The Different Types of Air Conditioning Systems

Moving to a new home may be an exciting experience. You can browse for unique house decorations, appliances, and furniture. For a time, everything seems to be as simple and pleasurable as shopping for new clothing until you go on your journey to find a new air conditioning system to keep your house delightfully cool throughout the hottest days. Because this may be your first time purchasing this equipment for yourself, the real difficulty seems to have begun. So, do you know the different sorts of air conditioning systems?

8 Various Types of Air Conditioning Systems

An air conditioner is a must-have appliance that might save up a chunk of your home improvement money. The energy needed to keep your house at a comfortable temperature is proportional to your choice. It’s essential to research since each air conditioner has advantages and disadvantages. Let’s dig in and look at the types of air conditioning units so you can make an informed choice. Listed below are the top eight most popular AC units currently available.

1. Central Air Conditioner

This air conditioning is ideal if you have a big house and want to cool numerous rooms simultaneously. A central air conditioner employs a split system to manage airflow via ducts placed in your home. It is sometimes referred to as a ducted system. The split aspect represents the system’s two principal parts. The outside unit includes the condenser and the compressor, while the inside unit houses the evaporator coils and the air handler.

Like other types of air conditioning system, central air conditioners use refrigerants to cool the indoor air. This heat is exhausted outside, and cold air is drawn in through the ducts. Using contemporary HVAC technologies, programmable thermostats may be used with central air conditioners for a smart home experience.

Pros:

• It quickly and efficiently cools the whole house by connecting to the ductwork in each room, creating a uniform temperature throughout the house.
• When cold air is distributed around a house, humidity levels drop, creating a more comfortable environment.

Cons:

• Its high energy consumption raises utility bills.
• These systems might lose efficiency and effectiveness if the duct has a problem.
• Some people hate the look of the outside unit.

2. Ductless Mini-Split

If you want higher efficiency, eliminate a lot of ductwork, or cool a part of your house, ductless mini-split air conditioners are a terrific option. Ductless systems are an excellent alternative for modern homes. An air conditioner of this sort combines an outside unit with a compressor, a condenser, and one or more interior units. Fans are built into these indoor units and fixed on the wall. There is a tube connecting the indoor and outdoor units, and the refrigerant flow varies between the two.

These indoor units are so small and compact that they can be installed in almost any space to provide heating or cooling. Such air conditioners are far more energy efficient than other different types of air conditioning available, but they may be expensive if you intend to place one in each room to cover the whole home. Ductless mini-splits have a remote control, but when combined with a smart AC controller, you can manage them from anywhere with your phone.

Pros

• It is simple to install in any place without the need for ducting.
• It can independently manage the temperature of each room.

Cons

• For big houses, a single ductless mini-split unit is insufficient.
• Because the indoor unit of a ductless mini-split is wall-mounted, it is easily visible.

3. Portable Air Conditioner

Window air conditioners are comparable to portable air conditioners. They are similarly housed in a single unit with all their components inside, but the distinction is that it is a free-standing device that can be moved from room to room. All it needs is a power outlet and access to a window through which the unit’s air may be evacuated using its funnel. Consider a portable air conditioner if you need temporary cooling or if it’s not possible to install a window or split system. They’re beneficial; smaller ones may even be utilized in kennels or restrooms.

Portable air conditioners may be single-hose units that draw air from within a room and discharge it outside. Alternatively, a dual-hose system draws air from the outside using one hose. This air cools the compressor and is expelled through the second hose. Because a portable unit is used inside, its evaporator fan constantly operates to remove the condensed moisture accumulated within the unit.

Pros

• Setup is quick and easy.
• They are readily moved around the home.
• They don’t need to be installed permanently.
• A good choice for spot cooling.
• Simple to store when not in use.

Cons

• These devices are rather loud when operating.
• Cooling bigger spaces is a challenge.
• Hose-connected portables must be placed next to a window for effectiveness, which blocks the lower part of your view.

4. Window Air Conditioner

There is a wide range of sizes of window air conditioners, making them perfect for cooling down a single room or a small space. A large window air conditioner may make a small home with no basement or closed-off rooms comfortable to live in during the summer. The most common air conditioner is the window model since it efficiently cools down smaller spaces.

An air conditioner for a window is a self-contained unit. The device blasts cold air into space and expels hot air to the outside. As the name suggests, it is installed by inserting it through a window or wall. Such air conditioners include a filter that pulls out and can be cleaned regularly to ensure maximum AC effectiveness. These air conditioners feature controls built into the device and may have a remote.

Pros

• Window units are often affordable and less expensive to run.
• Installation is simple.
• Simple to maintain.
• Do not consume any of your floor space.

Cons

• They may be loud while operating and can be seen outside the house.
• They obstruct the view from a window and must be placed near an electrical outlet.
• Not all windows are designed to hold air conditioners; some models aren’t made to fit in casements or other non-standard shapes. 

5. Floor-Mounted Air Conditioner

Floor-mounted air conditioners are intended for convenience if you want a mini-split but lack the necessary space for a wall-mounted unit. The indoor component of a floor-mounted AC unit is designed to rest on the floor, while the outer part may be installed without costly ductwork or site preparation. This layout is especially appropriate for rooms with inclined walls, such as attics, or structures made of delicate materials like glass. A small hole in the wall connects the inside and outside units, allowing the inside unit to be installed up to 6 inches from the ground.

The positioning of this AC provides an incredible advantage that it lets you check the air filters. Those with breathing problems or who wish to keep their home’s air as clean as possible may benefit from installing a window or floor model air conditioner. Floor-mounted systems cool or heat a room more quickly than those positioned on the walls or ceiling since the fan blows air directly at your level.

On the contrary, units installed high up on the wall may have difficulty cooling the space equally and effectively. On the other hand, floor units need clear space around them to operate appropriately and circulate the air. Check that the unit is not obscured by furniture or walls.

Pros

• It is ideal for older persons living at home due to its accessibility.
• It is simple to set up.
• They are a fantastic alternative for challenging and tiny settings since they do not take up much room.

Cons

• Impediments may hamper airflow in the room, such as furniture.
• Inadequate for large spaces owing to uneven and localized airflow distribution.

6. Geothermal Air Conditioning System

Geothermal heating and cooling is a new technology that utilizes the soil’s insulating properties. Because temperatures beneath 4 to 6 feet of earth stay stable all year, regardless of the weather, geothermal technology makes use of this to heat and cool your home more effectively. This system uses a pipe with a loop that circulates water between your house, a heat pump, and the earth. They need extensive labor to install underground.

Pros

• In terms of energy utilization, it is pretty efficient.
• It has a longer lifetime than other forms of heating and cooling equipment.

Cons

• Because loops are put in the ground, installation is site dependent.
• The setup fee is hefty.

7. Smart Air Conditioner

Smart air conditioners are IoT-enabled mini-split, window, or portable air conditioners. These air conditioners are Wi-Fi enabled and have a native app allowing worldwide management through smartphones.

These air conditioners have many functions, some of which depend on the manufacturer. Weekly scheduling, geofencing, comfortable mode, temperature control, and a variety of additional features are among them. You may obtain excellent comfort while also conserving energy by using them.

Alternatively, you may purchase a smart AC controller, which adds the smart AC’s features to any regular ducted air conditioner. They work similarly to programmable thermostats and are a fraction of the price of smart air conditioners. Additionally, several countries provide grants of up to $5,600 for improvements to the building envelope that reduce energy use in a homeowner’s principal residence. You may take advantage of this chance to improve your air conditioning equipment.

Pros

• With a variety of functions, it may provide comfort and convenience.
• Contribute to energy conservation.

Cons

• More pricey than standard units.
• Wi-Fi access is required to use all of the features.

8. Hybrid / Dual Fuel Air Conditioner

A hybrid system provides affordable and effective heating and cooling performance by combining a gas furnace with an electric air-source heat pump. The device automatically switches between burning fossil fuels and utilizing electricity depending on the outdoor temperature. You may set the temperature at which the system converts from heat pump to furnace, or you can make the changeover manually.

The heat pump does its job during the summer, drawing hot air from within your house and venting it outside. When the temperature outside drops below the heat pump’s optimal range, the furnace switches on to provide additional heating for the residence.

Pros

• Increase interior comfort while lowering utility expenses.
• Reduce your carbon impact.

Cons

• High upfront investment required.
• Long-term breakeven may occur.

Final Thoughts

When the temperature outside rises, an air conditioning system is a beneficial tool. Even though air conditioning supplies are readily available everywhere, there are still steps to take before purchasing an AC unit. One should always keep in mind that long-term thinking guarantees success. By improving efficiency and lowering energy usage, you may save 50% of the energy costs related to your heating and cooling systems. Therefore, when purchasing a new air conditioner for your house, it is essential to research before making a final decision.