Picking the Right Air Conditioner Unit For House
If your home’s air conditioning system is approaching the end of its life or your current energy bills are excessive, you might want to consider getting an upgrade to your AC unit. What are the best ways to choose the best one?
Air conditioners are sized by the amount of BTUs they can remove from the air each hour. This is the first thing to look at.
Window units
Window air conditioners are simple to install in homes that do not have ducts. The unit plugs into an electrical outlet and is plugged into the frame of the window or openings in the wall. It is typically capable of cooling a single room, and comes with various temperature and fan settings. It also has an drainage line that redirects any excess water to a drip pan or outside. To ensure that the heat is transferred properly, it is important that the evaporator in your window AC be clean. The evaporator coil will remain clean by regularly washing and clean the air filter.
Window units consume between 500-1400 watts of electricity when it is cooling your home. This is a lot smaller than central air systems that require up to 3,500 watts in order to run.
A window air conditioner has the advantage of being easy to move around from room to room. This is especially useful in homes with limited storage space. These units are simple to use and do not require professional installation or maintenance. They wear out fast and can be costly to replace. They are also not as efficient as a ductless unit, and you’ll still have to pay for HVAC maintenance in Gainesville.
The next type of air conditioning unit is a wall-mounted one. They are simple to set up, and can be moved around the room. They are more energy efficient than window units and are a bit quieter. However, they will not suit every house. They may not be compatible with all wall materials, and you’ll need make sure that the walls can support the weight of the unit.
If you are seeking a more energy-efficient air conditioning unit, look into a Mitsubishi mini-split. They are not only more efficient than traditional ductless units, but can also be used as heating units during the winter. This will let you make the most of your air conditioning in Florida and save money on your heating bills too.
Wall units
If you are looking for a more permanent method of cooling a room than window air conditioners, consider installing an air conditioner on the wall. They are similar to central AC systems, but they are more energy-efficient because they only can cool one room at a time. They have internal thermometers that shut off the unit once the room reaches a certain temperature, saving energy. These models are less disruptive than central air systems because they do not require vents or ducts to be installed in your home.
If you are looking for a through-the-wall unit, choose one that has a BTU rating that is appropriate for the space you have. BTU refers to British Thermal Unit and it is an indication of the amount of energy the unit consumes to cool your space. Abt offers a variety of energy STAR approved products that will help you save money on your energy bills.
These units are ideal for smaller homes, where ductwork is either too expensive or difficult to install. These units are ideal for rooms that only require to be cooled occasionally and aren’t used frequently. An excellent example is an office that is only used by the owner and does not need to be cooled all the time.
A wall-mounted air conditioner can be extremely economical in these situations However, it has its drawbacks. The most significant disadvantage is that it doesn’t allow the whole house to be cooled effectively. The air is distributed in a circular pattern starting with the room nearest the unit and working outwards. This results in a less uniform temperature throughout the home as is the case with a central AC system.
A wall-mounted air conditioner must be maintained to operate at its best. A properly maintained unit can last for 10 years or more. You can prolong the lifespan of your air conditioning unit by scheduling regular maintenance prior to the arrival of summer. A professional can inspect the unit, replace the air filter, clean the evaporator coils and check the refrigerant levels.
Split systems
Split system units are just one of the many kinds of HVAC systems available for home installation. These systems separate the system into outdoor and indoor units, unlike packaged units and window air conditioners that include the entire HVAC unit in one package. The indoor and outdoor units are connected via refrigerant pipes and control wiring.
This kind of system is ideal for cooling large areas in the home. The indoor air handlers are wall-mounted and can be positioned in rooms where ceiling space is not available. The indoor air handlers remove air from the room and then cool it before returning it to the room. The refrigerant contained in the air handlers transforms into gas that cools the evaporator and the surrounding area.
The mini split that is ductless is an increasingly popular alternative to central split systems, since it doesn’t need ductwork. This system allows you to connect multiple air handlers throughout your home, allowing 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 because it will save you money on the cost of energy and also on contractor fees.
Mini-splits with ductless technology have grown in popularity due to their efficiency and ductless design, which eliminates air leaks that can increase energy costs. These systems can be linked with a smart thermometer, which allows you to set and maintain temperature levels throughout your home.
A ducted system is paired with gas heaters. This allows you to warm your home in the winter and cool it down in summer, reducing the overall energy consumption.
The biggest drawbacks to a ducted system are the expenses for installation and maintenance. The ductwork may become damaged over time which can lead to costly repairs. The ducts can also become blocked, resulting in an improvement in performance. In addition, a ducted system will require more maintenance than a split system. It is recommended to consult an expert installer if you are thinking about a split system.
Mini-splits
Mini splits include an outside compressor unit as well as an indoor air handling unit. The units are connected by refrigerant lines. The unit pumps cooled air into your home, then the evaporator coil heats it to warm the room. The heated air is drawn back into the outdoor unit where the thermal energy is released into the air.
In contrast to window and through-the-wall units, which rely on fossil fuels and pollute the earth mini-split systems make use of electrical power to pump controlled air. They use less energy than centralized HVAC systems and can therefore help you reduce your utility bills. Many models also have SEER ratings that are higher than the federal requirements. Gree’s mini-splits, for example, have SEER ratings that go up to 25.
These multi-functional HVAC systems can also be used to heat rooms in winter. A professional can suggest the right model sized for your home and integrates into your existing ductwork.
The quantity of indoor air handlers in the system determines its heat-generating capacity, and this may vary between single-zone and multi-zone systems. Each of the indoor air handlers includes an air blower and an evaporator coil and an air filter which can be set to warm or cool air. With an electronic remote control, you can change the temperature.
These systems are air-tight and can be placed within areas that aren’t adequately cooling by a central HVAC system or in areas with only a few ducts, such as basements or attics. A mini-split that is zoned could conserve energy too because it doesn’t need to deliver the conditioned air to rooms which aren’t in use.
In addition to offering better air quality, a ductless mini-split system can improve indoor air quality by removing contaminants that could be accumulating in the ducts of your home. These systems are also eco safe and quiet, since they don’t emit odors or use fossil fuels. If they are properly maintained they require very little maintenance. Indoor units can last up to 20 years. However, it is important to check them on a regular basis for dirt and debris.