Which Air Conditioner Is Best for Your Home?

Home air conditioners come in a variety of sizes and styles, ranging from large whole-home systems to small portable units. All air conditioning systems, regardless of their size or design, use the same working components, which include the evaporator, compressor, condenser, and expansion valve. Today, we’re going to discuss four types of home air conditioning systems and their benefits and drawbacks to help you find the best solution for both your home and budget!

Window Air Conditioners

As the name suggests, window air conditioners are typically installed in windows, although they can also be installed through a hole in an external wall (although this is less common). The window air conditioner, unlike several other home air conditioning systems, has all of its components in a single unit. It releases heat through the condenser coils on the exterior side of the unit and blows cool air through the evaporator coils on the interior side of the unit. When installing this air conditioner in your window, make sure it’s slightly slanted towards the outside since condensed moisture on the evaporator coils will drip to the ground and can end up in your home if it isn’t positioned correctly!Window air conditioners are available in a variety of sizes, allowing you to cool any space, from a bedroom to a small apartment! However, this type of home air conditioning system should not be used in medium to large homes, unless you’re planning on installing several of them. If you’re looking for an affordable and easy-to-install home air conditioner, a window air conditioner could be the right solution for you.

Portable Air Conditioners

A portable air conditioner is another single-unit home air conditioning system, although it somewhat differs from a window air conditioner unit. This unit sits on the floor and removes heat and pushes it out of the window through an exhaust hose. Portable air conditioners can be rather noisy since both the evaporator coils and condenser coils are located inside the unit.Portable air conditioners can cool rooms up to 500 square feet. Many homeowners use them as a temporary solution or when it’s not practical to install a window air conditioner. Since these air conditioners are mobile, they can be moved to any room that requires cooling. Whereas the condensation from window air conditioners drips on the ground, portable air conditioners may contain a reservoir that collects the condensed water and must be emptied on a regular basis.

Ductless Mini-Splits

Ductless mini-splits contain two units: an inside unit that is mounted on the ceiling or wall and handles the cooling and distribution, and an outdoor unit that contains the compressor, condenser, and condenser fan. Ductless mini-splits are often used in hotels, apartments, and houses. Because adding ductwork may be expensive and, in some situations, impossible, this home air conditioning system is a popular HVAC system choice for buildings that lack ductwork. Most ductless units contain a heat pump, which means that they can also provide heating! One of the only disadvantages of purchasing a ductless unit is that they are difficult to remove once installed, making them an impractical choice for renters.

Central Air Conditioning

Central air conditioning is by far the largest and most expensive of the four types of home air conditioning systems covered in this article. However, this is due to the fact that it is used to cool entire homes. Just like in a ductless system, a central air conditioner contains an indoor evaporative unit and an outdoor condensing unit. The outdoor unit typically sits on a cement slat that contains the compressor, condensing coils, and the condensing fan, while the indoor unit generally sits above your furnace. Using the furnace or air handler fan, central air conditioners draw in warm air through your home’s ductwork. The warm air is then blown across the evaporator coil and heat is removed, cooling it down. Central air conditioners are the most effective form of home air conditioning system, but only if the size is appropriate for your home. If you install a central air conditioner that is too small, it will not cool your home adequately. On the other hand, if you purchase one that is too large, it will constantly turn on and off, racking up your utilities significantly. We suggest that you ask a professional HVAC technician to help you find and install the correct size HVAC system in your home. To properly maintain and extend the life of your air conditioner, it is also strongly advised to schedule routine maintenance checks.

Choosing a Home Air Conditioner That Is Right for You

When it comes to choosing the best home air conditioning system, the most important factors to consider are the size of the space that you need to cool, how long you plan to live there, and your budget. For instance, if you want to cool a single room or are renting an apartment, you should either purchase a window unit or portable air conditioner. However, if you own your home and are looking for a whole-house solution, you should consider installing several ductless mini-splits or a central air conditioner. If your budget is limited and you don’t have ductwork in your home, a ductless system may be the best solution for you.