Picking the Right Air Conditioner Unit For House
If your air conditioner is approaching the end of its cycle or if your energy costs are soaring, it could be time to get a new AC system. How do you choose the right 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 consider.
Window units
Window air conditioners can be easily installed in homes without ducts. The unit plugs into an electrical outlet and is plugged into the window frame or wall opening. It can cool a room, and typically has a variety of temperature and fan settings. It also has a drain line that directs excess water into a drip pan or directly outside the home. It is crucial to make sure that the evaporator coil in your window AC is in good condition to get the best heat transfer. Regular cleaning and washing of the air filter can help keep the evaporator coil in good condition.
Window units use between 500 to 1,400 watts for cooling your home. This is much less than central air cooling systems, which consume up to 3,500 watts.
Another benefit of window air conditioner is the ease to move from room to room when required. This is especially beneficial in homes that have limited storage space. These units are easy to use and do not require professional installation or maintenance. However, they can wear out quickly and could be expensive to replace. You will also need to pay HVAC maintenance in Gainesville. They aren’t as energy efficient as a ductless unit.
The next kind of air conditioner is a wall-mounted unit. They are also easy to install and move from room to room as needed. They are also quieter and more energy efficient than windows. However, they do not suit every house. You might need to determine whether the wall material you choose to use is compatible.
If you’re seeking a more efficient air conditioning unit, think about a Mitsubishi mini-split. They are not just more efficient than conventional ductless systems, but they can also be used as heating units in winter. This will allow you to make the most of your air conditioning system in Florida and save money on heating bills.
Wall units
If you are seeking a longer-lasting method of cooling rooms than window air conditioners you should consider installing a wall unit. They function like an central AC system but are more efficient in energy usage because they focus on a specific area at one time. They have internal thermometers which shut off the unit once the room has reached the temperature that is desired. This saves energy. These models are less disruptive than central air systems as they do not require ducts or vents to be added in your home.
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 a measure of how much energy the unit consumes to cool your space. 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 is either too costly or difficult to install. These units are perfect for rooms that only need to be cooled periodically and aren’t used frequently. This would be a good choice for an office that’s only used by the owner and isn’t required to be cooled throughout the day.
It does not come without shortcomings. The biggest drawback is that it can’t effectively cool the entire house. The air is distributed in a circular pattern beginning with the closest room to the unit, and then moving to further. This results in a less uniform temperature throughout the home than a central AC system.
Additionally, a wall air conditioning unit needs to be maintained to function at its highest level. A properly maintained unit can 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 inspect the unit and replace the air filter. They can also clean the evaporator coiled and test the refrigerant level.
Split systems
There are several types of HVAC systems that can be set up at home, including split system units. They separate the system into outdoor and indoor units, in contrast to packaged units and window air conditioners that include the entire HVAC unit in one package. The outdoor and indoor units are connected by refrigerant pipe and control wiring.
This system is ideal to cool large areas of the home. The indoor air handlers can be mounted to the wall and can be positioned in rooms that have no ceiling space available. The indoor air handlers draw air out of the room and cool it before returning it to the room. The refrigerant inside the air handlers change from a liquid into a gas which cools the evaporator and the room.
An alternative to central split systems is the ductless mini-split that does not 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 can’t accommodate ductwork because it can help reduce the cost of energy and contractors.
Ductless mini-split systems have increased in popularity due to their high efficiency and ductless design, which eliminates air leaks which can increase energy costs. These systems can be connected with smart thermostats, which allow you to set and maintain specific temperatures throughout your home.
A ducted system is paired with a gas heater. This allows you to cool your home in summer and heat it in the winter, which reduces the cost of energy.
The biggest drawback of a ducted system is the cost associated with the installation and maintenance required. The ductwork could be damaged over the years and cause costly repairs. The ducts could also become blocked, which can lead to an improvement in performance. In addition, a ducted system will require more maintenance than a split system. It is best to consult an expert installer if you are thinking about a split system.
Mini-splits
Mini splits are equipped with an outside compressor unit as well as an indoor air-handling unit. The units are connected via refrigerant pipes. The unit pumps cooled indoor air into your home. The evaporator coil then heats the air to warm up the space. The heated air then gets drawn back into the outdoor unit, where the thermal energy is released to the air.
Unlike window and through-the-wall units, which rely on fossil fuels and pollute the environment mini-split systems utilize electrical power to pump conditioned air. They use less energy than central HVAC systems, and thus help you cut down on your energy bills. Many models also have SEER ratings above the 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 flexible HVAC solutions can also be used to heat spaces in winter. A professional can suggest a model that is properly built for your home and can be integrated into existing ductwork.
The number of indoor air handlers within the system determines its heating capacity, and this can vary between single-zone and multi-zone systems. Each indoor air handler has an evaporator, a fan, and an air-filter that can be set for either warm or cool air. With an electronic remote control, you can alter the temperature.
Because they’re ductless these systems can be placed inside rooms that are not adequately cooled with a central HVAC system or in rooms with limited ducting like attics and basements. A mini split zoned system can also conserve energy, as it doesn’t have to send the conditioned air to rooms that aren’t being utilized.
A ductless mini split system is not just more effective in managing the temperature of your home, but it could also improve the air quality inside by removing any contaminants that might be trapped in your ducts. Additionally, these systems don’t produce strange smells or rely on fossil fuels to operate and are therefore green and quiet. They require little maintenance when properly maintained. Indoor units can last for up to 20 years before they need to be replaced, but it is crucial to examine for dirt and debris regularly.