How to Choose the Right Type of Air Conditioner for Your Home
There are various types of air conditioning that can cool your home and provide health benefits.
But which air conditioner is best for you?
We discuss the different types of air conditioners and how to choose the right one to suit your needs.
What are the different types of air conditioning?
Window
Just like the name suggests, this air conditioning unit sits on your window.
The small window or unitary air conditioner unit has a vent that sends the heat through condenser coils to the outside and sends cool air into your home.
They are compact which makes them suitable for homes without being overly bulky.
They can cool your whole house, but they are most suited for single floor properties.
Portable
A portable air conditioner is generally used on a temporary basis as it does not have the cooling power of a permanent type of air conditioner.
A portable air conditioner will only cool the room you are in, but it can be moved by simply plugging it in somewhere else.
Central air handling unit
A central air handling unit or central air conditioner is one of the largest air conditioners.
This is why it is most suitable for cooling large areas as it has more power.
The central air conditioner includes two units, a condensing unit and an evaporative unit which are connected by tubing.
The condensing unit is placed outside your home and the evaporative unit is placed inside.
This type of air conditioning system may also be called ducted air conditioning because it needs ductwork to function.
It uses the same ductwork as your heating and will be able to cool your whole home.
Wall hung split or multi head split air conditioners (mid split)
Another type of air conditioning unit is a split, ductless or inverter air conditioner.
A split system is so-called because it is in two parts, a condensing unit, and an evaporative unit.
The condensing unit, like the central system, is placed outside your home and the evaporative unit is placed inside.
If you are more concerned about the look of your air conditioner, then this is a better option as they don’t need ducts as they use refrigeration pipework instead.
They can also be lower in cost to run than a central air conditioner.
The refrigerant tubing runs from the inside unit to the outside and there will usually be more than one inside unit which you can control separately.
The inside unit can be wall mounted or hidden in the ceiling. It can also be boxed with a grille to let the cool air out or placed in your attic.
This is why this type is attractive to many homeowners for the flexibility of where it can be placed and that it can be out of sight.
What is the difference between HVAC and air conditioning?
A HVAC unit heats, cools, and ventilates, whereas an air conditioner generally only cools but some can be used for heat.
What is the difference between air cooling and air conditioning?
The difference between air cooling and air conditioning is that air cooling brings in fresh air from outside before cooling it.
Air conditioning circulates internal air over and over. They do not produce cold air.
But, the two terms may be used for an air cooler, so when you are choosing which product to purchase, make sure it does what you need it to do.
Which type of air con to choose?
Once you have decided on the type of air conditioner you need, you will need to consider a few other factors.
Budget
The air conditioning unit will need to be purchased but you must also factor in the installation and the ongoing cost.
The price of an air conditioning unit can cost from £480 to £2,080 for a split air conditioner for a single room.
The installation cost can cost from just under £2,000 up to £7,500 on average.
This will depend on the type of air conditioner system you are having installed and your location, among other factors.
Size
The size of an air conditioner unit will play a big role in deciding which one suits your home best. Once you decide on the best type of air conditioner for your home, you will need to measure where it needs to be placed and pick a model that suits.
If you want an air conditioner that can be concealed, then a split air conditioner is best.
Cooling power
It’s also important to get the right size of air conditioner to ensure it cools your home efficiently. This does not mean the dimensions of your air conditioner, but the amount of heat it can remove in an hour.
Factors that impact the size of air conditioner include the size of your room, where you live, your ceiling height, the rooms exposure to the sun, the number of appliances in the room, and how many people on average are in the room.
There may also be other factors but the bigger your room, the more powerful an air conditioner you will need.
Energy consumption
Using an air conditioner an average of 4 hours and 18 minutes during the day and 4 hours 48 mins at night will cost around 44p per hour according to Uswitch.
With rising energy prices, this could be slightly more at present.
The best type of air conditioner for your home
The best type of air conditioner for your home, whether it’s a central air conditioner, window unit, or split system, depends on numerous factors such as size, budget, cooling, and energy consumption which you should consider before choosing one for your home.
Whichever air conditioner you choose, ensure you get an experienced and OFTEC registered company to carry out the installation.
Most of the issues arising with air conditioners are due to poor installation.
At Add Heat we always ensure a high standard of work and have numerous accreditations.
If you have any questions about which air conditioning system is best for you, contact us today.