When the heat of the summer months hits, a cool, comfortable home is one of the best ways to beat the heat. The comfort depends on the air conditioner you want to install in your house. The type and size of air conditioning depends on the size of your home. Some air conditioners work more efficiently in smaller rooms. Others struggled to cool down larger areas.
Despite the differences in construction and design, most air conditioners have common elements. Each unit has an evaporator coil, a condenser, a compressor, an expansion valve and a refrigerant. Sump coolers are an exception.
Central air
The most common cooling system is a central air system. An outdoor unit contains the compressor and the coils. Inside the house you will find a unit that houses the evaporator register. A system of channels connected to the rooms throughout the house distributes the air.
Central air conditioning systems are not the most efficient, but they distribute the cool air evenly throughout the house. The number of indoor units depends on the size of the area to be cooled.
As mentioned in the Air conditioning company Website, central air conditioners allow the air to be cleaned before it is distributed inside. The air is forced through a filter that removes pollen, pollutants and other air particles. Using a programmable thermostat can increase the efficiency of the device.
Heat pumps
A Heat pump works remove the warmer air from inside the house and pump it outside. The result is a cooler interior of the house. Heat pumps can reverse their function in the colder months. In winter, the heat pump draws in warmer air from the inside and directs it to the outside.
A heat pump provides heating and air conditioning in the same unit. The main disadvantage of a heat pump lies in winter. Heat pumps are less effective in colder climates.
Channelless mini split systems
As the name suggests, a mini-split system cools the house without the pipes that conventional central air systems require. Inside, the ventilation unit distributes the air in a zone in the house. The indoor unit is often mounted on a wall or hung from the ceiling. The air is distributed to the outdoor unit via a refrigerant pipe instead of a duct.
Outside, the condenser works like a heat pump. Warmer air is transferred outside. A single indoor unit or multiple units are connected to the same outdoor unit.
Mini split systems are quicker to install and take up less space than conventional air conditioning systems. Multiple indoor units are energy efficient because you can turn off one unit in unused areas of the house. Individuals can also adjust the temperature to their liking.
Window units
Air conditioning systems for window units are installed in an existing window. These units are self-contained. No external unit is required.
A window unit sucks warm air out and pushes cooled air in. Window units are made in different sizes to accommodate a variety of spaces.
Newer window air conditioners are very efficient. They are well suited for single rooms or open areas. It is important to properly install a window unit so that the moisture drains outside.
Portable units
Portable air conditioners are like self-contained units. A portable unit does not require installation. These devices sit on the floor in the middle of the room. They can be easily moved to different areas of the house. They work much like a window unit. Hot indoor air escapes through a host that must be routed through a wall duct or through a window opening.
Portable air conditioners use little energy and are inexpensive to operate. A disadvantage is the fact that portable devices are not designed to cool large areas. Portable devices are not a practical solution for whole-house cooling.
Sump cooler
These units are also called evaporative coolers. Sump coolers are less common than other air conditioners and are mainly used in the southwestern United States.
A sump cooler draws in outside air with a fan and directs it through moist pads. The air is then distributed through the house. The advantage is an inexpensive and efficient air cooling process that makes the air twenty to thirty percent cooler. Sump coolers do not need ducts to distribute the air.
Sump coolers do not use refrigerants and are therefore environmentally friendly. In addition, sump coolers require less energy than conventional air conditioning systems.
Each of these air conditioners removes the warm air in the house and cools the indoor air. The right choice for you depends on your budget, building your home, and the area you want to cool.