Knowing the different types of air conditioners on the market helps you make an informed decision about your home's next cooling system. Each type has its pros and cons. Let's explore the different options.
Central Air Conditioning System
A central AC system has two main units: the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. It pulls heat from your home through a return system and exhausts it outside. Cool air is delivered to your room through ducts. The system can lose efficiency and effectiveness if there's a problem with the ductwork. It's costly to set up.
Central AC systems, one of many different types of air conditioners, are ideal for large homes and businesses because they cool multiple rooms concurrently.
Ductless Mini-Split
A ductless mini-split AC system consists of an outside unit comprising a compressor and a condenser, along with one or more air-handling units (often called indoor units). These outdoor and indoor units are connected by tubing, which allows for refrigerant circulation. Ductless mini-splits can be set up anywhere and can control the temperature of every room independently.
A single indoor unit cannot cool a large home. Therefore, using ductless systems can be costly if you intend to use them to cool an entire house.
Geothermal Air Conditioning
A geothermal cooling system removes the heat in your home and transfers it to the ground through an underground loop. Geothermal systems typically use water rather than refrigerant. While geothermal air conditioning is expensive to set up, it's highly energy-efficient and lasts longer than other AC options.
Window Unit
A window AC unit is installed in a window or in a hole in a wall. It blows cool air using the indoor side and removes heat through the outdoor side. It's less costly and easy to install and maintain. However, it will obscure the view from the window where you install it.
Portable Unit
A portable air conditioner is freestanding on the floor and self-contained. You can, therefore, take it to any room. It cools small spaces quickly but struggles in larger rooms.
Now that you know the different types of air conditioners out there, it's time to choose one that's best suited for your home. For more information on the different types of air conditioners, contact Air Assurance, the largest full-service heating and air conditioning company in Broken Arrow.