"Air Conditioning Units" Focus on Purchasing an Air Conditioning, type of Air Conditioning unit you need.

• Air Conditioning Systems
• Air Conditioner Condensers
• Heat Pump Condensers
• Heat Pump Split Systems
• Dual Fuel Heat Pump & Furnace Systems
• Packaged & Rooftop Units
• Air Handlers
• Accessories

How To Buy An Air Conditioning Unit

There are various types of air conditioners and the part of the country you live in determines the kind of air conditioning unit that you’ll need to buy. A central AC unit price ranges from $900 to $6800. You can get a ductless mini split for anywhere between $400 and $5000. You’ll also need to consider ductwork. If your house already has installed ducts you’ll be better off going for a central air conditioning system. Whereas, if you live in an older house, it will be more affordable for you to buy and install a ductless mini-split air conditioner.  

This guide will walk you through the different types of air conditioning systems that are available for your type of climate and the various factors you’ll need to consider before making your purchase.

As mentioned earlier there are numerous factors that you need to consider before purchasing an air conditioner. These include:

• Need to modify your home
• Installation Costs
• SEER rating
• Square Footage
• Maintenance
• Warranty

Need To Modify Your Home

Basically, there are two types of air conditioning systems. There’s the central air conditioner and the ductless mini-split system.

Central Air Conditioner

Central air conditioners are divided into two different parts. You have the interior portion and then there’s the exterior portion. The exterior part includes the condenser, compressor and electrical components. It’s connected to pipes that carry refrigerant which link the exterior and internal parts. The internal part of a central AC system has an evaporator coil.

Central air conditioning systems use ducts to distribute cool air through the home. So, before getting one installed, you’ll need to have ductwork done assuming that none exists. If you live in a modern house, you probably already have the ductwork in place. However, it’s a whole other story if you live in an old house.

The installation of ductwork dramatically increases your initial investment. Even though you’ll be able to make savings in the long run, this additional cost will factor in when choosing the type of air conditioning unit to install.

Mini Split Ductless AC Unit

On the other hand, there’s not as much cost involved in buying and installing a ductless air conditioning system.

A mini ductless is the perfect solution to a home without any ductwork. It doesn’t require ductwork to distribute cooling in the home and so you don’t have to be bothered by high costs associated with modifying your home.

Even though, it’s possible to install a central AC system yourself, it’s generally a very difficult thing to do which is absolutely not the case with a ductless mini split AC. The fact that you can do a DIY installation of a ductless unit means that the cost of installation is significantly low compared to installing a central air conditioning unit.

Square Footage

The amount of room you need air conditioned is a factor that needs to be considered when buying an air conditioner. Mini splits and air conditioners are not created equal.

Whereas, a central AC system is built to provide air conditioning for the entire home, mini splits focus on particular zones (rooms) in the house.

A central air conditioning system that’s servicing small square footage will not do a good job as it’ll cycle on and off too many times which in turn causes insufficient dehumidifying which would be uncomfortable for the residents.

On the other hand, a mini split AC that’s not sized properly will not cool a room sufficiently. However, if it’s too big for the room not only will it not do a good job of dehumidifying the air because it’s cycling on and off frequently, but it will end up inflating the electric bill, wasting energy, and straining the unit.

Always ensure that you take down the measurements of the amount of space you need cooled before deciding on the type of air conditioner to buy. You’ll find that most mini splits come with a conversion table (printed on the box) that matches the amount of BTUs to the appropriate square footage.

Maintenance

Since air conditioners tend to have plenty of moving parts it’s no surprise that they require plenty of maintenance.

This is especially for the external components which are exposed to the elements.

When purchasing an AC unit ensure that you can easily access the filter for times when you need to clean or replace it.

Warranty

You’ll need to carefully read and understand the AC’s manufacturer warranty. Manufacturers don’t always offer a warranty for the entire unit under the same terms.

For instance, a manufacture may offer a warranty for all its components for a period of 5 years but leave out the air filter.

Some manufacturers offer a limited lifetime warranty. For instance, the AC equipment might be covered by a warranty only for as long as you own the house.

Most warranties don’t include standard cleaning or damage that’s caused by maintenance negligence.

What Is Air Conditioning and Where Can It Be Used In A Home

 Air conditioning refers to the process through which air in your home is cooled. This happens by heating and cooling special compounds in a system of coils found in an air conditioner. Cooled refrigerant is heated and converted into gaseous form which then absorbs heat in your home’s air.

Air conditioners can be used to transfer cool air from your basement to your bedroom at night. With multi zone ductless air conditioning systems you can enhance the level of comfort in your home since you can choose different cooling options for your home by varying the temperature of one room to another.

In addition, you can use a pre-programmable thermostat to preset the temperature levels for various times of day. For instance, you can set the temperature of your home to low right before you get home at work. Not only is this a luxurious convenience, but you reduce your energy bill by not leaving your air conditioner running throughout the day.

Is There A Standard Unit Of Measurement for Air Conditioners

Every air conditioner uses the SEER rating as a measure of its efficiency. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The federal SEER minimum for air conditioning units across the United States is 13. The way SEER rating works is that the higher the number assigned the more efficient the unit is.