At least 75% of American homes have some type of air conditioning. Over the past few decades, AC has become less of a luxury amenity and more of a necessity.
Air conditioning keeps your home cool in warm weather, cuts down on humidity, and can provide relief to seasonal allergy sufferers.
But, if you’d like to add AC to your home, you might feel overwhelmed by all the air conditioner options.
Luckily, we’ve outlined the main types of air conditioners for you. Read on to learn about the most popular systems so you can make the right choice for your home and budget.
Central Air Conditioning
If you’re looking for a seamless way to cool your entire home, central air conditioning is the best option. While it is the most expensive option, it will add the most value to your home.
This system circulates cooled air through ductwork. It has an outdoor unit that holds the condenser and compressor, an indoor unit with the air handler and evaporator coils, and a central thermostat.
Hybrid Air Conditioning System
This type of unit is known as a hybrid because it combines an electric heat pump with a gas furnace. It’s most efficient in warmer climates.
The heat pump cools your home by sending warm air outside and heats it by sending cold air outside. When winter temperatures get too cold for the heat pump, the furnace kicks on.
This hybrid system can help you save money on utilities, since it can use two different types of energy.
Window Air Conditioner
A window air conditioner is the quickest and most affordable option. But, it’s also the least efficient and only cools one room or area of a house.
When you’re buying an AC unit, you’ll need to calculate the BTU rating so you choose a model that will cool the room properly.
These units blow cool air into the room and send hot air outside. You can install them in any single or double-hung window, as long as it’s close to an electrical outlet.
Ductless Mini-Split
Ductless mini-split systems include wall-mounted units in each room and an outdoor compressor and condenser. You can control the temperature of each wall unit with a remote.
Since you can create cool zones, this makes a great eco-friendly option. It’s also a solution for older homes, where installing ductwork isn’t an option. All it needs is small tubing to connect the wall units to the outdoor unit.
Choose One of These Types of Air Conditioners for Your Home
These types of air conditioners offer different methods of cooling depending on your budget and the design of your home.
A window unit will give you the quickest relief, while central air is a permanent solution. A ductless mini-split and a hybrid system fall somewhere in between.
If you’re in need of AC repair or installation, we can help. At MetFab Heating and Cooling, we have experience with many types of systems. Contact us today to book an appointment.