It can be difficult to decide between central air conditioning and window units when cooling your home for the summer. Largely, your decision will be predicated on the size of the area you desire to cool or dehumidify, as well as your budget. By carefully considering these factors and a few others, you will be guaranteed to find the right type of air conditioning system for your home.
Window and Room Units
Most people are familiar with window unit A/C systems. These fit inside a window frame, and plugs into an interior electrical outlet, much like any other appliance. A window or room unit operates by pulling in fresh air from outside, compresses and cools it, and then blows it into the room in which the unit is installed. These are often called "room" units. This moniker refers to the relative size of the space that these systems are able to cool effectively. A window unit is efficient cooling a space the size of a large room, which is why they are often used in the small mobile office units found on construction sites.
These units do not necessarily have to be mounted in a window. In fact, a larger type of unit often found in foreign countries is mounted directly into a wall. This type of unit requires a section of the wall to be cut to fit, and often will require its own circuit. This means it is more expensive since you will need to hire an electrician to install the circuit, as well as a contractor to cut through the wall.
When purchasing a window or room air conditioning system, keep in mind the space you are trying to cool. If the unit you purchase is too small for the area, it will have to work harder to keep it cool, increasing your electricity costs. The metric to keep in mind is British Thermal Units or BTUs. Some units are as small as 5,000 BTUs and will cool about 150 square feet of space. The largest units top out at 20,000 BTUs and can cool over a thousand square feet.
Central Air Conditioners
The central air conditioner is a fixed installation outside your home. The air intake and condenser cool outdoor air, and a system of air ducts transports that cooled air to every room in your home, even recycling it to be cooled again. These systems usually work in tandem with a furnace or other heating solution, to create the most hospitable thermal environment in any season.
Much like the window unit, the central air conditioner's strength is also measured in BTUs per hour, also referred to as 'tonnage.' This type of unit requires a professional HVAC contractor to determine the right type of system for your home and to install both the unit and any needed duct work. The contractor will take into account a variety of factors, including your home's insulation, fenestration, and any passive solar gain that the unit will have to counter in order to cool your home.
A room or window unit will often cost as little as a few hundred dollars, while a central unit can cost several thousand to buy and install. However, the central unit is guaranteed to cool a larger space, and is guaranteed to last much longer. Add to this that the central air unit is usually the more efficient choice for most homeowners, and that is an investment that helps increase home value, and the choice seems clear.
Ultimately if you are looking for a quick fix, or want to cool a small space, the window unit is your best bet. Otherwise, opt for a central air conditioning unit for an investment that will continue to bring you significant cost savings for many years to come.
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