A Guide to Air Conditioner Types: Choose the Right AC Unit for Your Home

Choose the Right AC Unit for Your Home

As the record heat bears down, the types of AC units available have become a hot topic. Choosing the right air conditioning system for your home and location can make or break your pleasant summer. It starts by understanding the different air conditioner types, the value they bring to your home, and how difficult it might be to install them. Let’s take a look at the options for AC units for the home.

Air Conditioner Types

Choosing an air conditioning system will depend greatly upon the size of your home, the space you want to cool, the budget you have, and any potential difficulties with installation.

There are many air conditioner types, ranging from large and complex to small and quite user-friendly. We’ll take a look at central AC, window units for the home, portable units for small rooms, split systems for unique spaces, and even “swamp coolers” for a more old-fashioned option.

Central AC

This is one of the most common AC units across the country, even though it is usually the largest and most expensive. It’s made up of two units — one that works inside, and one that works outside.

The central air conditioning system consists of two main units: an outdoor unit, which houses the compressor, condensing coils, and fan, and an indoor unit typically located near your furnace. These units are connected by tubing, allowing the system to utilize the same ductwork and blower as your furnace, hence the term “central” air conditioning.

This system is designed to cool your entire home, making it crucial to select the right size unit. If the system is too small, it won’t effectively cool your space. Conversely, an oversized unit may cool the air quickly but fail to dehumidify it properly, leading to discomfort. Consulting with a contractor can help determine the appropriate size of central AC for your home.

Portable AC

When you are looking for an AC unit to cool one room or small space, a portable AC might be the best option. This unit can be moved to the room you want, plugged into a standard wall outlet, and attached to a hose vent that feeds through a window vent or exterior wall. This self-contained unit is a bit noisier than other options but for easy and quick cooling without installation hassle, it’s the way to go. 

Minimal maintenance is required while this unit is running. The unit might have a reservoir to collect condensation; this needs to be emptied periodically.

Window AC

This rivals central AC for popularity — it’s quite common to see these window units in homes across the country. It’s a self-contained unit that is placed in a window, or sometimes through a hole cut into an exterior wall. All parts of the unit are in one compact box, ready to work as soon as it is plugged into a standard outlet.

The placement and angle of the unit allow the condensation to drip outside, so there is no need to empty a reservoir. The installation is relatively easy, but you might need two people to ensure nothing goes wrong because these units can be heavy.

Window air conditioning units come in a variety of sizes to suit the space you need to cool. Some are great for one small room, while others have the power to cool a small house. They are affordable enough that you could choose to install two or three units to handle a larger space or a two-story home.

Ductless Mini-Split AC

If your home doesn’t have a central AC system and it might be tough to install one, there is another route: The ductless or mini-split AC system. Like a central AC, there is a condensing unit at the exterior of the building that feeds into the evaporative unit in the interior of the space.

The key difference is that this smaller system lacks a series of ducts; instead, it directly expels air from the indoor unit into the room, similar to how a window air conditioner operates.

This system is commonly used in older homes that are unsuitable for extensive ductwork, as well as in hotels and apartments that require smaller units. Additionally, many ductless systems also offer heating capabilities, ensuring comfort throughout the seasons.

Swamp Cooler/Evaporative AC

If you live in a place with low humidity, a swamp cooler can keep you comfortable through the power of evaporation. It works by passing outdoor air over pads saturated with water; as the water evaporates, it reduces the air temperature significantly before directing it into the house.

An evaporative cooler requires that windows are partially opened to exchange the warm indoor air with the cooler air. This can be a boon for those with respiratory issues, as the air doesn’t recirculate as with other options; an evaporative cooler brings fresh air into the home. It also uses less energy than other options. 

Though these coolers are less expensive than central AC, they require more frequent maintenance, which can balance out the cost.

How Do I Choose From These Air Conditioner Types?

Choosing the right AC unit for your home can determine just how comfortable you are not only this summer but in the seasons to come. One of the biggest factors will be the size of your home or the individual rooms you want to cool. For whole-house cooling, a central AC unit is the way to go.

But what is that is outside of your current budget? Then it’s time to look at the alternatives, such as going with a more affordable ductless mini-split system.

Air Conditioner Cost Calculator

Take Me There

There could be other reasons to choose a different AC unit; for instance, those in low-humidity areas might love a swamp cooler while those who just need to cool one small room could go for the portable option.

No matter what you choose, let Modernize be your guide. We can tell you everything you need to know about air conditioning units and then help you find the ideal contractor in your local area to help you install it.