What is the best type of air conditioner to use?

If you live in Central Oregon, you need the right air conditioner installation to keep your home cool and comfortable during the summertime. Each structure is different, so it’s important to take the time to find an air conditioner that is right for your home. From central air conditioners to ductless mini-splits, there are several AC replacement options you can get.

The best type of air conditioner depends on your home and how you want to use it. Central AC is often a good fit for whole-home cooling when suitable ductwork is already in place, while ductless mini-splits work well for homes without ducts or where individual zoning is important. Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling, window units are practical for individual rooms, and portable ACs are generally better suited to temporary or supplemental cooling.

Key Takeaways

• The best type of air conditioner depends on your home’s ductwork, layout, cooling needs, heating needs, and budget.
• Central AC is often a good fit for whole-home cooling when suitable ductwork is already installed.
• Ductless mini-splits work well for homes without ductwork or when individual room or zone control is a priority.
• Heat pumps are worth considering if you want one system that provides both heating and cooling.
• Window and portable ACs are generally better suited to individual rooms, supplemental cooling, or temporary needs.
• Proper AC sizing requires a professional cooling-load calculation; square footage alone isn’t enough for selecting a whole-home system.
• Compare SEER2, installation quality, noise, zoning, maintenance, warranty, and total ownership cost rather than choosing an AC based only on price or efficiency rating.

What Are the Basic Types of Air Conditioners? 

While there are a handful of major types of air conditioners, there are many subtypes to choose from. There are different brands, features, and add-ons available, so take your time to research which option works best for your family. At Central Oregon Cooling, we can walk you through the different types so that you can find a new AC installation for your home. 

Central Air Conditioners 

When most people think about air conditioning, they generally think about central air conditioners. These air conditioners consist of an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, and a network of ductwork. With the help of refrigerant, heat is transferred from inside your home to the outside air.

Central air conditioners are quite efficient, but they can be difficult to install in a home that doesn’t have existing ductwork. They also have a higher upfront cost than a basic window unit. However, they are excellent at keeping the interior of your home as cool and comfortable as possible. 

Pros of Central Air Conditioners 

• Ensures consistent, even temperatures
• Provides filtered air
• Works well with smart thermostats
• Operates quietly 
• Offers an unobtrusive design

Cons of Central Air Conditioners 

• Costs more for electricity if you wouldn’t normally be cooling every room of your house
• Requires ductwork 
• Offers limited control of different zones
• Higher upfront installation costs

Ductless Mini-Splits

If you’re considering different AC types, you can also talk to one of our AC installation contractors about getting ductless mini-splits. This type of air conditioner is extremely popular in buildings that don’t have existing ductwork. Instead of outfitting an entire home, you can install ductless mini-splits in individual rooms. 

While these are a great choice if you want zoned control without needing any ductwork, central air conditioning may be a better choice if you have existing ductwork. Ductless systems require a wall penetration for the refrigerant lines, electrical wiring, and condensate drainage, but the exact installation requirements vary by equipment and home configuration.

Plus, ductless mini-splits don’t have to be installed right next to the outdoor unit. Allowable line-set lengths and the distance between indoor and outdoor equipment vary by manufacturer and system design. 

Pros of Ductless Mini-Splits

• Provides flexibility 
• Has a small size
• Offers zonal control of individual rooms
• Doesn’t have to be placed in every room
• More energy efficient than window units
• Provides ideal coverage for studios and small spaces

Cons of Ductless Mini-Splits

• Visible in each room
• Requires a place to drain the condensate water
• Performance and installed cost depend on equipment selection, outdoor conditions, number of indoor units, home layout, and installation requirements.

Heat Pumps

A heat pump is another important option for Central Oregon homeowners because it can provide both cooling and heating. During summer, it works similarly to an air conditioner by transferring heat from inside the home to the outdoors. In cooler weather, the process reverses to provide heating.

Heat pumps are available in ducted and ductless configurations, making them suitable for different home layouts. They can be particularly worth considering when you’re replacing both cooling and heating equipment or want one system that handles year-round comfort. System selection should account for home heating and cooling loads, existing ductwork, electrical requirements, and cold-weather performance.

Portable Air Conditioners

A portable air conditioner is an individual unit that you can easily move from room to room. It does not have the same cooling capacity as central air conditioning units or ductless mini-splits. In most cases, a portable air conditioner will be able to cool a small- to normal-sized room. If you try to cool a larger area than that, it won’t work effectively.

However, the small size and portable nature are ideal if you live in an apartment. If you know that you’ll be moving to a different house in the future, it may be better to buy a portable unit that you can bring with you. 

Pros of Portable Air Conditioners 

• Costs less upfront
• Can be installed on your own
• Rolls easily to different rooms 
• Can be moved from one rental to another

Cons of Portable Air Conditioners

• Uses energy less efficiently than other types of ACs
• May need to have water drained frequently, depending on the settings and location
• Can’t handle large spaces
• May not be powerful enough to keep up with extremely hot days
• Must be near a window to vent heat outdoors
• Creates a lot more noise than ductless mini-splits or central air conditioners

Window Units 

As you consider your AC maintenance and installation needs, you may also want to look into getting window units. While these units are similar to portable ACs, there is a key difference. Instead of being placed on the floor of a room, window units are installed in the window itself.

Like portable ACs, window units create heat that has to be vented into the outside air. The location makes this venting process easier. However, your homeowners’ association or landlord may have specific rules about window units. Because they are installed in your window, they can’t be moved to a new home as easily as portable air conditioners. 

Pros of Window Units

• Works well for small spaces
• Costs less to install 
• Can be transported if you move to a new apartment

Cons of Window Units

• Cools ineffectively in large spaces
• Produces a louder noise than central air conditioners 
• Can’t be used in multiple rooms 
• May not be allowed in certain apartment buildings or homeowners’ associations

How to Decide Which Type of AC Is Right for You?

When deciding which type of AC unit you should get, you should look at a number of factors. For example, you may want to look at how air conditioning repair costs change for different AC types. New AC installation costs and space requirements will also vary. 

If you’re not sure what you’re looking for in your next AC, you can always talk to an AC installation contractor at Central Oregon Cooling. We can help you understand the different types of ACs and the benefits of each model.

Consider the BTU Range

One of the most important factors when looking at an AC is the British Thermal Units (BTUs). Basically, this figure can tell you what the cooling capacity of your air conditioning system is. 

In general, the number of BTUs you need is 20 times the square footage of the area you want to cool. However, this figure can vary based on where you’re located, your home’s insulation, personal preferences, and other factors. 

Get the AC Sizing Right

Whole-home AC sizing shouldn’t be based on square footage alone. A professional cooling-load calculation considers factors such as home size and layout, insulation, air leakage, window size and orientation, sun exposure, local conditions, and other sources of heat gain.

An undersized air conditioner may struggle to maintain the desired temperature during higher cooling loads. An oversized system can cycle on and off too frequently, which may affect comfort, efficiency, humidity control, and equipment performance.

BTU-based room-sizing guidance can still be useful when comparing window or portable air conditioners, but whole-home central AC, heat pump, and ductless systems should be properly sized for the home’s actual cooling load.

Compare Efficiency and Comfort Features

For central ACs and heat pumps, compare the system’s SEER2 efficiency rating along with how the equipment operates. Higher-efficiency equipment can reduce energy use under the right conditions, but the highest SEER2 rating isn’t automatically the best value for every home.

Inverter and variable-speed systems can adjust output as cooling demand changes instead of operating only at full capacity. Depending on the equipment and installation, this can support more consistent temperatures, quieter operation, and improved efficiency.

Look at Your Cooling Needs 

Next, you should consider your personal cooling needs. Do you need around-the-clock air conditioning? Or, are you just looking for a little cooling on the hottest days of the year? 

You should also think about your family’s needs. Often, people feel comfortable at different temperature levels. If two of your family members prefer drastically different temperatures, you may want to consider getting ductless mini-splits.

Also consider the condition of existing ductwork, home layout, insulation, window performance and sun exposure, preferred noise levels, zoning needs, and whether you also need new heating equipment. These factors can change which AC type makes the most sense even for homes of similar size.

Review the Installation Requirements 

Before you get an air conditioner, you should check out the AC tune-up, maintenance, repair, and installation requirements for each unit you’re considering. When it comes to air conditioner installation costs, the price can vary significantly. 

Many homeowners can install portable ACs and window units in their homes. In comparison, ductless mini-splits and central air conditioners generally require a professional technician to do the installation work. 

If you already have ducts, central air conditioners are quick to install. The price and time commitment are much higher if you don’t have ductwork installed already. 

Check Out the Maintenance Needs 

Next, you should also consider the AC maintenance needs of different systems. Maintenance requirements vary by equipment type and manufacturer. Central ACs, heat pumps, ductless systems, window units, and portable ACs don’t all have identical maintenance needs. Follow the manufacturer’s filter and maintenance recommendations, and schedule professional HVAC maintenance at the intervals appropriate for your installed system.

Research the Cost 

Whether you’re looking at 24-hour AC repair or ductwork installation expenses, getting an air conditioner is an investment. AC lifespan varies based on equipment, installation quality, usage, climate, maintenance history, and operating conditions. Consider expected maintenance and repair needs alongside upfront cost when comparing systems.

While the upfront cost is a necessary consideration, you should look at the average cost of maintaining it, how frequently you’ll have to replace the unit, and the amount you’ll spend on electricity. Higher-efficiency equipment may reduce cooling energy use, but actual savings depend on the system being replaced, equipment efficiency, sizing, installation quality, usage, utility rates, and home conditions. Compare total ownership costs rather than efficiency ratings alone.

Additionally, you can always talk to your AC installation contractor about current promotions and financing options. There are many different ways to make the overall cost more reasonable so that you can afford a unit that meets your comfort needs, home size, and energy-efficiency goals. 

Analyze the Brand and Features

Finally, you should consider the features associated with each unit and the various brands. For example, some air conditioners come with smart thermostats that allow you to program your cooling preferences for each time of the day. You may also want dehumidifiers, humidifiers, or air purifiers incorporated into your system.

What to Compare Before Buying an AC

Before choosing an air conditioner, compare more than the equipment’s price or brand. Important factors include:

• Professional cooling-load calculation and proper system sizing
• Condition and design of existing ductwork
• SEER2 and equipment operating characteristics
• Installation quality and contractor experience
• Noise levels
• Zoning and control options
• Warranty coverage
• Maintenance requirements
• Heating needs if considering a heat pump
• Upfront cost and expected total ownership costs

An HVAC professional can evaluate these factors together rather than recommending equipment based only on square footage or brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best type of air conditioner for a home?

There isn’t one best AC for every home. Central AC can work well with suitable ductwork, ductless mini-splits provide flexible zoning without ducts, and heat pumps are worth considering when both heating and cooling are needed.

Is central air better than a ductless mini-split?

It depends on the home. Central AC is often practical when suitable ductwork already exists, while ductless systems can be advantageous for homes without ducts or spaces requiring individual temperature control.

What is the best AC for a house without ductwork?

Ductless mini-splits are one of the primary whole-home or multi-zone options for homes without existing ducts. Heat pumps are also available in ductless configurations.

How do I know what size AC I need?

Whole-home AC sizing should be based on a professional cooling-load calculation rather than square footage alone. Insulation, windows, air leakage, sun exposure, layout, and other factors affect cooling demand.

Is a heat pump better than an air conditioner?

A heat pump provides heating and cooling, while a conventional central AC provides cooling. Which is better depends on your existing heating system, home, climate needs, installation requirements, and budget.

What should I compare when buying a new AC?

Compare sizing, ductwork, efficiency, installation quality, noise, controls, warranty, maintenance requirements, heating needs, and total ownership cost.

Discover the Best Type of Air Conditioner for Your Home

Whether you simply want to cool a studio apartment or need central air conditioning for an entire ranch, there are different air conditioner installation options available for your needs. The best type of air conditioner for your Central Oregon home depends on its cooling load, ductwork, layout, comfort preferences, heating needs, efficiency goals, and budget. Replacing an older system with properly sized, efficiently installed equipment may improve comfort and efficiency, but results depend on the home and equipment being replaced.

Plus, new ACs are less likely to break down than older models, so investing in an AC replacement can lower the amount you have to spend on repairs.

If getting a new air conditioning installation feels daunting, we can help you explore all of the options available for your home. Central Oregon Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical can evaluate your Bend or Redmond home, compare central AC, ductless, and heat pump options, and recommend a properly sized system for your needs. Contact our team to schedule an AC installation or replacement consultation.