Air Conditioner Installation: ​​Pros And Cons Of Different Types Of Air Conditioners | Arlington, TX

Air Conditioner Installation: ​​Pros And Cons Of Different Types Of Air Conditioners | Arlington, TX

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Air conditioning systems are essential in most American homes. With temperatures in Arlington, TX hitting highs of 115.0°F, air conditioning systems are crucial to maintaining a comfortable temperature inside the home. Simply put, air conditioners cool homes by removing excess heat and moisture from the interior and dumping it outside. But did you know that there are several types of air conditioners?

Even though summer is still several months away, taking early precautions against the hot, muggy weather the season brings is a smart idea. It is a wise investment that can serve you and your family for years with proper care. But before you jump right into air conditioner installation, you should acquaint yourself with the different types of air conditioners and how they work.

Central Air Conditioner

This type of air conditioner installation is perfect for heating large homes with multiple rooms at once. It consists of a condensing unit installed outside and an evaporating unit installed next to the furnace. The condensing unit, which contains a condenser and compressor, generates cool air and sends it to the evaporating unit via refrigerant tubing connecting the two units. The evaporating unit, consisting of the evaporator coils and air handler, then circulates the cool air through your home using the furnace duct system.

Central air conditioners are efficient, quieter than other systems as the units are away from common areas and require relatively little maintenance. They can cool all rooms in your home at once using ducts, and they can also have programmable thermostats. However, central air conditioner installations are more pricey than other air conditioner systems, consume a lot of energy, and tend to lose efficiency and effectiveness due to duct leakages and age.

Window Air Conditioner

As the name suggests, this is a self-contained system usually placed in the window or, in some cases, a hole in the wall. They don’t have as much output as central air conditioners and work best with single rooms or small areas. A larger system could be used to cool a small home if it has an open plan or is a single story. The most common type of air conditioner, window air conditioners, comes in various builds and sizes to fit different types of windows. Window air conditioner installations are generally smaller compared to other systems and are more energy-efficient.

They also have low upfront costs and are easy to install. On the downside, they can only cool a limited area, tend to be loud and be removed or winterized in readiness for winter.

Air Source Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are considered one of the most efficient air conditioner installations. This system consists of an outside unit and ductwork. When it gets too hot, the heat pump uses electricity to absorb excess heat from the home’s interior and dump it outside. The heat pump will absorb heat from the outside and distribute it throughout the house using ductwork in cold weather. Heat pumps are most efficient in milder climates, but if you have sweltering hot summers and super cold winters, you can use the heat pump alongside your core HVAC system to make it more efficient.

Unfortunately, air conditioner installations that utilize heat pumps do not work efficiently in freezing temperatures, usually require backup heating in colder areas, and can be costly to install.

Ductless Air Conditioner

Also called ductless mini-split conditioners, this air conditioner installation is excellent for apartments and homes that don’t have ductwork. You can also use a ductless air conditioner to heat a single room or a portion of your house. This system consists of an exterior unit with a compressor and condenser connected through the wall to one or more interior units with refrigerant tubing. The units are mounted high up the wall, with the outdoor unit condensing cold air and sending it to the interior unit via the refrigerant tubing. The interior unit then uses a fan to blow the cool air into the home.

Ductless air conditioners are efficient, quiet, flexible, and compact. On the other end of the spectrum, they do not have air exchange capabilities, can be costly to install, and cannot cool an entire house.

Portable Air Conditioner

Like the window air conditioner, a portable air conditioner is a self-contained unit capable of cooling a room independently. Most portable air conditioner installations have wheels attached at the bottom and can be wheeled into a room. All you need is a hose vent through a window or exterior wall to discharge hot air and a power outlet to power the free-standing unit. Portable air conditioners are easy to use, can be moved to different rooms, and has low upfront costs.

However, they tend to make noise, have a relatively limited cooling range, and have to be uninstalled in the winter.

Floor-Mounted Air Conditioners

Floor mounted air conditioner installations are a variation of ductless air conditioners which are mounted on the floor instead of high up on the wall. They consist of an outdoor and indoor unit that is connected through the wall via a refrigerant tubing. They are ideal for people who want the convenience of having easy access to the indoor unit like the elderly or people with respiratory conditions and homes made using fragile materials like glass or with tilted walls. The downside of floor-mounted systems is that furniture can interrupt the airflow, and they aren’t suited to cooling larger rooms.

Air Conditioning Installation in Arlington, TX

Choosing the best type of air conditioner for your home can be challenging. It would help if you considered factors such as budget, energy consumption, required cooling power, space, and ease of maintenance. Then compare them to the different types of air conditioners to help you make a more informed decision. Choosing the most suitable air conditioning system will ensure your home is adequately cooled without significantly increasing your energy bills.

At One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth, we are the leading HVAC experts in Arlington, TX. We have been repairing HVAC systems for over three decades, and our experts are experienced and certified in heating and air conditioning service, replacement, and repair. We strive to make our services affordable, and should you need a new system installation, we’ll work with you to stay within your budget. Contact us today for more information about our services.