Picking the Right Air Conditioner Unit For House
If your home’s air conditioning system is nearing the end of its life or your energy bills are excessive, you might want to consider getting a new AC unit. How do you pick the best one?
Air conditioners are sized by the amount of BTUs they can remove from the air per hour. This is the first thing to take a look at.
Window units
Installing window air conditioners into the home with no ducts is easy. The unit plugs into an electrical outlet and is plugged into the window frame or wall opening. It can cool a room, and typically has a variety of temperature and fan settings. The unit also has an drainage line that redirects any excess water to a drip pan or to the outside. To ensure good heat transfer it is crucial that the evaporator in your window AC is clean. The evaporator coil will remain clean when you regularly wash and clean the air filter.
Window units consume between 500 to 1,400 watts electricity when it is cooling your home. This is significantly lower than central air systems that use up to 3,500 watts in order to run.
A window air conditioner has the advantage of being easy to move from room to room. This is especially beneficial for homes with limited storage space. These units are simple to operate and don’t require professional installation or maintenance. They tend to wear quickly and can be expensive to replace. They aren’t as efficient as a ductless system, and you’ll still have to pay for HVAC maintenance in Gainesville.
The next type of air conditioning unit is one that is mounted to the wall. They are easy to install and can be moved around the room. They are more energy efficient than windows and are a bit quieter. They are not a good fit for every home. You might need to determine whether the wall material is compatible.
If you are looking for a more energy-efficient air conditioning unit, look into a Mitsubishi mini-split. These are not only more efficient than traditional ductless systems, but they can also be used as heating units in the winter. This will let you to get the most out of your air conditioning system in Florida and also reduce your heating costs.
Wall units
If you are looking for a long-lasting method of cooling the room, rather than using a window air conditioner you should consider installing a wall unit. They function like an central AC system but are more efficient in energy usage because they are focused on one room at a time. These units have internal thermometers which will shut off the unit when the room is at the desired temperature. This helps to save energy. These models are also less invasive than central air systems since they don’t require the addition of ducts or vents into the walls of your home.
When looking for a through the wall unit, you should look for a model with the correct BTU level that is appropriate for your space. BTU is a shorthand for British Thermal Unit and it is an indication of the amount of energy your unit uses to cool your space. Abt offers a wide range of energy STAR certified models that can reduce your energy costs.
These units are great for smaller homes where ductwork would cost a lot or be difficult to set up. They are also a great option for rooms that are only used only occasionally and do not require to be cooled frequently. A great example would be an office that is only used by the owner and does not need to be cooled all the time.
It is not without its flaws. The biggest disadvantage is that it does not provide a cooling effect to the entire home. The cooled air is dispersed in a circular pattern from the unit, cooling the room closest to it first, and then spreading outwards. This results in less uniform temperature throughout the house than an central AC system.
A wall-mounted air conditioner must also be maintained to perform at its best. A well-maintained unit can last 10 years or more. You can prolong the life of your air conditioning unit by scheduling regular maintenance for it prior to the arrival of summer. A professional can check the unit, replace the air filter, clean the evaporator coils and examine the refrigerant levels.
Split systems
Split system units are one of the numerous types of HVAC systems available for installation at home. These systems separate the HVAC unit into outdoor units and indoor units. This differs from window units and packaged units. AC units, which contain the entire HVAC unit in one package. The outdoor and indoor units are connected via refrigerant piping and control wiring.
This type of system is perfect to cool large areas of the home. The indoor air handlers can be mounted on walls in rooms with no ceiling space. The indoor air handlers pull air out of the room and cool the air before returning it to the room. The refrigerant contained in the air handlers change from liquid to gas that cools the evaporator and the room.
The mini split that is ductless is an increasingly popular alternative to central split systems, as it does not require the use of ductwork. This system allows you connect multiple air handlers in your home and control the temperature of each room separately. It is ideal for new additions to your home or for homes that are unable to accommodate ductwork because it can save on the cost of energy and also on contractor fees.
Mini-splits that are ductless have increased in popularity due to their high efficiency and ductless design which eliminates air leaks that can increase the cost of energy. These systems can be linked with smart thermostats that allow you to set and maintain specific temperatures throughout your home.
Another benefit of a ducted system is the ability to pair it with gas furnaces. This lets you heat your home in the winter months and cool it in the summer, reducing the overall energy cost.
The primary drawbacks of an duct system is the expenses for installation and maintenance. In addition to the initial cost, ductwork can become damaged over time, leading to costly repairs. The ducts can also become blocked, leading to a reduction in performance. Additionally, a ducted system requires more maintenance than a split system. If you are considering a ducted system, it is best to consult with an experienced installer.
Mini-splits
Mini splits are comprised of an outdoor compressor unit as well as an indoor air handling unit. The units are connected via refrigerant pipes. The unit pumps cooled air into your home, then the evaporator coil heats it to warm the area. The heated air is pulled back into the outdoor unit where the thermal energy is released to the air.
Mini-splits use electricity to circulate conditioned indoor air, unlike windows and through-the-wall units that make use of fossil fuels. They also use less energy than traditional centralized HVAC systems, which is why they can cut your utility costs. Furthermore, many models come with high SEER ratings that exceed federal requirements. Gree’s mini-splits, for example, have SEER ratings up to 25.
These versatile HVAC solutions can also be used to heat rooms during winter. A professional can recommend the right model built for your house and integrates into your existing ductwork.
The number of indoor handlers determines how much heat-generating capacity of a system. This can vary between single-zone and multi-zone systems. Each of the indoor air handlers has an air blower, an evaporator coil, and an air filter, which can be set to warm or cool air. With the use of a remote control, you can alter the temperature.
These systems are air-tight and can be placed on areas that aren’t adequately cooled by central HVAC systems or areas that have only a few ducts, such as attics or basements. A zoned mini split system can also save energy, as it doesn’t need to send the conditioned air to rooms that aren’t being utilized.
In addition to offering better climate control A ductless mini-split system can help improve the quality of indoor air by removing any contaminants that could be accumulating in the ducts of your home. Additionally, these systems don’t emit unpleasant smells or depend on fossil fuels to operate which makes them eco-friendly and quiet. They require little maintenance if properly maintained. Indoor units can last for up to 20 years before they have to be replaced. However, it is essential to be sure to check for dirt and other debris on a regular basis.