When working with a home that has no air conditioning, you have two options. You can put in a smaller window air conditioner or you can put in a central air conditioning system. There is substantially less cost with the window unit, so many people believe that it is the most affordable option. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
Window Air Conditioners
A window air conditioner is only designed to cool a small area of your home. You have to make sure it is properly sealed so hot air is not entering the room from the sides of the unit, and then you can only expect it to cool one small area of your home. This means you will need multiple window units to keep all rooms of your home cool.
If you have a large home, you will never be able to cool all rooms with window air conditioner units. The expense of operating all of those units would easily be more than operating a central air system, even if you purchased energy efficient air conditioner units.
The only way window units will work is if you have a small home, or only need to cool one small area of the home. If you live in a mild climate where there are not too many extremely hot days, and you stay mostly in one area of the home during the day, then you might be able to get by with one window unit cooling that area of the home. Otherwise, the operation of multiple window air conditioners will easily exceed the operating cost of a central air conditioning system.
Of course, if you cannot afford the central air conditioning system, then a good window system may be your only option right now. Make sure to read lots of reviews online and purchase an energy efficient unit that seals the window tightly. Think of where you spend most of your time at the hottest point of the day and position your air conditioner there. If there is one room of your home that tends to naturally stay cooler, consider putting your air conditioner there so you can run it less while keeping cool.
Central Air Conditioning Systems
You do have to pay more upfront to have an air conditioner system installed with vents throughout your entire home, but in the long run it is the most affordable option for larger homes. If you want to cool your entire home so your family can run free throughout the house without overheating, then a whole house air conditioning system is essential. Once you get past the cost of installation, it will save you money over running window units in every room.
Make sure you purchase an energy efficient central air conditioning system. You will quickly earn the cost of installation back as you save money operating the system from month to month. You may even be able to get special tax savings in certain years just for going energy efficient.
For most homes, central air conditioning is the way to go. You have to consider the area to be cooled and how many window units it would take to make this decision for yourself.
Thanks for sharing your viewpoints on this. I have been looking at some new air conditioner units for my apartment because the one I had doesn't work anymore and I have to keep cool during the brutal summer months. For an apartment, a window unit is the way to go.
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