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 a number of AC replacement options you can get.

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 also choose to 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. To install ductless mini-splits, the HVAC technician just needs to make a three-inch hole in the wall, which makes this a comparatively easy installation process. 

Plus, ductless mini-splits don’t have to be installed right next to the outdoor unit. The indoor evaporator can be located up to 50 feet away. 

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

• Offers less performance than central AC in extreme weather
• Visible in each room
• Costs more than central air conditioning for the same cooling capacity
• Requires a place to drain the condensate water

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. 

To give you an idea of the BTUs required for your home, here are the BTUs needed for different home sizes. 

1,000-square-foot homes: 20,000 BTUs

1,500-square-foot homes: 30,000 BTUs

2,000-square-foot homes: 40,000 BTUs

Additionally, each type of air conditioner has a standard BTU range. While this can vary from brand to brand, you’ll generally find the following ranges:

Central air conditioners: 18,000 to 60,000 BTUs 

Ductless mini-splits: 9,000 to 36,000 BTUs

Portable ACs: 7,000 to 14,000 BTUs 

Window units: 5,000 to 25,000 BTUs

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.

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. All units should get an AC tune-up at least once a year. You should also be changing or cleaning the filter every 30 to 90 days, depending on the manufacturer’s specifications. However, some units may have specific maintenance requirements.

Research the Cost 

Whether you’re looking at 24-hour AC repair or ductwork installation expenses, getting an air conditioner is an investment. A good central air conditioner can last 15 to 20 years if it is taken care of well.

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. A more energy-efficient unit will often have a higher price upfront, but you’ll save money in the long run on your utility bills. 

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.

How to Research Different Types of AC Units

Figuring out the best air conditioner installation for your home doesn’t have to be daunting. There are a few key ways you can figure out which AC is right for your needs.

Ask a Friend or Family Member

Many of your friends and family members have experience shopping for air conditioning units. You can ask them what their experience was like and which unit they eventually chose. Additionally, you can see what the long-term air conditioning repair costs will be like for each kind of AC and if they have any regrets. 

Talk to an HVAC Technician 

A professional HVAC technician has experience working with many different kinds of air conditioners. If you are concerned about which type of AC is right for your family, you can ask them for advice about their favorite models.

Look at Professional Reviews

Some review providers do a good job of comparing air conditioning units. Architectural Digest and Consumer Reports are both known for providing in-depth reviews of air conditioners and other HVAC equipment. 

Read Customer Testimonials 

You can also check customer testimonials to see what other customers thought of different air conditioner types. For example, Central Oregon Cooling has many reviews on Google, our social media pages, and our website that you can check out for information about different products and services. 

Determine Your Needs 

The most important factor in determining which AC you should get is your family’s needs. Start by calculating the BTUs needed to cool your home. Then, figure out your budget and whether you have existing ductwork. If you need help figuring out which air conditioners will work, you can always reach out to an AC installation contractor for extra help. 

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. Modern air conditioners are incredibly energy efficient, so updating your current AC can save you money on your energy costs. 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 AC installation feels daunting, we can help you explore all of the options available for your home. To learn more, reach out to Central Oregon Cooling today.