Central Air Conditioners
Most houses equipped with air conditioning use a central air conditioning system. This type of system, as suggested by its name, channels cool air from a main unit through a network of ducts within the house. A significant portion of household central air conditioners consist of “split systems,” where the evaporator coils are located indoors whereas the condenser sits outdoors.
A central air conditioner
serves well if you:
-
- Own the home;
- Intend to remain there for a minimum of three years;
- Utilize an existing duct system for air distribution;
- Requires cooling for an area larger than 500 square feet.
- Reside in a region where scorching temperatures persist for much of the year.
- Own a house where specific areas do not accumulate excessive warmth.
Window Air Conditioners
We noted that central air conditioners typically consist of split systems, featuring one component indoors and another outdoors.
window air conditioner
includes one component where the condenser sits outside the window, and the coils are located indoors. Window AC units tend to be much less expensive compared to central air systems, plus they’re portable so you can bring them along whenever you relocate. Are you familiar with this?
moss air conditioner
? An attractive air conditioner that’s more eco-friendly compared to most.
A
window air conditioner
serves well if you:
- Rent;
- Has ownership, but might relocate shortly;
- Lack an existing duct system;
- Need to cool a compact area like a studio apartment or just one room?
- Have limited floor space;
- Have a limited budget.
Portable Air Conditioners
Portable air conditioners are all-in-one units meant for use without needing to be placed in a window. These devices typically include wheels, allowing them to be easily rolled into different rooms as needed.
Similar to other types of air conditioners, portable models generate both heat and moisture. This heat originates from the condenser unit, whereas the water accumulates due to condensation forming on the evaporator coil. Since this excess heat and water must be expelled somehow, these portable cooling devices come equipped with a ventilation hose designed for expelling hot exhaust out through an open window.
Under highly humid conditions, the amount of condensation might exceed what it can exhaust. When this happens, you’ll have to either manually empty the internal tank or attach a hose to a drainage system. While these devices are mobile, their portability becomes somewhat cumbersome due to such requirements when moving them between rooms.
A
portable air conditioning unit
serves well if you:
- Rent;
- Has ownership, but might relocate shortly;
- Feel free to sacrifice some floor area;
- Need to cool down a tiny apartment or space?
- Have a limited budget;
- Are you okay with emptying the tank or attaching a hose specifically under highly humid conditions?
Wall-Mounted Air Conditioners
At first glance, a
wall-mounted air conditioning unit
It looks like a window air conditioner fitted into a wall opening. Despite this similarity, their designs vary: typical window units feature vents on both sides and the back, whereas wall-mounted versions usually expel air through the back panel alone.
Wall-mounted air conditioners are generally fixed structures that usually necessitate framing, along with interior and exterior finishing such as drywall and sidetracking tasks. The installation process varies based on the specific model; some models allow for the entire unit to be inserted into an opening, whereas others use a distinct metallic sheath which gets installed initially before sliding the unit within this casing. In both scenarios, part of the equipment remains exposed externally while components like the coils and front panel stay apparent from inside the house.
Once correctly installed and sealed, a wall-mounted AC unit operates more efficiently compared to a window unit and assists in reducing noise from the cooling system.
Choosing a wall-mounted air conditioner for installation can be beneficial if you:
- Own the home;
- Lack an existing duct system for distributing air;
- Such as having accurate control over the room temperature, or requiring varied cooling levels in separate rooms;
- Wish to prevent obstructing the light coming through a window or create a potential security hazard.
Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioners
Quickly gaining traction, ductless mini-splits operate with an outdoor condenser similar to traditional central air systems. However, they differ from central air units since mini-split systems include several indoor air handling units spread across the house. These individual units come equipped with their own temperature and fan settings, allowing targeted distribution of cool or warm air according to your preference. Additionally, thanks to each interior unit linking directly to one external component, these systems eliminate the necessity for complex ductwork.
Plus, since there are no ducts involved, these systems can be easily installed by yourself.
Mr. Cool DIY
is a type of ductless mini-split system that, as the name implies, allows convenient installation by homeowners and renters themselves.
Ductless mini-splits
are solid options if you:
- Own the home;
- Intend to remain there for a minimum of three years;
- Lack an existing duct system for distributing air;
- Seek exact control over various areas of the house. It has the capability to warm up and chill down spaces at the same time.
Geothermal Air Conditioners
We’ve discussed split systems where the condenser is located outside the house, expelling heat into the atmosphere. However, there’s no rule saying an air conditioner must utilize air for this process.
Geothermal systems
let that warmth flow into the earth, utilizing the consistent temperatures observed at least four feet beneath the ground level (around 50 to 55°F).
Since the coils are underground, geothermal systems are typically installed during the construction of new buildings. However, these systems can also be added to pre-existing residences as part of renovations.
Geothermal energy is an excellent option if you are:
- Building a new home;
- Intend to remain in your residence for a minimum of half a decade.
- Environmentally conscious;
- Ensure you have the appropriate property design and soil composition;
- Enjoy direct access to a pond or lake for water-based geothermal purposes.
Evaporative Cooling
Evaporative coolers
, also known as “swamp coolers,” are frequently discussed alongside air conditioners. Nevertheless, these devices function based on a distinct mechanism. Evaporative cooling involves evaporation of water absorbing heat from the surrounding area, which cools the nearby air and keeps conditions pleasant at low operating costs.
Swamp coolers come in models designed for individual rooms or entire houses. Despite their different sizes, they operate similarly: They use a fan to draw in outside air and pass it over reservoirs of water or moisture-laden pads before distributing the cooled air throughout your living space. For this process to work effectively, some areas of the house usually have slightly opened windows to allow hot air to escape, making way for the fresher, cooler air inside.
Evaporative cooling
serves well if you:
- Reside in a region with low humidity;
- Feel free to top up the water tanks/pads as needed.
- Savor having fresh, outdoor air flow throughout your house.
Ice Air Conditioners
We’ll conclude with a technology that’s more of an aspiration rather than something widely applicable.
Designed to operate alongside a regular air conditioner, these ice-based cooling systems essentially convert into freezers during nighttime hours, turning their internal water supply into blocks of ice. Throughout the daytime, a fan circulates air across this frozen mass, assisting the conventional AC unit in sustaining cooler temperatures more efficiently and reducing power consumption.
Ice air conditioners were created for regions where electricity prices fluctuate; they utilize nighttime freezing of water when rates are lowest to power cooling systems during peak hours.
The main producer of ice air conditioners is Ice Energy. In other words,
was
Ice Energy declaredChapter 7 bankruptcy in 2019. Even though persistent speculations have circulated within the sector, so far, nobody has come forward to take their place.
If you’re interested in learning more about how ice can be used for air conditioning, take a look at
This summary provided by the Department of Energy
This article concentrates on the “Ice Bear” model designed for commercial buildings, whereas the “Ice Cube” model was aimed at residential properties. Over time, compressor units and heat exchanger pumps placed on concrete slabs might sink or tilt. Below are some suggestions to address a settling issue.
air conditioner pad
.
Adding ice storage as a supplement to your air conditioning might be attractive if you:
- Are environmentally conscious;
- Eager to stay at the forefront of air conditioning technology?
- Reside in a region where electricity costs fluctuate;
- Are you prepared to conduct the necessary research to locate alternative installers or manufacturers?
