Learning About Commercial Air Conditioning Units

Types Of Residential Air Conditioning Systems

8 March 2023

Floyd Carroll

When you need residential air conditioning system installation, one of the first selections you'll need to make is the type of air conditioner you want to install. There are multiple options, based on your budget and your preferences. This article compares 4 different air conditioning systems and explains when to use each system.  

Window Units

Window units cost the least and have the simplest installation, but they only provide enough cold air to cool a small space, such as a bedroom or a studio apartment, and they burn out the fastest. Using a window unit for a larger space can result in the unit constantly running in an attempt to reach the desired temperature, putting a lot of stress on the components and increasing monthly utility bills. Some homeowners will install multiple window units throughout the house to keep up with greater demand. 

Central Air Conditioning 

Central air conditioning is one of the most popular air conditioning options for single-family homes. Central air sends cool air through ducts to reach the different parts of your home. While many units offer impressive efficiency, all systems that use ducts will experience standby heat loss as air travels through the ducts. The ducts will require regular cleaning for optimal performance. Homes with existing ductwork will pay less for installation than jobs that require new ductwork installation. Old ductwork may develop leaks, which can prevent air from getting to certain parts of your home. 

Ductless Mini-Split Systems 

Ductless mini-split systems use multiple small units throughout the house to control the space using a zone system that creates highly efficient performance. No ducts are required. Homeowners will have to pay a significant investment upfront, but the lower utility bills and increased comfort make up for it in time. 

Heat Pumps 

Heat pumps offer the best efficiency available out of all air conditioning options. Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling, unlike the options above that only offer cooling. When in cooling mode, the heat pump will remove the heat from the nearby air. Heat pumps don't produce the best results in hot temperatures, but they use roughly 50% of the energy as other systems. Heat pumps use ductwork to transport the cool air. Heat pumps cost a lot upfront, but they cut utility bills by a noticeable amount and may qualify for federal and state efficiency rebate programs. 

To decide the right system for you, consider your situation and preferences. Do you live in a tropical climate or do you have moderate summers? What's your budget? Do you prefer higher efficiency or more powerful performance?

Contact a local residential air conditioning system installation service to learn more. 

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