Most people consider the air conditioning unit to be an essential part of the home. In fact, it’s found to be one of the most common electrical appliances you can find in any US home.
There are different types of air conditioners available on the market today and deciding which one would be suitable for your home may seem stressful. It’s crucial to make the right choice since your home’s energy consumption and overall comfort are dependent on your new AC unit.
Here are a few of the most common AC units you can find in homes, along with their characteristics to help you make an informed choice about your next AC unit. You can also look for an AC expert to perform AC conditioning repair in Miami.
Central Air Conditioner
This type of air conditioning is ideal for large homes and if you want to cool multiple rooms at the same time. A central AC unit uses the ducted system, where a split system regulates the air in your home through ducts.
The split aspect of the units signifies two main units being combined. The condenser and the compressor are found in the outdoor unit, while the air handler and evaporator coils are found in the indoor unit.
Just like any AC unit, this type of conditioning unit removes heat from the indoor air using a refrigerant. It pulls the heat outdoors and pushes in the cool air through the ducts.
One of the benefits of having a central air conditioning system is that it’s able to cool multiple rooms that have been connected to the ducts at the same time and in minimum time. Humidity is also reduced in your home, making your house even more comfortable.
However, it does consume a lot of energy and may lose its effectiveness and efficiency if there is a problem in its air ducts.
Ductless Mini-Split
You’ll commonly find this type of AC unit in homes that have gone through an overhaul. They’re similar to the central AC system in that they both have an indoor handling unit and an outdoor compressor.
This type of AC system is perfect for people looking to cool only specific rooms or a specific part of the house. Each unit has a thermostat that lets you adjust the temperature for each room.
A few advantages of the Ductless Mini-Split AC unit are that it can be easily installed anywhere and gives you the option to individually adjust the temperature for each room.
But it is not advisable to be placed in large homes.
Window Air Conditioner
As its name suggests, a window air conditioner is installed in a window or through a decent-sized hole in your wall. It’s perfect if you only want to cool a single room are a small area in your home. You can even cool a small single-story home if you go for a large window air conditioning unit.
This type of AC unit is regarded as the most common type of air conditioner. You can find that almost every home will have them.
A window air conditioner has all of its components enclosed inside, eliminating heat through its outdoor side and pushing cool air into the room through its indoor side. You can find the controls on the unit itself. There are also some cases where they come with remote control.
They’re generally less expensive and less costly to operate. Not to mention, installing them is easy. It also doesn’t take up any floor space in your home and doesn’t take much to maintain.
However, it can make a lot of noise. They may also obscure the view from your window and need to be installed close to an electrical outlet.
Portable Air Conditioner
Portable air conditioners are similar to window AC units in that they also have all their components placed inside. However, unlike the window AC unit, it’s a free-standing unit and allows you to carry it into different rooms. All you would need are a power outlet and close proximity to a window so the air from the unit can be ejected outside using its funnel.
People usually go for portable air conditioners if they only want their space to be cooled temporarily or if it isn’t practical to install a split air AC system or a window unit in their home.
They’re very easy to set up and use, as they do not require permanent installation and can be moved from place to place. It’s also to store it when you don’t need it.
But, just like the Window Air Conditioner, a Portable Air Conditioner also contributes to the noise pollution in your home. It doesn’t cool larger rooms as efficiently and also has to be placed near a window if it comes with a hose.
Smart Air Conditioner
This type of air conditioning unit is a type of mini-split, portable or window air conditioner that is IoT-enabled and comes with its own smartphone app.
It can have various functionalities, depending on its manufacturer. Some functionalities include geofencing, temperature range control, weekly scheduling, and comfy mode among others.
Smart AC units are advantageous because they’re able to provide you with both comfort and convenience. Not to mention, it also helps you save on energy consumption.
Unfortunately, they do cost a lot more than regular AC units. Also, Wi-Fi connectivity is necessary if you want to be able to enjoy all its features.
Hybrid Air Conditioner
A hybrid AC unit combines an electric air-source heat and a gas furnace in order to provide a cost-effective and efficient heating and cooling performance.
This AC system automatically switches between using electricity or burning fossil fuels, depending on the temperature outdoors. You can program at which temperature it’ll make the switch or you can manually switch it yourself.
It’s a great option because it minimizes the cost of your utility bills while still maximizing the comfort of your home. It also helps lower your carbon footprint.
However, the initial setup may be costly, and you might experience a break-even in the long run.
Final Words
When choosing which AC unit to purchase, there are many factors to be put into consideration. These include your budget, the cooling power of the AC, its energy consumption, as well as space requirements, and what kind of maintenance schedule and routine it needs.
At the end of the day, there’s no better rule to follow than just picking what you need.
