Buying an aircon online in the 9.9, 10.10 or 11.11 sales? Make these 6 checks before you order, so the unit you get installs and works the way you need

In the 9.9, 10.10 and 11.11 sales, many aircon models are priced below what you would pay in a shop, and I already install units you have bought yourself from any channel. What I want you to watch out for is not buying online, but ordering too quickly and ending up with a unit that does not suit the room, or one that was damaged in transit and is hard to claim for. The six checks below take less than ten minutes before you order.

1. Check the BTU size suits the actual room, not just the lowest price

The most heavily discounted models in a sale are often 9,000 BTU units, which EGAT says suit a normal room of about 12–15 square metres, or 11–14 square metres if the room gets direct sun. Put one in a bigger room and it works hard all the time, costs more to run than it should and has a shorter life. A simple way to work it out is to multiply the room area in square metres by 700 for an ordinary room, or 800 if the room gets direct sun (750 works as a middle value), then choose the nearest unit size above the result. If you are still unsure, send the link to the model you are interested in, with the room size and which way the room faces the sun, on LINE. I will look it over before you order, free of charge.

2. Choose R32 refrigerant, today's standard

Major manufacturers are progressively switching the new aircon models they sell in Thailand to R32 refrigerant, which is the type I recommend, because refrigerant for top-ups and spare parts will be easy to find in the long term. If you come across an unusually cheap model that still uses R22, check the year of manufacture carefully, because it may have sat in stock for several years. For my work, R32 is charged at 25 THB per pound, the same as R22; I do not charge more depending on the type of refrigerant.

3. Read what is in the box before ordering, especially the pipes and brackets

Some units sold online come with short refrigerant pipes, and some do not include a bracket for the outdoor unit or a pipe cover. You do not need to worry about this if I install it, because installation at 3,000 THB per point for 9,000–12,000 BTU and 3,500 THB per point for 13,000–24,000 BTU already includes the bracket, piping up to 4 metres and the pipe cover. If the site needs a longer pipe run than that, I measure it and tell you the extra cost before I start.

4. Check the unit's warranty terms, and register as soon as it arrives

The warranty on an aircon bought online is provided by the manufacturer or the seller, under the terms of the channel you bought it through. Before ordering, read how many years the compressor is covered for, how many years the parts are covered for, and within how many days of delivery you must register. Many brands have you register through the brand's app or LINE account. Keep the receipt and the box until the unit has been installed and has passed its test run.

5. Inspect the box as soon as it arrives, before signing for it if you can

Damage in transit is the main risk of buying an aircon online. As soon as the delivery arrives, check the box on every side and take photos or a video. If you find dents, punctures or crushed corners, record the evidence and report a claim to the seller straight away, because once the unit has been installed it is hard to prove at which stage the damage happened. Leave carrying the unit to where it will be installed to the technician on the day of the appointment.

6. Book installation when you order, without waiting for delivery

Units from a sale round tend to be delivered at around the same time. If you wait for the unit to arrive before looking for a technician, you may have to store it for several days. A better way is to tell me the model and the expected delivery date when you order. I will book a slot to match when it arrives, and if you are installing several points in the same home, tell me how many at the same time and I will arrange to finish them all in one visit.