Picking the Right Air Conditioner Unit For House
If your air conditioner is approaching 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 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 to look at.
Window units
Installing window air conditioners in a house without existing ducts is straightforward. 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 temperatures and fan settings. It also has a drainage line which redirects any excess water to a drip pan, or outside. It is essential to ensure that the evaporator coil in your window AC is clean to obtain good heat transfer. Regular cleaning and washing of the air filter will help keep the evaporator coil spotless.
Window units consume between 500 to 1,400 watts to cool your home. This is a lot smaller than central air cooling systems, which can consume up to 3,500 watts.
A window air conditioner has the advantage of being easy to move around from room to room. This is especially beneficial in homes with limited storage space. These units are simple to use and don’t require professional installation or maintenance. However, they do tend to wear out quickly and can be expensive to replace. They aren’t as efficient as a ductless unit, 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 necessary. They are also quieter and more energy efficient than windows. They will not work in every home. They may not work with all wall materials, and you’ll need to ensure that the walls are able to support the weight of the unit.
Think about a Mitsubishi mini split if you’re in search of an air conditioner that is more energy efficient. These are not only more efficient than traditional ductless systems, but they can also be used as heating units in the winter. This will allow you to get the most out of your air conditioning system in Florida and also save money on heating bills.
Wall units
Consider installing an indoor unit if want a more permanent cooling option than an air conditioning unit for windows. These units are similar to central AC systems however they are more energy efficient because they only cool one room at a time. They have internal thermometers which shut off the unit once the room reaches the temperature that is desired. This can help save energy. They are also less invasive than central air systems because they don’t require the installation of ducts or vents into your home’s walls.
When looking for a through the wall unit, make sure you choose one that has the right BTU level to suit your space. BTU is a shorthand for British Thermal Unit and it is an indication of the amount of energy is used by the unit to cool your space. Abt has a variety of energy STAR model that are rated to reduce your energy costs.
These units are perfect for smaller homes, where ductwork can be either too costly or difficult to install. They are also a great option for rooms that are used only occasionally and do not require to be cooled regularly. This is a great choice for an office that’s only used by the owner, and doesn’t require to be cooled constantly.
It does not come without imperfections. The biggest drawback is that it does not cool the entire house efficiently. The cooled air is dispersed in a circular pattern around the unit, cooling the space closest to it first, and then spreading outwards. This results in a less uniform temperature throughout the house than can be achieved using central AC system.
In addition, a wall-mounted air conditioning unit needs to be maintained in order to function at its peak. A well-maintained unit can last for a decade or more. You can extend the lifespan of your air conditioner by scheduling regular maintenance before the heat 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 kinds of HVAC systems that can be set up at home, including split system units. These systems split the HVAC system into outdoor units and indoor units. This differs from packaged units and window AC units that include the entire HVAC unit in a single package. The indoor and outdoor units are connected by refrigerant pipes as well as control wiring.
This type of system is ideal for cooling large areas in the home. The indoor air handlers are mounted on the wall and can be positioned in rooms that have no ceiling space available. The indoor air handlers suck in air from the room and then through an evaporator coil that cools the air before returning it back to the room. The refrigerant contained in the air handlers transforms from a liquid into gas that cools the evaporator as well as the room.
A popular alternative to central split systems is the mini-split ductless, which does not require ductwork. This system lets you connect multiple air handlers to your home and control the temperature of each space separately. This system is perfect for homes that have recently been added to or cannot accommodate ductwork. It can also save you money on the cost of contractors and energy bills.
Ductless mini-split systems have increased in popularity because of their high efficiency and ductless design which eliminates air leaks that can increase energy costs. These systems can be linked with smart thermostats that allow you to set and maintain certain temperatures throughout your home.
Another benefit of a duplex system is the possibility to pair it with a gas furnace. This lets you cool your home during summer and warm it in the winter, which reduces the energy cost.
The primary drawbacks of a ducted system are the costs for installation and maintenance. The ductwork could be damaged over the years, leading to expensive repairs. The ducts can also become blocked, leading to a decrease in performance. A ducted system also requires more maintenance than split systems. If you are thinking about a ducted system, it is recommended to speak with an experienced installer.
Mini-splits
Mini splits have an outside compressor unit and an indoor air-handling unit. The units are connected via refrigerant pipes. The unit pumps cooled air into your home, and the evaporator coil heats it to warm the space. The heated air is transported back to the outdoor unit, where the energy is released into the surrounding environment.
In contrast to window and through-the-wall units, which run on fossil fuels and pollute the environment mini-split systems make use of electricity to circulate conditioned air. They also use less energy than traditional centralized HVAC systems, which is why they can help cut your utility bills. In addition, a lot of models have high SEER ratings that are higher than federal standards. Gree’s line of mini-splits, for example, have SEER ratings that go up to 25.
Although most homeowners use ductless AC as a backup cooling system, these flexible HVAC systems are also capable of heating spaces in winter. A professional can suggest an option that is sized for your home and that can be integrated into existing ductwork.
The number of indoor air handlers in the system determines its heating capacity, and this may vary between single-zone and multi-zone systems. Each indoor air handler comes with an evaporator, a blower and an air-filter which can be set for either warm or cool air. With a remote control, you can adjust the temperature.
These systems are ductless and can be installed on areas that aren’t adequately cool by a central HVAC system or spaces with little ducting, like basements or attics. A mini-split system that is zoned can save energy as well because it doesn’t need to distribute conditioned air to rooms that aren’t being used.
In addition to offering better climate control, a ductless mini-split system can help improve the quality of air in your home by removing any contaminants that could be accumulating in the ducts of your home. These systems are also eco friendly and quiet, as they don’t release unpleasant odors or burn fossil fuels. These systems require minimal maintenance when properly maintained. Indoor units can last for up to 20 years before needing to be replaced, but it is important to examine for dirt and debris regularly.
