Picking the Right Air Conditioner Unit For House
If your air conditioner is at the end of its cycle or if your energy bills are high, it may be time to buy an entirely new AC system. What are the best ways to choose the best 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 you should examine.
Window units
Window air conditioning units are easy to install in a home without existing ducts. The unit simply fits into a window frame or opening in a wall, and plugs into a standard electrical outlet. It is typically capable of cooling a single room, and comes with a variety of temperatures and fan settings. It also has a drain line which will drain excess water into a drip pan or outside the home. To ensure a good heat transfer it is essential that the evaporator inside your window AC is clean. Regular washing and cleaning of the air filter will help keep the evaporator coil spotless.
Window units consume between 500 and 1,400 watts to cool your home. This is considerably lower than central air systems that use upwards of 3,500 watts to run.
Another benefit of a window air conditioner is the ease to move from room to room when needed. This is particularly useful in homes with little 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. Additionally, you will need to pay HVAC maintenance in Gainesville. They are not as efficient as a ductless unit.
The next type of air conditioning unit is a wall-mounted unit. They are also easy to install and can be moved from room to another when needed. They are also more quiet and energy efficient than windows. However, they do not fit well into every home. It is possible to determine whether the wall material is compatible with the wall material.
Consider the Mitsubishi mini split if you’re looking to find an air conditioner that is more efficient in energy use. They are not just more energy-efficient than traditional ductless units, but they can also be utilized as heating units during the winter. This allows you to get the most out of your air cooling in Florida and reduce your heating bills too.
Wall units
If you’re looking for a more permanent option to cool the room, rather than using a window air conditioner think about installing an air conditioner on the wall. These units work like an central AC system but are more energy efficient because they only focus on one room at a time. These units have internal thermometers which stop the unit when the room has reached the temperature desired. This can help save energy. They are less intrusive than central air systems, as they do not require ducts or vents to be added to your home.
When shopping for a through-the-wall unit, make sure you choose an option that has the right BTU level to suit your space. BTU is a shorthand for British Thermal Unit and it is a measure of how much energy your unit uses to cool your space. Abt has a variety of energy STAR rated models that will help you save money on your energy costs.
These units are ideal for smaller homes, where ductwork can be either too costly or difficult to install. These units are ideal for rooms that only require to be cooled on occasion and aren’t used frequently. This could be a great choice for an office that’s only used by the owner, and isn’t required to be kept cool constantly.
A wall-mounted air conditioner is very cost effective in these instances, but it does have its drawbacks. The biggest drawback is that it does not effectively cool the entire home effectively. The air is distributed in a circular pattern, starting with the room nearest the unit and moving outwards. This leads to a much less uniform temperature throughout the home as is the case using central AC system.
Additionally, a wall air conditioning unit needs to be maintained to function at its best. A unit that is properly maintained will last for up to 10 years. You can help extend the longevity of your air conditioning unit by scheduling regular maintenance for it before the summer season arrives. A professional can check the unit, replace the air filter and clean the evaporator coils and check the refrigerant levels.
Split systems
Split system units are one of the many kinds of HVAC systems available for installation at home. These systems divide the HVAC unit into outdoor units and indoor units. This differs from window units and packaged units. AC units that contain the entire HVAC unit in one package. The indoor and outdoor units are connected by refrigerant lines and control wiring.
This system is ideal for cooling large areas of the home. The indoor air handlers can be mounted on walls in rooms with no ceiling space. The indoor air handlers draw air out of the room and cool it before returning it to the room. The refrigerant in the air handlers change from a liquid to a gas which cools the evaporator and the room.
A popular alternative to central split systems is the ductless mini-split, which doesn’t require the use of ductwork. This system lets you connect multiple air handlers to your home, allowing you to control each room’s temperature separately. It is ideal for additions to homes or for homes that are unable to accommodate ductwork because it will save you money on the cost of energy and contractors.
Ductless mini-split systems have increased in popularity due to their efficiency and ductless design which prevents air leaks that can increase energy costs. These systems can be paired with smart thermostats, which allow you to set and maintain certain temperatures throughout your home.
A ducted system can be paired with a gas heater. This lets you cool your home in summer and heat it in winter, reducing the energy cost.
The main disadvantage to a ducted system is the expenses for installation and maintenance. In addition to the initial cost, ductwork can become damaged over time, resulting in costly repairs. The ducts may also be blocked, resulting in a reduction in performance. A ducted system requires more maintenance than split systems. It is recommended to consult a professional installer if you are considering a split system.
Mini-splits
Mini splits comprise an outdoor compressor unit as well as an indoor air handling unit. The units are linked by refrigerant pipes. The unit pumps cooled indoor air into your home. The evaporator coil heats the air to warm the space. The heated air is then drawn back to the outdoor unit, where the heat energy is released into the surroundings.
Mini-splits use 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 use less energy than traditional central HVAC systems and that’s why they can help cut your energy costs. Furthermore, many models come with high SEER ratings that exceed federal standards. Gree’s mini-splits range for instance, has SEER ratings of up to 25.
While most homeowners install ductless AC as a cooling supplementary system, these flexible HVAC systems can also be used to heat spaces in winter. A professional can suggest the right model for your home that can integrate with the existing ductwork.
The quantity of indoor air handlers in a system determines its heat-generating capacity, and this may vary between single-zone and multi-zone systems. Each of the indoor air handlers has an air blower as well as an evaporator coil and an air filter, which can be adjusted to cool or warm air. It is possible to alter the temperature by using the remote control.
These systems are non-ductless and can be put in in areas that cannot be adequately cooled by a central HVAC system or in areas with limited ducting, such as basements or attics. A mini-split system that is zoned can conserve energy too because it doesn’t need to deliver chilled air to rooms that aren’t in use.
A ductless mini split system is not just more efficient in managing the temperature of your home, but it could also improve the air quality inside by removing contaminants that may be trapped within the ducts. They are also environmentally safe and quiet, since they don’t release unpleasant odors or use fossil fuels. When properly maintained they require very little maintenance. Indoor units can last for up to 20 years before needing to be replaced, but it is important to examine for dirt and debris on a regular basis.