If you’re thinking of buying a new air conditioner, it’s helpful to know about the different types of air conditioner on the market. Understanding the options available to you and the pros and cons of each will ensure that you make an informed decision.
Central air conditioner
Central air conditioners are the most common type of cooling system. They’re ideal if you have a large home and need to cool many rooms at once. Central air conditioners excel at efficient cooling. They work by circulating cool air through supply and return ducts. The supply ducts are mounted in your walls and floors and carry cooled air into your rooms. As the air becomes warm from the heat of your rooms, it returns via the supply ducts to be cooled again. This type of system is the most complex to install and requires expert professional assistance.
Window air conditioner
Window air conditioners are another very common cooling system. When you walk down a city street in summer, you can often see these installed in windows of buildings as you pass by. The advantage of window air conditioners is that they are a compact unit, cooling only one particular room. They work by blowing cool air into the room and sucking warm air out. They are ideal if you have a small home or flat. They can still be used for larger homes, but you should consider having one installed in every room that you need cooled.
Portable air conditioner
Portable air conditioners are similar to window air conditioners in that they are designed as a self-contained compact unit. Portable air conditioners take warm air from the room, cool it, then send the cooled air back into the room. The unit vents excess warm air outside with an exhaust hose which is installed in a window. These units are easy to install, versatile and very affordable. Their portability allows them to be easily moved between rooms according to your needs. As they need to have an evaporator fan to process any condensation, they can be a bit noisier than other air conditioners.
Evaporative cooler
Evaporative coolers are a less common option, but they can be very effective. Unlike traditional air conditioners, which use a refrigerant, evaporative coolers use only air and water. Evaporative coolers pull in hot air, and pass it through a series of water-soaked pads to cool it. The cooled air is then distributed around your home. As the technology behind them is so simple, these units are very cost-effective compared to other options. They can cost as little as half of a central air conditioner to purchase and save as much as 75% on running costs.
Geothermal heating and cooling
Geothermal heating and cooling systems use a new, energy-efficient technology and are rapidly gaining in popularity. Because of the earth’s insulating properties, the ground beneath you maintains a consistent temperature all year round. The geothermal system uses the ground’s temperature to heat and cool your home using an ‘earth loop’ which circulates water in between your home, the system and the earth. In the summer, heat from your home enters the system where excess heat is removed and channeled into the ground. In winter, heat is drawn from the ground and delivered into your home.
Need further advice, or are you ready to choose your new air conditioning unit? Either way, our team at JP Air Conditioning can help with advice and guidance. Find us on info@jpaircon.com or by calling us on 02083331191 and we’ll get you sorted.
