Cool Your Home the Right Way, By Following These Key Guidelines from Professional HVAC Technicians
Like any appliances or system you purchase, the perfect cooling system for you is one that works best for your home, lifestyle and budget.
With a wide range of cooling systems on the market today, choosing the right one for your home can be a difficult task. HVAC specialists can help you select the best air conditioner for your home and lifestyle, but there is no universal advice for every home. The best you can do is check out your top options to ensure that whatever you choose will keep you cool and comfortable, with minimal cost for years to come.
The best part is, it doesn’t have to take weeks of research and busy work to sort through the information. To help you prepare for your summer, we’ve compiled these easy guidelines to show you the best type of cooling systems available for your home.
Central Air Conditioning
Central air conditioning is the most common and widespread cooling system in U.S. homes. A central air cooling system uses a system of coils and a fan motor to absorb warm air inside the home through a ventilation system and pump it outside. The cooler air is pumped back into the house, reducing the temperature by up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. This leaves the inside of a house or room feeling cool and balanced, and with minimal humidity.
Pros of Central Air Conditioning
- Most efficient method in terms of regulating temperature in the home.
- Most cost-effective physical system for cooling a whole house.
- Most customizable system for individual comfort levels.
- Quiet and saves interior space; your central AC condenser is located outside your home.
Cons of Central Air Conditioning
- Maintenance. AC units require checking twice a year by a professional HVAC technician to run at peak efficiency.
- Can be expensive if ductwork is required for installation or if two units are required to cool a larger home.
Ductless Mini-Splits
If you need an effective ventilation solution, but you don’t have the existing ductwork for an air conditioning unit, a ductless mini-split could be the best cooling option for your home.
A ductless mini-split uses heat pumps to generate cold air. An outdoor compressor pulls hot air out and pumps the cool air back inside. Like a central AC unit, part of the ductless mini-split sits outside of the house and uses refrigerant coils and air handler units connected to the home’s interior to cool the inside.
Pros of Ductless Mini-Splits
- Efficiency. Mini-splits are compact and can be installed almost anywhere. They are also more efficient than portable window units.
- Most-energy efficient cooling system.
- Dual functionality. Due to the heat pump, these systems can be used for both heating and cooling.
- Doesn’t require installing ductwork. In homes without forced-air HVAC, a central AC isn’t possible without adding costly ductwork. Mini-splits don’t need ductwork.
- Great for additions or accessory dwelling units. You don’t need to extend ductwork elsewhere to cool your space.
- Quiet and space-saving. Mini-splits are quite small, with the loudest components located outside the home.
Cons of Ductless Mini-Splits
- Expensive. The technology that makes these cooling systems so efficient and effective means it comes at a cost, so ductless mini-splits are often more expensive than window or portable units.
- Capacity. You may need multiple mini-splits in your home, depending on the size and number of rooms.
- Installation. This system is installed with drilling and wall mounting by a professional HVAC technician. It will permanently take up room on a wall in your home.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling, by moving warm air between the house and the outdoors. They provide a more energy efficient alternative to traditional air conditioning and can cut down on electricity costs by as much as 40% compared to a standard AC unit.
Heat pumps work by pulling out warm air from your interior and pumping it outside – this process can also effectively be reversed and used to heat a home in winter. Additionally, heat pumps can be installed in either ducted or ductless systems, meaning they are a great solution for a wide range of homes.
Pros of Heat Pumps
- Can be installed in homes with an existing ventilation system or without.
- Energy-efficient. Heat pumps use electricity for heat transfer and the hot or cold air is evenly distributed throughout your home.
- Dual functionality. These systems can be used for both heating and cooling, so you get more bang for your buck, so to speak.
Cons of Heat Pumps
- Not as powerful in heating an entire home in colder climates. As a solitary heating or cooling system for a home, they are best suited for areas that have moderate winters. Kansas City-area winters are moderate to severe, depending on the year.
- Slower to cool. A heat pump will cool a house more gradually than central air conditioning or a ductless mini split.
- Noise. Some heat pump owners report that they are a little noisier when compared to other systems.
- Heat pumps tend to be more expensive upfront, although most people report a return on their investment fairly quickly after installation.
Window Air Conditioning Units
Window air conditioners are popular as they are affordable. They’re an easy, quick fix for people searching for a simple cooling solution for a smaller space. They’re also convenient to purchase and install yourself; you can find them at any hardware or big box retailer.
Window air conditioners use the same mechanism as central air, with the big difference being that they are more compact and designed to be portable. Like central air conditioners, they use electricity to create refrigeration that removes heat from the room, pushing the warmer air outside.
Pros of Window AC Units
- DIY-friendly. Window air conditioning units do not require installation by a professional HVAC technician, and usually just needs a window and a suitable electrical outlet.
- Inexpensive. These units have a relatively low upfront cost and are sometimes cheapest to operate.
- Efficient. As long as they’re kept clean, these units typically have good cooling efficiency.
- Versatile. Window AC units come in a choice of shapes and sizes to fit almost any window or room size.
Cons of Window AC Units
- Limited effectiveness. Window units will only effectively cool the room they’re in, meaning that they are not a solution for a whole-house cooling system.
- Window units will limit the function of the window they’re installed in, and will block out light and some indoor space.
- Noisy. Window units can be noisy, especially compared to central AC units and mini-splits.
- Results vary. High ceilings, poor insulation and lots of sun exposure can easily impact the effectiveness of window units.
- Inconvenient. Although easy to install, you’ll need to remove the units from your windows before winter and store them indoors between seasons.
Whole House Fan or Attic Fan
Depending on the climate, whole house fans, also called attic fans, work as a great substitute for central air cooling systems. Whole house fans, usually located in the ceiling of the upper level of the home, use ventilation such as open windows, to bring cooler air into the home and expel the warmer air outside of the home through the roof.
While these fans don’t run automatically like many AC systems, when they are turned on they usually need just a few hours to circulate fresh air. This fan, combined with ceiling fans, can create a sufficient cooling system that can help your family feel comfortable even without the air conditioner on.
Pros of Whole House Fans
- Inexpensive to run. Attic fans can save a significant amount on cooling costs in comparison to central air conditioning.
- Operates when you need it. These fans do not have to be operated all the time. When the temperature is moderate and conditions are ideal, turning the fan on for a few hours is enough to cool a home down for a good period.
- Maintenance. Fans built with enclosed motors are virtually maintenance-free.
Cons of Whole House Fans
- Requires attic space and ventilation. Installation of a house fan can be difficult due to the amount of ventilation and attic space needed. A professional HVAC technician can determine whether your house is a candidate for one.
- Not for extreme temperatures or high humidity. An attic fan is not going to significantly lower the temperature when it’s very hot outside and does not lower humidity indoors.
- Attic framing is required for most models. Your attic cannot be insulated with asbestos-containing materials, like certain kinds of vermiculite, which is common in older homes.
- Manual operation only. It can’t be set to automatically cool the home like central AC.
- Noisy. Although newer models are significantly more quiet, older ones are known to be quite loud during operation.
Ask a HVAC Technician Near You About the Right Cooling System for Your Home
Finding the perfect cooling system for your home doesn’t have to be difficult! No matter what you choose, your best bet is to find a professional HVAC company or technician that you trust so you can rely on a team of experts to have your back and help you make an informed decision when the time comes.
Reach out to your nearest HVAC professional to guide you through the process and answer your questions on the right cooling system for your home. Before you know it, you’ll be kicking back with an icy drink while staying cool this summer.
