Picking the Right Air Conditioner Unit For House
If your home’s air conditioning system is approaching the end of its lifespan or your energy bills are high, you may think about buying an entirely new AC unit. But how do you select the right one?
The size of an air conditioner is determined by the amount of BTUs it is able to remove per hour from the air. This is the first thing to look at.
Window units
Window air conditioning units are easy to install in a home without existing ducts. The unit plugs into an electrical outlet and fits into the window frame or wall opening. It is typically capable of cooling only one room, and comes with various temperatures and fan settings. It also has an drainage line that will direct 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 ensure proper heat transfer. The evaporator coil will remain clean when you regularly wash and clean the air filter.
Window units use between 500 and 1,400 watts to cool your home. This is significantly smaller than central air systems which require more than 3,500 watts to operate.
Another advantage of a window air conditioner is the ease to move from room to another as required. This is particularly useful for homes with limited storage space. These units are easy to operate and don’t require professional installation or maintenance. However, they tend to wear out quickly and could be expensive to replace. They aren’t as efficient as a ductless unit, and you will still need to pay for HVAC maintenance in Gainesville.
The next type of air conditioner is a wall-mounted unit. They are simple to set up and can be moved around the room. They are also more quiet and efficient in energy use than windows. They will not work in every home. They might not be compatible with all wall materials and you will need to ensure that the walls can withstand the weight of the unit.
Consider the Mitsubishi mini split if you’re looking to find an air conditioner that is more energy efficient. They are not only more energy efficient than conventional ductless units but can also be used as heating units in the 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 a wall unit if you want a more permanent cooling solution than a window air conditioning system. They function like a central AC system, but are more efficient as they only focus on one room at a time. They have internal thermometers that stop the unit when the room is at the temperature desired. This saves energy. These models are also less intrusive than central air systems since they don’t require the installation of vents or ducts in your home’s walls.
When you are looking for a through-the-wall unit, make sure you choose one that has the appropriate BTU level that is appropriate for your space. BTU is a shorthand for British Thermal Unit and it is an indicator of how much 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 great for smaller homes where ductwork might be expensive or impractical to set up. They are also a great option for rooms that are only used only occasionally and don’t need to be regularly cooled. This would be a good option for an office that is only used by the owner, and doesn’t need to be kept cool throughout the day.
It does not come without shortcomings. The biggest drawback is that it can’t cool the whole house efficiently. The cooled air is distributed in a circular fashion from the unit, cooling the space closest to it first and then working outwards. This leads to a much less uniform temperature across the entire house as is the case using a central AC system.
Additionally, a wall air conditioner must be maintained to function at its peak. A unit that is properly maintained can last up to 10 years. You can extend the life of your air conditioner by scheduling regular maintenance in the lead-up to summer. A professional can examine the unit and replace the air filter, clean the evaporator coils, and test the refrigerant levels.
Split systems
Split system units are just one of the various kinds of HVAC systems 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 that include the entire HVAC unit in one package. The outdoor and indoor units can be connected via refrigerant pipes as well as control wiring.
This system is perfect to cool large areas of your home. The indoor air handlers are able to be installed on walls in rooms that have no ceiling space. The indoor air handlers pull air from the room and cool it before returning it to the room. The refrigerant contained in the air handlers transforms into gas that cools both the evaporator as well as the room.
A popular alternative to central split systems is the mini-split ductless, which does not require the use of ductwork. This system allows you to connect multiple air handlers throughout your home which allows you to control each room’s temperature separately. It is perfect for new additions to your home or for homes that can’t accommodate ductwork, since it can help reduce the cost of energy and contractors.
Due to their efficiency, ductless mini-splits have become more popular. This is due to the fact that they are able to eliminate air leaks which can increase energy costs. These systems can be linked with smart thermostats, which allow you to set and maintain certain temperatures throughout your home.
A ducted system is coupled with gas heaters. This allows you to warm your home in the winter and cool it down in summer, which can reduce overall energy costs.
The biggest drawback of a ducted system is the expense associated with installation and required maintenance. In addition to the initial cost, ductwork may become damaged over time, leading to costly repairs. The ducts can also become blocked, leading to an improvement in performance. In addition the ducting system requires more maintenance than a split system. If you’re considering a ducted system, it’s recommended to talk to an experienced installer.
Mini-splits
Mini splits include a compressor unit outside and 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 space. The heated air is returned to the outdoor unit, where the heat energy is released into the surroundings.
Mini-splits use electricity to circulate controlled indoor air, in contrast to windows and through-the-wall units that make use of fossil fuels. They also consume less energy than traditional central HVAC systems and that’s the reason they can reduce your energy bills. Additionally, many models have high SEER ratings, which are above federal requirements. Gree’s line of mini-splits for instance, has SEER ratings that go up to 25.
These multi-functional HVAC systems can also be used to heat rooms in the winter. A professional can suggest the right model for your home that integrates with the existing ductwork.
The number of indoor handlers determines how much heat-generating capacity of a system. This can be different between multi-zone and single-zone systems. Each of the indoor air handlers has a blower fan and an evaporator coil and an air filter which can be set to warm or cool air. It is possible to alter the temperature with an electronic remote control.
These systems are non-ductless and can be put in on areas that aren’t adequately cool by central HVAC systems or in areas with only a few ducts, such as attics or basements. A zoned mini split system can also save energy since it doesn’t have to send air conditioning to rooms that aren’t used.
In addition to providing better air quality A ductless mini-split system can also improve indoor air quality by eliminating contaminants that might be trapped in your home’s ducts. Additionally, these systems don’t produce unpleasant odors or rely on fossil fuels to run and are therefore eco-friendly and quiet. If properly maintained they require minimal maintenance. Indoor units can last up to 20 years before they need to be replaced, but it is essential to check for dirt and debris on a regular basis.
