Central Air Conditioning Installation Options
When you need a new air conditioner, you may feel like simply swapping the old equipment out with a similar but modern setup. However, that instinct may not serve you as well as you’d like. There are several central air options on the market today.
Choosing the best central air conditioning installation for your home or business will create the most comfortable setting possible at maximum energy efficiency. Below are the most popular air conditioning options available today.
Standard Air Conditioner
The standard air conditioner cooling system consists of an outdoor condensing unit and an indoor air handler. Evaporator coils in the air handler pull heat from the air inside a home or building and send it to the compressor outside. Once the condensing unit releases heat from the refrigerant, it travels back through the system to deliver cool air throughout your home or office.
Heat Pump System
The heat pump system works just like the standard air conditioner, except it does double duty. During the summer, it pulls heat from the inside of the dwelling and releases it outside. During the winter, it extracts heat from the air outside and delivers it to the indoor setting.
Heat pump systems are perfect for homes that deal with notably hot summers and cold winters. Keep in mind that a heat pump central air system will run all year. If you don’t think your home needs year-round air conditioning, it may be best to consider other options.
Ductless Air Conditioner Systems
Another option for air conditioning installation is a ductless air conditioner. Ductless air conditioner setups consist of an outdoor compressor that connects to multiple indoor air handlers. Each room or area of a home or office has a separate air handler unit that cools a specific space. Ductless air conditioning systems are exceptionally energy efficient.
Air conditioning systems that rely on ducts lose efficiency due to cracks or leaks in the ductwork. As the air handler blows cool air through the ductwork, much of the air escapes through these cracks. The air conditioner must work harder to get your space to a comfortable temperature when this happens.
Ductless systems also have special compressors that alter their performance speed to suit the system’s requirements. Ordinary AC compressors operate at one constant speed, hindering efficiency.
Ductless systems are ideal for homes that lack ductwork because they eliminate the need for costly renovations. Using ductless air conditioning is also a great way to get cool air to areas that do not connect to a pre-existing AC system. An attic, cellar, garage, or a recent addition to a home can benefit from a new ductless air conditioning installation while the rest of the house uses the current AC system.
You may consider switching from a standard central air system to a fully ductless system. Some homes rely on window-mounted air conditioner units to cool specific areas. A ductless AC system can improve energy efficiency, home security, and aesthetics in these homes.
Geothermal Cooling Systems
Geothermal systems are the leading cooling system in energy efficiency by a wide margin. A large loop of underground pipes utilizes the consistent temperature below the earth’s surface. The piping forms a heat exchanger, using environmentally friendly antifreeze to heat and cool your home or workplace.
Heating and cooling account for roughly 50% of a household’s utility bills. Geothermal systems drastically reduce these costs because they don’t rely on oil or gas. Geothermal systems can also heat the water supply in your home or office, adding more savings to your utility bills.
