When you want to install a central air conditioner, one of the main questions is choosing a suitable type. Your choice should be based on a few parameters: the home size, the availability of a furnace, and your needs and resources. The right decision helps you enjoy a comfortable, cooling home environment while minimizing money and energy costs. The following are the main types of central air conditioners:
1. Split Systems. Probably, it’s the number one choice if your home has a central furnace with air handlers or duct system. They allow cooling air to spread throughout your home. Such systems include an outdoor condensing unit and an indoor evaporator coil. Refrigerant circulates between these devices, lowering temperatures and eliminating humidity. Split Systems are financially and energy well-balanced, being excellent for larger homes. Their main disadvantage is the high ductwork cost if your house doesn’t have it.
2. Packaged central air conditioner. All its parts (compressor, condenser, and evaporator) are brought together in one outdoor cabinet. This container is usually placed on the roof or a concrete surface near a house. Such air conditioning options save some in-house space and are suitable for smaller homes or apartments. For larger ones, packaged central air conditioners may be relatively ineffective.
3. Ductless mini-split systems. They comprise an outdoor compressor/condenser unit connected to one or more indoor units fixed on walls. Each such unit may be customized separately, giving excellent zoning possibilities. It’s one of the types of central AC, which is perfect for an apartment or if it’s required to cool one or a few specific rooms and doesn’t need ductwork whatsoever. The cons of ductless mini splits are higher upfront cost per unit.
There is no such thing as an ideal central air conditioner. Any type of it has its advantages and disadvantages. The most practical solution depends on your home features, opportunities, and desires. We can offer you a free estimate and list of AC brands for installing the whole house system.