Adding an air conditioner to your home can instantly make it a more comfortable space. Not only can they help you sleep better at night by keeping you cool, but they can also keep you more comfortable during the day, boosting productivity and generally making your home a better place to be. But the right home air conditioner is different for every homeowner, and that’s what we’re going to talk about today.
Depending on a number of things, including the size of your home, where you live, your budget, there are certain types of home air conditioners that will be better suited to you than others.
Types of Home Air Conditioners
So, before we get into the pros and cons of the different AC unit options for your home, let’s start with a breakdown of the seven primary types of home air conditioners.
Central Air Conditioner
Central air conditioners cool your home from a central location. Then, with the help of fans and ductwork, cool air is distributed to different rooms in your home.
Ductless Mini-Split
Rather than cooling your home from a central location, a ductless mini-split air conditioner is meant to cool a certain room or zone of your home. They don’t require ducts to cool the air, making them ideal for bonus rooms or renovated spaces in your home.
Portable Air Conditioner
Portable air conditioners can come in very handy if you don’t have the time or resources to have a full home air conditioning system installed. With the ability to move these units from room to room, you can condition the air in the space you’re in, rather than your entire home. Each time you move a portable A/C unit, you’ll also need to move and re-mount the window kit, so keep in mind, it isn’t as straightforward as carrying it from room to room.
Floor Mounted Air Conditioner
Although their name suggests otherwise, these air conditioners aren’t actually mounted on the floor. Instead, they’re mounted on the wall, just above the floor.
Smart Air Conditioner
Did you know you can choose a home air conditioner you control with your phone? A smart air conditioner is a convenient option for many homeowners. Not only do they not need to get up and walk to the thermostat to control it, but they can also control it from anywhere, even if they’re miles away.
Geothermal Air Conditioning System
These air conditioners rely on the heat and electricity of the temperate and electricity of the earth to heat or cool your home. It involves having pipes put in the ground below and around your home.
Because this type of air conditioning is quite different than the traditional AC units you might be familiar with, it’s worth explaining in more detail.
Here’s a great explanation from The Refrigeration School about the science behind geothermal air conditioning:
“Geothermal HVAC systems use the same science of refrigeration that other HVAC/R equipment relies on. Under the Second Law of Thermodynamics, heat naturally travels from hot or warm locations to cold ones. In a geothermal HVAC system, an electrically powered heat pump cycles fluid, usually water or refrigerant, through long loops of underground pipes. It is through this process that heat is transferred from ambient air in the building to the ground and vice versa.
During the winter, the heat pump sends fluid through the pipes where the warmer rock, soil, or water underground increases the temperature of the fluid. The warm fluid is then pumped back to the building. A heat exchanger can then transfer the heat from the fluid to the building’s heating system to warm the air. A desuperheater can be used to increase the temperature of water for use in the building. The process is then repeated, with the cooler fluid being pumped back into the ground to be warmed and then returned to the building for heating.
In the summer, the same process occurs, but this time the fluid absorbs heat in the air and disperses it into the ground. The cycle works to continually remove heat from the air in the building, thereby cooling it.”
Hybrid / Dual Fuel Air Conditioner
A hybrid or dual fuel air conditioner works alongside your furnace. When it’s hot out, the electric heat pump provides excellent air conditioning to your home. As it cools off, the furnace takes over and the heat pump turns off.
Advantage & Disadvantage of Each Type
Now that we’ve covered the basics of the primary types of home air conditioners, let’s talk more about the pros and cons of each kind.
Central Air Conditioner
One of the greatest advantages of central AC is that it simultaneously cools every room connected to the duct system. This creates a cooler and better regulated environment around the house in less time than other options. It also helps reduce humidity throughout your house which is a particularly big bonus for those who live in humid climates.
One of the significant disadvantages of central AC is that it means higher energy bills for many homeowners. If you have problems with your ducts, they also become less efficient and effective so they may also require more maintenance than other options.
Ductless Mini-Split
The biggest draw for many homeowners who choose a ductless mini-split home air conditioner is their energy efficiency. They do not require ductwork, so they use less energy to operate.
On the other hand, the initial cost, the required maintenance, and the appearance may be a downside for some homeowners.
Portable Air Conditioner
Many homeowners love how fast and easy it is to set up a portable air conditioner. But just because it’s portable, doesn’t mean it can instantly be moved from room to room. It will still need to be set up again each time it’s moved. Another disadvantage for some owners? These units tend to be noisier and less efficient than central AC or other home air conditioners.
Floor Mounted Air Conditioner
These make for a convenient and flexible option for many homeowners. Floor mounted units can be moved much in the same way that portable air conditioners can. They can also serve as dehumidifiers because of their built in washable filtration system. As for the downsides, these units can also be noisier and obstructive depending on their placement.
Smart Air Conditioner
Smart home air conditioners get to know you and your habits over time. This ultimately makes them more energy efficient, helping you save on utility bills at the same time. It’s also a big advantage being able to control your A/C unit from anywhere at any time. Because this is a newer air conditioning technology, the downside for some homeowners is the initial cost.
Geothermal Air Conditioning System
These air conditioning systems pose major advantages in the form of their energy efficiency and the heating and cooling savings they ultimately provide. This environmentally-friendly option also works in most climates. However there are a few reasons it’s not the right choice for every homeowner.
Geothermal A/C systems require a much larger upfront installation cost (but this is often earned back on utility savings and increased home value). They may also require landscape alterations during the installation process.
4 Important Things to Remember When Choosing a Home Air Conditioner
The pros and cons we just covered are important, but there are also a few other factors to keep in mind when you choose a home air conditioner.
Budget
Budget is, of course, an important consideration for any decision you make in your home. Whether it’s an air conditioner or a new couch, it needs to be something you can afford. Keep in mind, there are plenty of affordable home air conditioner options. Many HVAC companies, including AC Care, also offer financing options to make air conditioning more accessible to more people.
Energy Consumption
When it comes to energy consumption, this is an important consideration for a few reasons. First of all, whenever possible, choosing an environmentally friendly option is the way to go. In addition to benefiting the environment, it also benefits you by having to spend less on your energy bills each month. Talk about a win-win!
Space Requirements & Maintenance
Is your home air conditioner going to take up more time on maintenance or more room in your home than you’d like? This is something else you need to ask yourself before setting your heart on a particular unit. Your air conditioner will need to be big enough to provide sufficient cooling in any given space. But there are usually still a few different options to choose from. We can also help you make sure you choose a model with maintenance requirements that suit your lifestyle.
Cooling Power
Depending on the climate where you live, you might require more heating power than in other locations. For example, if you live somewhere with a climate that’s relatively mild most of the year with the exception of a few really hot days, a central A/C unit might not be necessary. But if you live in a hot and humid environment like Florida, you will want a system with a stronger cooling power.
Trust A/C Care for Your Home Air Conditioner Installation, Repair, and Maintenance
As you can see, there are so many air conditioning options to choose from. The right system will make all the difference in keeping your home comfortable no matter the weather.
Let this summer be your coolest and most comfortable yet! A/C Care is here to help with the installation, repair, and maintenance of your home air conditioner. Whether you need to repair or replace your current unit or you’re starting from scratch, we’re here to help. AC Care Heat & Air is The Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches’ top choice for AC installations. We also offer emergency cooling repairs, AC maintenance, and even heating installation services!
Call us today to learn more.