Choosing the Air Conditioner Type Right For Your Unique Home

An air conditioner is an air conditioner, right? If it cools your home during those excessively hot summer days, then it is a good choice. However, every home has different cooling needs, and in order to best cool your home, you need to be able to make the right choice for you when it comes to choosing between air conditioner types. If you are in need of a new air conditioner system, you have a fair bit of choice when it comes to how to cool your home.

Central Air Conditioning

This is the most common type of air conditioning unit because it is typically the preferable choice in large homes. Central air conditioning units circulate air through ducts where cool air is carried into the home and warm air is carried out. While this is the most efficient way to cool a large home, installation requires planning. Furthermore, you need to be diligent in installing the right size central air unit as the wrong size could mean high utility bills no matter how energy efficient it is.

Window Air Conditioner

While not as popular as they once were, window air conditioning units are a decent lower cost alternative to central air, but only if you live in a small space. As they are installed in windows, this compact unit functions by pumping in cooled air and releasing hot air out the back. It also has the added benefit of being easily removed for cooler times when it is not needed. However, the larger your home, the more inefficient the unit becomes.

Ductless, Mini-Split Air Conditioner

Somewhat similar to a window unit, the ductless, mini-split air conditioner is the champion of cooling single rooms. It functions similar to a central air system but doesn't require the same planning and set up. With ductless units, as many as four systems can be installed indoors and fueled by one outdoor unit. What makes these occasionally the preferred option is that each installed unit can have individual temperature control. It can be a good option for families that each have their own space and their own preferred temperature.