It is that time of year again when many homeowners are thinking about upgrading their air conditioners. But what are the best types to consider? AC units are made to meet different standards. Installing the wrong size for your space will rack up your energy bill and leave your space not quite as comfortable as you need it to be. Choosing an AC system with the correct cooling capacity is the only way to get a solid return on your investment.
You have several options when it comes to choosing the best air conditioner for your needs. Are you trying to cool the whole home? Then an HVAC system would be ideal. Are you trying to cool down one or a few rooms? Window air conditioners can meet your needs. Many people turn to the professionals to help them make an informed decision.
The Basics of Air Conditioning
If you are wondering what is the best air conditioner option for cooling your room, you will need to understand some basic cooling terminology. Let’s start with BTUs. What are BTUs and how do they affect the cooling capacity?
British thermal unit (BTU) is a unit for measuring heat. You will often see BTU labeling on AC units. Window-mounted units, ductless systems, and other AC units are categorized by the number of BTUs they can remove from a room. BTUs are essential in determining what is the best air conditioner for your space. The level of BTUs needed will coincide with the amount of space a unit can efficiently cool.
Most units will range between 5,000 BTUs (cooling capacity of about 100 square feet) and 21,000 BTUs (cooling capacity of about 1000 square feet). Getting the right size is vital to ensuring function, energy efficiency, and comfort.
Choosing the wrong size will put undue wear and tear on your AC system and drive up your energy costs. Relying on trained and experienced air conditioning experts to get the best unit for your space is crucial.
To calculate the size of AC you need, figure out the square footage you want to cool. Multiply the floor length by width and then compare the room size to air conditioner’s BTU rating.
Other Considerations for Choosing the Right System
Additional factors to keep in mind when choosing a cooling system include
- Budget
- Physical or Structural Restrictions
- Noise Level
- Energy Efficiency
There are air conditioning units for every budget. Some units deliver better energy efficiency than others; others are outfitted with smart home features. Also consider if you want the AC unit to service the entire living space or have the flexibility to be moved from room-to-room.
Window air conditioners are the cheapest option although not necessarily the quietest. They don’t take up any floor space and are very energy efficient. Most include mounting and accordion panels so you can get the unit to fit a variety of window sizes and types. Similar to a window AC unit is Through the Wall AC units; they function similarly but are installed in the wall, allowing you to maintain use of your window, and cost a bit more.
A Portable AC unit is similar in cost and energy efficiency to window units but can be moved from room to room. It may require some way to vent the hot air outside, such as through a window, but there are ventless model that don’t require the hot air to be vented outdoors. These units are the loudest.
A middle-of-the-road budget option is Ductless Mini Split air conditioners. They are a great solution for rooms without windows or structures where you are unable to install ductwork for a central AC system. The units have two parts – an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. They can cool a single room or be linked to cool multiple rooms. The indoor unit will be mounted on a wall to provide cool air and the outdoor unit powers the system from an exterior wall or on ground level. They are moderately energy efficient.
The most expensive option is Central air conditioners. Many homes already have these installed and the required ductwork. They are efficient at cooling spaces with lots of square footage and cooling all the space at once. These are the quietest option but also the least energy efficient.
Proper Installation Is a Must
Once you decide what is the best air conditioner, you still have some decisions to make. Can you install it on your own? Would it be better to hire a professional?
In most cases, the latter option is the way to go. Proper installation is an absolute must if you want to get the most value from your air conditioning unit.
To help you make an informed decision about what is the best air conditioning for you, call Emperor Cooling & Heating. Emperor Cooling & Heating air conditioning experts can provide you with the best cooling options for your specific needs. Give us a call today at 770-797-5981 or contact us on our website.