Picking the Right Air Conditioner Unit For House
If your air conditioner is at the end of its life cycle or if your energy bills are soaring, it could be time to invest in a new AC system. How do you pick the right one?
Air conditioners are sized by the amount of BTUs they can remove from the air each hour. This is the first thing you need to consider.
Window units
Installing window air conditioners into an existing home without ducts is straightforward. The unit plugs into an electrical outlet, and then fits into the window frame or wall opening. It is typically capable of cooling only one room, and offers a variety of temperature and fan settings. It also includes a drain line that redirects any excess water to the drip pan or directly outside the home. To ensure a good heat transfer it is essential that the evaporator in your window AC be clean. The evaporator coil will remain clean if you regularly wash and clean the air filter.
Window units use between 500 and 1,400 watts to cool your home. This is lower than central air cooling systems, which can use up to 3,500 watts.
Another benefit of a window air conditioner is the ease to move from room to another as needed. This is especially beneficial in homes with limited storage space. These units are simple to operate and don’t require professional installation or maintenance. However, they tend to wear out quickly and could be costly to replace. They aren’t as efficient as a ductless unit, and you’ll need to pay for HVAC maintenance in Gainesville.
The next kind of air conditioner is a wall mounted unit. These are also easy to install and can be moved from room to room as needed. They are more energy efficient than window units and are also slightly quieter. They are not a good fit for every home. They may not work with all wall materials, and you’ll need ensure that the walls can withstand the weight of the unit.
Think about an Mitsubishi mini split if you’re looking to find an air conditioner that is more energy efficient. They’re not just more efficient than traditional ductless units, but can also be used as heating units during the winter. This will allow you get the most from your air conditioning system in Florida, and reduce your heating costs.
Wall units
Consider installing a wall unit if you require a more durable cooling option than a window air conditioning system. These units are similar to central AC systems but are more energy efficient because they only can cool one room at a time. These units are equipped with internal thermometers that shut off the unit once the room reaches the temperature that is desired. This can help save energy. These models are less intrusive than central air systems because they do not require ducts or vents to be installed in your home.
If you are looking for a through the wall unit, make sure it has a BTU rating that is appropriate for the space you have. BTU is an abbreviation for British Thermal Unit. It is the amount of energy that the unit uses to cool a room. Abt offers a variety of energy STAR rated products that will save you money on your energy bills.
These units are ideal for smaller homes, where ductwork can be either too expensive or difficult to install. These units are ideal for rooms that only require to be cooled occasionally and are not frequently used. This is a great option for offices that are only used by the owner and isn’t required to be kept cool constantly.
A wall-mounted air conditioner can be extremely economical in these instances, but it does have its drawbacks. The most significant disadvantage is that it does not effectively cool the entire home efficiently. The air is distributed in a circular pattern, beginning with the room closest to the unit and working outwards. This leads to a much less uniform temperature across the entire house than can be achieved with central AC system.
A wall air conditioner should be maintained in order to function at its best. A unit that is properly maintained will last for up to 10 years. You can prolong the life of your air conditioning unit by making sure it is maintained regularly before summer arrives. A professional can examine the unit, replace the air filter and clean the evaporator coils and examine the refrigerant levels.
Split systems
There are many types of HVAC systems that can be set up in homes such as split system units. These systems split the HVAC unit into indoor units and outdoor units. This differs from packaged units and window AC units that contain the entire HVAC unit in one package. The indoor and outdoor units can be connected via refrigerant pipes and control wiring.
This type of system is ideal to cool large areas of the home. The indoor air handlers can be wall-mounted in rooms with no ceiling space. The indoor air handlers draw air from the room and cool the air before returning it to the room. The refrigerant inside the air handlers transforms into a gas that cools the evaporator and the room.
A popular alternative to central split systems is the mini-split ductless, that does not require the use of ductwork. This system lets you connect multiple air handlers to your home which allows you to control each room’s temperature individually. It is ideal for new additions to your home or in homes that cannot accommodate ductwork, as it can save on the cost of energy and contractors.
Due to their high efficiency, ductless mini-splits have become more popular. This is due to the fact that they can eliminate air leaks that can lead to higher energy consumption. These systems can be linked up with a smart thermometer, allowing you to set and maintain a set temperature throughout your home.
A ducted system can be paired with gas heaters. This allows you to warm your home during the winter months and cool it down in summer, which can reduce the overall energy cost.
The main disadvantage to a ducted system is the costs associated with installation and maintenance. In addition to the initial cost, ductwork can become damaged over time, resulting in costly repairs. The ducts could also become blocked, which can lead to an improvement in performance. Additionally, a ducted system will require more maintenance than a split system. It is recommended to consult an expert installer if you are considering a split system.
Mini-splits
Mini splits consist of an outdoor compressor unit and an indoor air handling unit. They are connected via refrigerant lines. The unit pumps cool air into your home, and the Evaporator coil heats it up to warm the space. The heated air is returned to the outdoor unit, from where the heat energy is released into the surrounding environment.
Mini-splits make use of electricity to pump heated indoor air, which is not the case with window and through-the wall units that rely on fossil fuels. They also consume less energy than traditional central HVAC systems and that’s why they can help cut your monthly utility costs. Furthermore, many models come with high SEER ratings that exceed the federal standards. Gree’s mini-splits range for instance, has SEER ratings up to 25.
While most homeowners install ductless AC as a backup cooling system, these flexible HVAC solutions are also capable of heating spaces in winter. A professional can recommend a model that is properly designed for your home and integrates into your existing ductwork.
The number of indoor handlers determines how much heat-generating capacity of the system. This can differ between multi-zone and single-zone systems. Each indoor air handler is equipped with a blower, an evaporator, and an air-filter that can be set to warm or cool air. With the use of a remote control, you can alter the temperature.
These systems are air-tight and can be placed on areas that aren’t adequately cool by a central HVAC system or areas that have little ducting, like attics or basements. A mini split system that is zoned can also conserve energy since it doesn’t require sending conditioned ac to rooms that aren’t being used.
In addition to providing better climate control A mini-split ductless system can help improve the quality of air in your home by removing contaminants that could be accumulating in the ducts of your home. These systems are also environmentally green and quiet as they don’t emit odors or burn fossil fuels. If they are properly maintained they require very little maintenance. Indoor units can last up to 20 years before they have to be replaced, but it is crucial to check for dirt and debris regularly.