What kind of air conditioner do i need

Air conditioners have been cooling homes for decades, but only recently have they become significantly more efficient. There are a few energy-saving features that are important to look for:.

If you have anything more than a window or portable unit, your air conditioning unit will likely be a big investment. Protecting it is a critical part of maintaining your unit for years to come.

The best way to protect your unit is to follow three critical steps:. For help with any of these areas, find a local HVAC contractor in your area. Our contractors specialize in helping you make the best decision for your home and family, while protecting your investment and providing you with a comfortable space all year long. Leave A Comment Cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Central Air Conditioners A central air conditioner combines the evaporator, condenser, and compressor in a single unit that is placed on a roof or a concrete slab near the foundation.

Window Units These are the most common types of AC units for single rooms. Portable Units This is similar to a window system, but it can be moved from room to room. Hybrid Air Conditioner Hybrid type of AC unit systems alternate between burning fossil fuels and using electricity to save money and energy while running your system.

Geothermal Heating and Cooling As a newer method of heating and cooling, geothermal technology is able to extract the heat from below the ground and transfer it into your home. Warranties: Good HVAC manufacturers stand behind their products and most systems are designed to last for 20 years or longer. Energy Saving Features Air conditioners have been cooling homes for decades, but only recently have they become significantly more efficient.

There are a few energy-saving features that are important to look for: Variable speed motors: This feature maximizes the efficiency of airflow because they are able to operate at multiple different speeds depending on the needs of your system at any given time. Thermal expansion valves: When more cooling is required, the valve increases the flow of refrigerant. When less cooling is required, the valve restricts the flow of refrigerant. This allows your air conditioner to minimize energy consumption while still keeping your home comfortable.

Two-stage cooling: Some air conditioners that have compressors with two different cooling outputs high and low. This way, on milder days, the low setting is used and allows your air conditioner to consume less energy. Protect Your Unit If you have anything more than a window or portable unit, your air conditioning unit will likely be a big investment. The best way to protect your unit is to follow three critical steps: Buy the best unit for your space Have it professionally installed Give your system the regular maintenance it needs to perform at its best.

A conduit traveling through a sealed hole in the wall links the two units together. Some ductless AC models achieve the highest efficiency ratings of any type of air conditioning system. The main advantage of mini-splits is their ability to provide flexible cooling to individual parts of your home, all while maintaining a small size and energy efficient operation. Plus, since mini-splits are a type of heat pump, they can also provide home heating in the winter.

As an added bonus, ductless mini-splits operate as quietly as an ordinary fan. Since the compressor is located outside, these units are much quieter than a window or portable home air conditioner. Plus, with no need to access the window during installation, mini-splits provide better home security, an unobstructed view of the outside, and the ability to operate the window whenever you want.

Keep in mind that ductless mini-splits are more expensive than window or portable units. You also need a professional to perform the installation, which includes drilling a three-inch hole in the wall to link indoor and outdoor components. You also need to take interior design considerations into account since the unit mounts to the wall or ceiling of the room you want to heat or cool.

This option is the most comprehensive way to cool your home. It involves distributing cooled air through ductwork with return and supply registers in each room. All air conditioning components are located outside, except for the air handler, which is usually shared with the furnace. Central air conditioning is the most efficient way to keep your whole house cool. You can expect lower energy bills alongside better indoor comfort, cooler temperatures and lower humidity.

With all air conditioning components located outside, you can keep cool with a virtually invisible, silent system. Still, since it becomes a permanent fixture in your home, it is an investment that adds value to it. Central air conditioning systems for homes require annual maintenance to remain in top working condition for years to come. If you are purchasing a central air conditioner, you should only need one. Central air conditioning units are meant to cool an entire house.

It can directly play into every cost associated with running air conditioning in your home, from initial installation cost to the cost of purchase. It can also be related to the durability of the unit, depending on how well you match your unit size to the needs of your home.

Plus, utilities can vary depending on the size of the AC unit selected. The larger the air conditioner, the more it will cost. Installation cost is something to be considered when purchasing your unit. The primary difference is between central air and wall air conditioners.

Freestanding and window units may not require professional installation, but the option for professional help is there if you need it. If you opt to DIY installation of a freestanding or window unit you can save on installation costs but run the risks of incorrectly installing it yourself which can lead to future problems with cooling your home. The easiest units to self-install are individual room units.

Freestanding ones only need to be plugged in. Window units may require a bit more effort in order to properly mount them in the window. There are a number of permits required and necessary specialized knowledge a professional will already be equipped to handle.

A professional HVAC technician will also already be certified. Durability is primarily affected if you purchase an air conditioner that is too large.

This process is called short cycling and affects the lifespan of the air conditioner due to the unit constanting starting up and shutting off. The larger the air conditioning unit, the higher the cost of your utilities. However, purchasing the incorrect size will also result in much higher utility costs. Any money saved in purchasing the smaller unit will be eaten up with the increased utility bills. If you want to cool the entire house, a central air conditioner may be more cost-effective than one air conditioner per room.