A Buyers Guide to the Different Types of Air Conditioners

Photo by Michu Đăng Quang

Originally Posted On: https://www.coldaircentral.com/blogs/resources/a-buyers-guide-to-the-different-types-of-air-conditioners

In 2016, there were approximately 1.6 billion air conditioners worldwide. By 2050, that number will skyrocket to a staggering 5.6 billion units.

The need for air-conditioning has been growing steadily, with many US households looking for newer, more efficient AC units for their homes. A reliable air conditioner is a valuable investment, especially if you live in the hotter regions of the country. Without an AC to cool your home, the sweltering heat of the summer can make your home inhabitable.

Today, there are numerous types of air conditioners in the market meant to meet the diverse needs of American homeowners. If you’ve never shopped for an AC before, deciding which AC solution for your home can be baffling.

In this guide, we provide all the information you need about the different AC options in the market. We hope that by the time you’re through reading, you’ll be in a better position to make an informed choice.

Let’s delve right into it.

Window air conditioners are some of the most popular AC solutions in the world. As the name suggests, window ACs are mounted in the windows of a building.

These units have an exhaust system to push hot air out through their sides and back. There’s a refrigerant cooling system that points indoors and blows cool air into your living space.

A window AC unit can cool one particular room only. If you live in a large house, you’ll probably need to install more than one unit.

The good news is that these ACs are inexpensive. Besides, you can move the unit from room to room as needed, so you don’t need to worry if you don’t have one for every room in your home.

The main drawback with window ACs is that they block access to natural light and fresh air from the windows you install them in.

Central air conditioning is perfect for people with large homes who want to cool different rooms at once. This type of AC circulates cool air through air ducts.

Supply ducts in the HVAC system carry cool air into your living space. When your indoor air becomes warm, it goes back into the ducts that transport it back into your AC for cooling before it is blown back into your home again.

Central AC system installation requires considerable preparation and planning. In particular, you need to get the sizing right for the system to function efficiently. Installing an AC that’s the wrong size can lead to high utility costs, even when the system itself is energy-efficient.

The cost of purchasing a central AC unit can be high compared to other AC solutions. All HVAC equipment for central air conditioning also requires professional AC installation and maintenance. However, their efficiency in keeping your entire home cool and comfortable makes them worth the investment.

A portable AC is similar to a window AC in that it contains all the important components needed for air conditioning within the unit. Portable ACs are common in situations where the design of the house or the regulations of the building’s owner prevents window AC installation.

A portable AC works by cooling air using a condenser coil inside the unit. Warm air is then sent outdoors through an exhaust hose.

Portable air conditioners are relatively light. Some come with wheels. These features make them easy to move between rooms.

A common complaint among homeowners who use portable AC units is that they can be noisy. Also, these units aren’t effective in cooling large rooms.

Split AC systems cool different areas within your home. Unlike portable and window ACs, split AC units aren’t self-contained.

A split AC system comprises two parts, an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The outdoor unit contains the condenser unit, while the evaporative or compact blower units are installed indoors in strategic areas. Split system AC is perfect for homes that do not contain comprehensive ductwork systems.

One of the major benefits of split system ACs is their ability to cool different spaces within your home at different temperatures. That’s because each compact has its own thermostat. However, this feature means that you may have to pay more for a split system AC than you would for a central AC system.

Just like a hybrid car, a hybrid heat pump system uses electricity and fossil fuels alternately to run. The system is designed to intelligently choose which of the two energy sources it’ll use for optimal efficiency. This way, you don’t need to worry about rising energy prices.

A hybrid heat pump system works both during the summer and the winter. When temperatures are high, the system will pill heat from your indoor space and carry it outside. Come winter, the system pulls heat from the outdoors and distributes it throughout your home.

The main challenge with hybrid AC systems is that they cost more than their counterparts. Also, when the temperatures outside fall below freezing point, the system can struggle to extract enough heat to keep your indoors comfortable.

Now that we’ve seen some of the top AC options available in the market today, it’s time to look at some of the factors to look at when choosing an AC. These factors apply to different AC brands.

One of the first things you’ll want to look at is the cost of the AC system. Often, homeowners make the mistake of going for the least expensive AC solutions they can find. Generally, pricier AC units tend to have better quality and have a longer lifespan.

You also want to consider the size of the unit in relation to your cooling needs. AC units of the right size can supply cool air throughout your living space without spending too much energy. Think of other factors like the warranty, durability, and so on.

An air conditioning system for your home can make a huge difference when it comes to keeping your indoors cool in the summer. With the many types of air conditioners on offer today, getting an AC solution that fits your needs should never be a problem.

Are you interested in reliable AC solutions in your area? Please contact us today.