Picking the Right Air Conditioner Unit For House
If your home’s AC system is coming to the end of its lifespan or your current energy costs are high, you may think about buying a new AC unit. How do you pick the best one?
The size of an air conditioner is determined by the amount of BTUs it can remove per hour from the air. This is the first thing you need to look at.
Window units
Window air conditioning units are easy to install in homes that do not have ducts. The unit plugs into an electrical outlet and fits into the window frame or wall opening. It is typically capable of cooling a single room, and offers several temperature and fan settings. It also has a drainage line which will direct any excess water to a drip pan or to the outside. To ensure a good heat transfer, it is important that the evaporator of your window AC be clean. The evaporator coil will remain clean if you regularly wash and clean the air filter.
A window unit uses about 500 to 1,400 watts of electricity when it is cooling your home. This is much lower than central air conditioning systems, which can use up to 3,500 watts.
A window air conditioner has the advantage of being easy to move from room to room. This is especially useful in homes with limited storage space. These units are easy to operate and don’t require any professional installation or maintenance. However, they can wear out fast and could be expensive to replace. You will also need to pay for HVAC maintenance in Gainesville. They are not as efficient as a ductless unit.
The second type of air conditioner is a wall mounted unit. They are easy to install and can be moved around the room. They are more energy-efficient than windows and are a bit quieter. However, they don’t work in every home. You might need to determine whether the wall material you choose to use is compatible with the wall material.
Consider a Mitsubishi mini split if you’re looking for an air conditioner that is more efficient in energy use. These are not only more efficient than conventional ductless units but they also serve as heating units in winter. This will allow you to get the most out of your air conditioning in Florida and save money on heating bills too.
Wall units
Consider installing an air conditioner on your wall if you want a more permanent cooling solution than windows air conditioning systems. They function as an central AC system but are more efficient in energy usage because they are focused on one area at one time. These units are equipped with internal thermometers which shut off the unit once the room has reached the desired temperature. This saves energy. These models are less disruptive than central air systems, as they do not require vents or ducts to be added to your home.
If you are looking for a through the wall unit, choose one that has a BTU rating that is appropriate for the space you have. BTU stands for British Thermal Unit and it is an indication of the amount of energy your unit uses to cool your space. Abt provides a wide range of ENERGY STAR certified products that can assist you in reducing your energy costs.
These units are ideal for smaller homes where ductwork would cost a lot or be difficult to set up. They are also a great option for rooms that are only used on occasion and do not need to be cooled frequently. A good example of this would be an office that is used only by the owner and does not need to be cooled all the time.
A wall-mounted air conditioner can be very cost effective in these instances however, it does have its drawbacks. The biggest drawback is that it doesn’t allow the whole house to be cooled efficiently. The cooled air is distributed in a circular fashion from the unit, cooling the room closest to it first and then spreading outwards. This leads to a much less uniform temperature across the entire house as is the case using central AC system.
Additionally, a wall air conditioning unit needs to be maintained in order to function at its best. A properly maintained unit will last for a decade or more. You can extend the life of your air conditioning unit by scheduling regular maintenance for it prior to the arrival of summer. A professional can examine the unit and replace the air filter. They can also clean the evaporator coiled and check the refrigerant level.
Split systems
Split system units are one of the various kinds of HVAC systems that are available for home installation. They separate the unit into outdoor and indoor units, unlike packaged units and window air conditioners which include the entire HVAC unit in one package. The indoor and outdoor units can be connected using refrigerant pipes as well as control wiring.
This type of system is ideal to cool large areas of the home. The indoor air handlers can be mounted on walls in rooms with no ceiling space. The indoor air handlers remove air from the room and cool the air before returning it to the room. The refrigerant in the air handlers transforms from a liquid into a gas, which cools the evaporator and the room.
A popular alternative to a central split system is the ductless mini-split, that does not require the use of ductwork. This system allows you to connect multiple air handlers throughout your home and allows you to regulate each room’s temperature separately. This system is perfect for homes that recently been added to or cannot accommodate ductwork. It also can help you save money on the cost of contractors and energy bills.
Mini-splits that are ductless have increased in popularity because of their high efficiency and ductless design which prevents air leaks that can increase the cost of energy. These systems can be connected with a smart thermostat, allowing you to set and maintain certain temperatures throughout your home.
Another benefit of a duplex system is the possibility to be paired with gas furnaces. This lets you cool your home in summer and heat it in winter, thereby reducing energy costs.
The primary drawback of a ducted system is the expense associated with the installation and maintenance required. In addition to the initial expense, ductwork may become damaged over time, resulting in costly repairs. The ducts may also be blocked, leading to a decrease in performance. A ducted system requires more maintenance than split systems. If you are thinking about a ducted system, it’s recommended to speak with an experienced installer.
Mini-splits
Mini splits are equipped with a compressor unit outside and an indoor air-handling unit. The units are connected through refrigerant lines. The unit pumps cooled indoor air into your home. The evaporator coil then heats the air to warm the room. The heated air is pulled back into the outdoor unit, where thermal energy is released to the air.
Unlike window and through-the-wall units, which run on fossil fuels and pollute the environment mini-split systems make use of electrical power to pump controlled air. They also use less energy than traditional central HVAC systems which is why they can cut your utility bills. Many models also have SEER ratings that are higher than federal requirements. Gree’s mini-splits have SEER ratings of up to 25.
While most homeowners install ductless AC as a supplemental cooling system, these versatile HVAC systems are also capable of heating spaces in winter. A professional can suggest an option that is built for your home and is compatible with your existing ductwork.
The number of indoor air handlers within the system determines its heating capacity, and this may vary between single-zone and multi-zone systems. Each of the indoor air handlers has a blower fan, an evaporator coil, and an air filter which can be set to warm or cool air. With the use of a remote control, you can change the temperature.
Since they’re ductless, they can be put in inside rooms that are not adequately cooled using central HVAC systems or in rooms with limited ducting like basements and attics. A zoned mini-split system can save energy as well since it does not need to distribute the conditioned air to rooms which aren’t being used.
In addition to providing better climate control, a ductless mini-split system can help improve the quality of air in your home by removing contaminants that could be accumulating in the ducts of your home. Furthermore, these systems do not emit unpleasant smells or depend on fossil fuels to operate which makes them green and quiet. If they are properly maintained they require very little maintenance. Indoor units can last for up to 20 years before needing to be replaced. However, it is crucial to examine for dirt and debris on a regular basis.
