continuous airflow. Air circulation remains unimpeded when you install your unit away from furniture, walls, and corners of the room.
Blocked airflow makes the air conditioner work harder to maintain temperature, consuming more energy and potentially resulting in uneven cooling.
To achieve maximum efficiency, you should select an air conditioner position where natural air patterns can distribute cool air throughout the entire room.
Centralised Position for Uniform Cooling
The best location in the living room for an air conditioner would be the centre to create even air circulation across the room.
An ideal position in symmetrical spaces with defined layouts can be easily located from any point in the room. Rooms with irregular shapes need additional thought to determine where the central area lies.
Optimal positioning places the air conditioner to deliver airflow through every area of the space without any barriers that block the current. Putting the unit in the middle of the room decreases the formation of hot spots and delivers steady cooling performance.
A Position That Prioritises Accessibility for Maintenance
The proper maintenance of your air conditioner should always be a top priority, despite often being neglected.
Your air conditioning system will operate smoothly when you select a positioning that offers convenient access for maintenance and cleaning duties.
Allocate enough surrounding area to the unit to manage filter maintenance, along with cleaning operations and service tasks.
If you install an air conditioner in a limited space blocked by bulky furniture, maintenance tasks become more difficult and expensive to complete.
Your selection of an accessible location will decrease both service costs and increase the lifespan of your system.
Smart Placement for Maximum Comfort and Savings
Deciding where to mount your living room air conditioner requires a thoughtful approach to get both comfort and cost-effective operation.
The right positioning of your air conditioning equipment will improve air movement and lower mechanical strain, resulting in peak performance.
The living room layout, combined with Australian climatic conditions, determines where to install your air conditioner properly.
Adopting this methodology will generate a cooler indoor environment while also helping to reduce your power expenses.
