Picking the Right Air Conditioner Unit For House
If your air conditioner is nearing the end of its cycle or if your energy bills are high, it may be time to get an entirely new AC system. But how do you choose the right one?
The size of an air conditioner is determined by the number of BTUs it can remove per hour from the air. This is the first thing to look at.
Window units
Installing window air conditioners in an existing home without ducts is easy. The unit simply fits into a window frame or opening in a wall, and plugs into an electrical outlet. The unit is usually capable of cooling only one room, and has various temperature and fan settings. It also has a drainage line which directs any excess water to a drip pan, or outside. It is essential to ensure that the evaporator unit in your window AC is clean in order to obtain good heat transfer. The evaporator coil will stay clean by regularly washing and clean the air filter.
Window units consume between 500-1400 watts of electricity when it is cooling your home. This is a lot smaller than central air systems which require upwards of 3,500 watts to run.
Another benefit of window air conditioner is that it is easy to move from room to room as needed. This is especially useful in homes with little storage space. These units are simple to use and don’t require professional installation or maintenance. They wear out fast and can be expensive to replace. They are also not as efficient as a ductless system, and you’ll need to pay for HVAC maintenance in Gainesville.
The next type of air conditioning unit is a wall-mounted unit. They are also simple to install and move from room to another when required. They are more energy efficient than window units and are slightly quieter. However, they will not suit every house. They might not be compatible with all wall materials and you’ll need make sure that the walls can support the weight of the unit.
If you are seeking a more energy-efficient air conditioning unit, consider a Mitsubishi mini-split. They are not only more efficient than traditional ductless systems, but they can also be used as heating units in winter. This allows you to maximize the efficiency of your air conditioning in Florida and reduce your heating bills as well.
Wall units
If you are seeking a longer-lasting solution to cooling rooms than an air conditioner for windows, consider installing a wall unit. These units are similar to central AC systems however they are more energy efficient since they only cool one room at a time. They are equipped with internal thermometers that shut off the unit once the room is at a certain temperature, which helps to save energy. They are also less intrusive than central air systems since they don’t require the addition of vents or ducts in your home’s walls.
When looking for a through-the-wall unit, make sure it has a BTU rating that is suitable for your space. BTU stands for British Thermal Unit and it is a measure of how much energy your unit uses to cool your space. Abt provides a wide range of energy STAR certified products that can help you save money on your energy costs.
These units are ideal for smaller homes where ductwork might cost a lot or be difficult to install. These units are ideal for rooms that only require to be cooled periodically and are not frequently used. This is a great choice for an office that’s only used by the owner and isn’t required to be cooled constantly.
It does not come without flaws. The main drawback is that it can’t provide a cooling effect to the entire home. The air is distributed in a circular fashion, beginning with the closest room to the unit and working outwards. This causes a less uniform temperature in the home than a central AC system.
A wall-mounted air conditioner must also be maintained to perform at its peak. A properly maintained unit can last for a decade or more. You can help extend the lifespan of your air conditioning unit by making sure it is maintained regularly prior to the arrival of summer. A professional can check the unit and replace the air filter. They can also clean the evaporator coil and check the refrigerant level.
Split systems
There are a few different types of HVAC systems that can be set up within homes such as split system units. These systems separate the HVAC unit into indoor units and outdoor units. This differs from window units and packaged units. AC units, which contain the entire HVAC unit in one package. The outdoor and indoor units can be connected using refrigerant pipes and control wiring.
This system is perfect to cool large areas of your home. The indoor air handlers can be wall-mounted in rooms with no ceiling space. The indoor air handlers remove air from the room and cool it before returning it back to the room. The refrigerant contained in the air handlers is transformed from a liquid into a gas that cools the evaporator as well as the room.
An alternative to central split systems is the ductless mini-split, which does not require ductwork. This system allows the connection of multiple air handlers in your home and control the temperature of each room individually. It is perfect for new additions to the home or in homes that cannot accommodate ductwork, since it will save you money on the cost of energy and also on contractor fees.
Mini-splits that are ductless have increased in popularity due to their efficiency and ductless design, which prevents air leaks that can increase the cost of energy. These systems can be hooked with a thermometer that is smart, allowing you to set and maintain a set temperature throughout your home.
Another advantage of a ducted system is the ability to connect it to gas furnaces. This allows you to cool your home during summer and heat it in the winter, which reduces the energy cost.
The main disadvantage of a ducted system is the cost for installation and required maintenance. The ductwork may become damaged over the years, leading to expensive repairs. The ducts could also become blocked, resulting in a reduction in performance. In addition, a ducted system requires more maintenance than a split system. It is recommended to speak with a professional installer if you are considering a split system.
Mini-splits
Mini splits are comprised of an outdoor compressor unit as well as an indoor air handling unit. The units are linked by refrigerant pipes. The unit pumps cool indoor air into your home. The evaporator coil heats the air to warm the room. The heated air is pulled back into the outdoor unit, where the thermal energy is released into the environment.
Mini-splits utilize electricity to circulate heated indoor air, which is not the case with window and through-the wall units that use fossil fuels. They use less energy than centralized HVAC systems and can therefore aid in reducing your utility costs. Many models also have SEER ratings higher than federal requirements. Gree’s line of mini-splits for instance, have SEER ratings of up to 25.
These multi-functional HVAC systems can also be used to warm spaces in the winter. A professional can help you choose the ideal model for your home that can integrate with the existing ductwork.
The number of indoor air handlers within the system determines its heating capacity, and this can be different between single-zone and multi-zone systems. Each of the indoor air handlers comes with an air blower as well as an evaporator coil and an air filter which can be set to warm or cool air. You can alter the temperature by using an electronic remote control.
These systems are air-tight and can be placed on areas that aren’t adequately cooled by a central HVAC system or areas that have only a few ducts, such as basements or attics. A zoned mini-split system can help save energy since it does not need to send chilled air to rooms that aren’t in use.
A mini split ductless system is not just more efficient in controlling the temperature inside your home, but it can also improve the air quality inside by removing contaminants that may be trapped within your ducts. Furthermore, these systems do not produce strange smells or rely on fossil fuels for power and are therefore eco-friendly and quiet. If they are properly maintained, these systems require little maintenance. Indoor units can last for up to 20 years. However it is essential to check them regularly for dirt and debris.