Air conditioning has become a necessary fixture for modern living. It’s part and parcel of our everyday life. The cooling effect of an air conditioner does more than just provide comfort, it also prevents heat strokes and even death during the hot summer months. However, what many people don’t realize is that there are different types of air conditioners commonly used in homes and offices across the world.
The right type of air conditioner for your home or office is not the easiest choice to make. The wide range of prices and choices can be disconcerting. How can you find what is best? Use this simple guide when selecting an air conditioner for your home. Here’s how to choose the right type of air conditioner for your home or office space.
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Choosing the Right Air Conditioner
Air conditioning systems come in all shapes and sizes. Some are fairly simple, while others require a professional installation. And what’s best for one household may not be right for another — it all depends on the amount of space that needs cooling.
To choose the right type of air conditioner, you need to identify two key factors:
- How much cooling capacity do you need?
- How much noise are you OK with?
- What type of installation is available for the room (are you able to make structural changes to walls/windows)?
Once you know those, you can narrow your choices down to three broad categories of systems: central air conditioners, ductless mini split systems, and window air conditioners.
Window Air Conditioners
Window air conditioners are convenient, but they aren’t always the best choice for your home. Window units offer easy installation and an affordable price point, but window air conditioners are energy hogs. Although you can save on energy bills by turning your thermostat back a few degrees, you’ll still wind up spending more for your window unit than you would on a central air conditioner.
Window units also don’t cool your entire home evenly. If you have multiple rooms or a home on an upper floor, keeping everything comfortable can take a while.
Finally, window air conditioners often don’t work as well or last as long as central air conditioners. Window units aren’t designed to withstand the outdoor temperature extremes that central units withstand, and window air conditioners can suffer frequent mechanical failures.
Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioners
A ductless mini split is a type of air conditioning system that uses refrigerant instead of ducts to distribute cool air throughout your home. Instead of forcing air through ducts, ductless mini splits use vents called “mini splits” to channel the cool air. Each mini split has its own internal heat pump, which evaporates refrigerant that cools the air before distributing it throughout the house.
Ductless mini split air conditioners come in two varieties: “ductless” and “mini splits.” Mini splits are a type of ductless mini split that uses a wall-mounted controller and remote control to adjust the temperature in different rooms. Ductless mini splits, on the other hand, connect directly to your home’s electrical system and don’t have an external controller.
When choosing a ductless mini split air conditioner, consider the size and layout of your home. Do you want the air conditioner to cool just one room at a time, or do you want it to cool several rooms? Do you have enough space for a wall-mounted mini split, or do you need something you can mount discreetly on an interior wall?
You should also consider other costs, such as installation, maintenance, and repairs. Mini splits are relatively easy to install, but you need to hire someone to do it. If you have existing ducts, you may need to do some work before installing a mini split. Maintenance is typically low, but mini splits do require occasional cleaning.
The cost of repairs is also low, but it’s important to get an annual maintenance check to ensure that your HVAC system is operating efficiently, which will save you money in the long run.
Central Air Conditioners
Central air conditioners are the most commonly used type of air conditioner in homes today. They’re similar in concept to central air systems in commercial buildings, they have an outdoor compressor/condenser and at least one indoor evaporator coil.
There are many advantages to central air conditioners, and many people prefer them because of the zoning features they offer.
Most central air conditioners range from 1.5 to 5.0 tons. Larger units can cool more than one room. Smaller units are typically used in individual rooms.
A central air conditioner consists of two parts: an outdoor condenser (the compressor and fan) and an indoor unit. The condenser is connected by refrigerant lines to the evaporator coil, which cools the air in the home. An indoor unit contains the compressor, fan, evaporator coil, and thermostat.
Because central air conditioners are permanent fixtures, it’s important to choose the right size. The size you choose, however, depends on the size of the room you intend to cool.
Do You Need an Air Conditioner?
If you don’t already have an air conditioner installed in your home or office, now is your chance to invest in one! HVACPA is a renowned air conditioner supplier with various locations around Australia, which makes getting your new air conditioner that much easier! HVACPA supply a wide range of air conditioner types and brands, as well as replacement parts and accessories. Purchase online to simplify the process and collect from an HVACPA branch near you today.
