Picking the Right Air Conditioner Unit For House
If your air conditioner is at the end of its life cycle or if your energy costs are high, it may be time to get an entirely new AC system. But how do you choose the right one?
Air conditioners are sized by how many BTUs they can remove from the air each hour. This is the first thing to take a look at.
Window units
Installing window air conditioners into the home with no ducts is simple. The unit plugs into an electrical outlet and fits into the window frame or openings in the wall. The unit is able to cool one room and usually has several temperatures and fan settings. The unit also has a drainage line which will direct any excess water to a drip pan or to the outside. It is important to ensure that the evaporator unit in your window AC is clean in order to ensure proper heat transfer. Regular cleaning and washing of the air filter will help keep the evaporator coil spotless.
Window units use between 500 to 1,400 watts to cool your home. This is a lot less than central air units that require more than 3,500 watts to operate.
Another benefit of window air conditioner is that it is easy to move from room to room when needed. This is especially beneficial in homes with limited 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. You will also need to pay for HVAC maintenance in Gainesville. They are not as energy efficient as a ductless system.
The next kind of air conditioner is a wall-mounted unit. They are also easy to install and move from room to room as necessary. They are also quieter and more energy efficient than window units. However, they will not suit every house. They may not work with all wall materials and you’ll need ensure that the walls are able to support the weight of the unit.
You should consider a Mitsubishi mini split if you’re in search of an air conditioner that is more efficient in energy use. They are not just more efficient than conventional ductless units, but they can also be used as heating units in winter. This will let you get the most out of your air cooling in Florida and save money on your heating bills too.
Wall units
If you’re looking for a more permanent solution to cooling rooms than window air conditioners think about installing a wall unit. These units are similar to central AC systems, but they are more energy efficient because they only can cool one room at a given time. These units have internal thermometers that shut off the unit once the room has reached the temperature that is desired. This saves energy. They are also less intrusive than central air systems because they don’t require the installation of ducts or vents into the walls of your home.
When looking for a wall-mounted unit, choose one that has a BTU rating that is appropriate for the space you have. BTU is an acronym for British Thermal Unit. It is the amount of energy that the unit uses to cool an area. Abt provides a wide range of ENERGY STAR approved products that will help you save money on your energy costs.
These units are great for smaller homes where ductwork might be expensive or impractical to set up. They are also a great choice for rooms that are only used only occasionally and don’t need to be cooled regularly. This is a great option for an office that is only occupied by the owner, and isn’t required to be cooled constantly.
A wall-mounted air conditioner is extremely cost-effective in these circumstances however, it does have its drawbacks. The biggest drawback is that it does not allow the whole house to be cooled effectively. The cool air is dispersed in a circular fashion from the unit, cooling the space closest to it first, and then moving outwards. This results in a less uniform temperature throughout the house than a central AC system.
In addition, a wall-mounted air conditioning unit must be maintained in order to function at its peak. A well-maintained unit can last for 10 years or more. You can extend the lifespan of your air conditioning unit by scheduling regular maintenance for it before summer arrives. A professional can inspect the unit and replace the air filter. They can also clean the evaporator coil and test the refrigerant level.
Split systems
Split system units are one of the various kinds of HVAC systems that are that are available for home installation. These systems divide the HVAC system into outdoor units and indoor units. This is different from packaged units and window AC units, which contain the entire HVAC unit in a single package. The indoor and outdoor units are connected via refrigerant pipes and control wiring.
This system is ideal to cool large areas of the home. The indoor air handlers are able to be installed on walls in rooms that have no ceiling space. The indoor air handlers draw in air from the room via an evaporator coil that cools the air before returning it to the room. The refrigerant in the air handlers changes form from a liquid to a gas which cools the evaporator and the room.
An alternative to central split systems is the ductless mini-split which doesn’t require the use of ductwork. This system allows you to connect multiple air handlers to your home and allows you to regulate the temperature of each room separately. It is ideal for new additions to homes or in homes that cannot accommodate ductwork, since it will save you money on energy bills and contractor costs.
Ductless mini-split systems have increased in popularity due to their efficiency and ductless design, which eliminates air leaks that can increase energy costs. 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 be paired with gas furnaces. This lets you warm your home during the winter and cool it in the summer, reducing overall energy costs.
The biggest drawback of a ducted system is the expense for installation and maintenance required. The ductwork can become damaged over the years, leading to expensive repairs. The ducts can also be blocked, leading to lower performance. A ducted system will require more maintenance than split systems. It is recommended to speak with an expert installer if you are considering a split system.
Mini-splits
Mini splits consist of an outdoor compressor unit as well as an indoor air handling unit. The units are connected by refrigerant lines. The unit pumps cooled indoor air into your home. The evaporator coil heats the air to warm the room. The heated air is drawn back into the outdoor unit, where thermal energy is released into the environment.
Unlike window and through-the-wall units, which rely on fossil fuels and pollute the environment, mini-split systems use electrical power to pump controlled air. They also consume less energy than traditional centralized HVAC systems which is why they can cut your monthly utility costs. Many models also have SEER ratings higher than the federal standards. Gree’s mini-splits come with SEER ratings as high as 25.
While most homeowners install ductless AC as a supplemental cooling system, these versatile HVAC systems can also be used to heat spaces in winter. A professional can suggest the right model sized for your home and integrates into your existing ductwork.
The number of indoor handlers determines the heat-generating capacity of the system. This can vary between multi-zone and single-zone systems. Each of the indoor air handlers includes an air blower, an evaporator coil, and an air filter which can be adjusted to cool or warm air. You can switch the temperature by using the remote control.
Because they’re ductless these systems can be placed inside rooms that are not adequately cooled with a central HVAC system or for rooms that have limited ducting, such as attics and basements. A mini-split that is zoned could help save energy since it doesn’t have to distribute the conditioned air to rooms which aren’t in use.
In addition to providing better air quality, a ductless mini-split system can also improve the quality of air in your home by removing any contaminants that could be accumulating in the ducts of your home. Additionally, these systems don’t emit unpleasant smells or depend on fossil fuels to operate, so they are environmentally friendly and quiet. These systems require minimal maintenance if properly maintained. Indoor units can last up to 20 years before they have to be replaced, although it is important to be sure to check for dirt and other debris on a regular basis.
