Air conditioners have one purpose; to make your home more comfortable and livable, especially during summer and when temperatures are usually very high. The AC is, therefore, a piece of critical equipment your home cannot do without.
Not only does it regulate temperatures in a room, but it also aids in controlling some respiratory conditions such as asthma. There are basically two main types of air conditioners: room and central AC. Each type has its own pros and cons.
Below is a list of some air conditioners types found in many homes:
1. Window Air Conditioners
This is a popular air conditioner type that is quite common during the summer. It is mounted on windows by fitting it with a cooling system facing inside the room and an exhaust system that forces hot air out through the back and sides.
Although window air conditioners only regulate temperatures in one room at a time, they are very popular, especially among homeowners due to their low costs. This type of air conditioner is portable and hence can be moved from one room to another. On the flip side, the window on which the unit is mounted temporarily loses its function.
2. Central Air Conditioning
This type of air conditioning can effectively cool several rooms at the same time. This air conditioner type is popular among large homeowners. The cooling process starts with the cooling compressor located outside the home. It then moves to the coil holding the refrigerant that cools the air. Finally, the fan blows the refrigerant throughout your home. This downside of this AC is that it is expensive and requires professional installation.
3. Portable Air Conditioners
These are self-contained air conditioning units. They are popular, especially in areas where regulations and rules prohibit the installation of window units. They are fitted with condenser coils that cool the air, and an exhaust hose that forces warm air out.
These air conditioner types are typically noisier than other air conditioners since both the condenser and evaporator fans are located inside a single casing. They are only effective in rooms that are 500 square feet and below. They are also usually light and come fitted with wheels, which make mobility easy.
4. Through the Wall Air Conditioners
Like the window and portable air conditioners, these are unitary systems. They are permanently mounted by cutting a hole from the outside and inserting the sleeve. The function of the sleeve is to offer added support to the weight of the air conditioner. Due to the work that goes into the installation, you will need the help of a professional to install this AC.
5. Ductless Split System Air Conditioners
This type of ACs cool different parts of a home and are prevalent in buildings that lack comprehensive duct systems. A split system air conditioner is generally made of two or more parts: a condenser unit and an evaporative or compact blower unit.
Every compact unit has its own thermostat, which makes it possible to cool different rooms at different temperatures. It is, however, more expensive than the central air conditioning system.
6. Package Terminal Air Conditioners
Abbreviated as PTAC, these systems are highly popular, especially in commercial spaces. However, they are also used in homes. They are often installed slightly above the floor or slightly below a window. They come fitted with an exhaust system that forces hot air outside a building. Its compressor system can either cool or heat up a room depending on your need.
7. Heat Pump
This AC can either cool or warm a room. There are two types of heat pumps: air Source heat pump, which draws air from the outside or releases the heat from the inside, and the geothermal heat pump, which is also referred to as a ground source heat pump. The two work by drawing the heat from the earth or by pushing it back for a warmer or cooler room.
8. Evaporative Air Conditioners
Evaporative ACs are also known as swap coolers. They offer a low cost, energy saving solution to cooling a home. They function best in extremely dry and hot climates. They are fitted with a fan that pulls air from the outside through a wet pad where evaporation occurs. The resultant fresh air is then circulated throughout a room.
9. Geothermal Cooling
This is a relatively new technology that is becoming extremely popular globally. Generally, the ground maintains a temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit regardless of the weather. It is this temperature that geothermal coolers use to either cool or warm room.
An air conditioner can literally be a life saver. If you are looking for the right air conditioner for your home, you will find a market flooded with different options. To get the ideal cooling system for your home, you will need first to consider several factors. These include capacity, air quality, energy efficiency and product price, installation and maintenance.
