Is a higher energy efficiency rating always better? Should you splurge on a warranty or extra features?
A typical air conditioner can last more than 15 years. It’s an investment in your home and your family’s future comfort, so it’s important to take time to consider the best kind of AC for your needs.
To determine the right AC for you, begin by identifying the basic type of air conditioner that fits your needs. Then, consider a few factors that set different air conditioners apart. With a bit of planning you and your family can soon enjoy the best products and AC installation Portland offers.
The Basic Types of Air Conditioners
While there are many different brands and styles of air conditioning systems, there are four key types. When investing in AC installation in Portland homes, you can choose between central air conditioners, ductless mini-splits, portable air conditioners, and window units.
Central Air Conditioners
A central air conditioner has an indoor and outdoor unit. The outdoor unit has a heat exchanger, compressor, and fan. Meanwhile, the indoor unit contains the blower and indoor heat exchanger.
Technically, central air conditioners can be designed as split systems or packaged systems. The main difference is that package systems include everything in an outdoor unit to save space. Split systems have an indoor and outdoor unit.
Once the air is cooled, the AC circulates air throughout your home using ducts, registers, and vents. To cool air, a central air conditioner uses the following process:
- After the temperature drops below your desired level, the thermostat signals your system to turn on.
- A fan in your indoor units brings air in through the return ducts. In order to remove dust, allergens, and contaminants, this air is passed through a filter.
- The air then travels over the cold evaporator coil. This coil is cooled by the refrigerant. If there isn’t enough refrigerant, it will struggle to do its job.
- Afterward, a blower fan sends the freshly cooled air into the rooms.
- Meanwhile, the warmed-up refrigerant uses copper tubing to reach the compressor.
- The compressor compresses the refrigerant and sends it outdoors to the condenser coil.
- Next, the refrigerant turns back into a liquid as it releases the stored heat.
- To continue the process of cooling your house, the refrigerant returns to the evaporator coil.
Pros
- Great for comfort and efficiency
- Can cool your home on the hottest of days
- Cleans the air
- Uses less space inside your home
- Good for your home’s aesthetics
- Quiet noise levels
Cons
- More expensive than window units
- Costs more if you don’t have existing ducts
- Higher energy costs if you don’t need every room cooled
Ductless Mini-Splits
When you talk to an air conditioning maintenance company in Portland, you may also want to ask about getting ductless mini-splits. Like central ACs, ductless mini-splits require regular maintenance. After you have a ductless mini-split installed, our air conditioning maintenance company can help with your annual tune-ups.
This kind of system is often used by homeowners who don’t have ductwork installed already. Ductless mini-splits use small units in each room instead of one central system. The fan and evaporator are in an indoor unit that is linked to the compressor unit outdoors through refrigerant lines.
Pros
- No need for ductwork
- Holes are only 3” in diameter for the refrigerant lines
- Individual zones for personalized temperature control
- Easy installation
- Versatile for your home’s configuration
- Low noise
Cons
- Increased space requirements to install a unit in each zone
- Less efficient in large spaces
Portable Air Conditioners
Portable air conditioners are small units that go in individual rooms. They have to vent heat through a window, so there are limitations to where you can place a portable air conditioner.
Like other air conditioners, portable ACs use refrigerants, air compressors, and coils to transfer hot air away from your home’s interior. They are only designed to work in a limited area, so you won’t be able to cool an entire home with a single unit.
Pros
- Often cost-effective for studio apartments and small spaces
- Simple to install
- Inexpensive upfront costs
- Good if you only need to cool a single room
- Can be wheeled from one space to another
- Easy to store during the winter
Cons
- Less energy efficient than other options
- Can’t cool a large space
- Requires multiple units
Window Units
Window units are similar to portable air conditioners, but they have a slightly different design. Instead of being placed next to a window like a portable AC they’re installed in the window. While this means window units don’t have to take up your limited floor space, a window installation makes them harder to remove during the winter.
Like portable units, window units have a low installation cost. In exchange for this lower cost, you will generally pay more money on your electricity bill. While central air conditioners and ductless mini-splits have higher installation costs, they are significantly more efficient at cooling your entire home than window units.
Pros
- Low upfront installation costs
- Works for small spaces and studio apartments
- Quick installation
Cons
- Less energy efficient
- Appearance
- Unable to cool multiple rooms and large spaces
- Noise
- Takes up an entire window
What to Look for in an Air Conditioner
If you’re looking for the best air conditioner replacement, there are a few things you should consider. The size of your home, insulation, climate, and other factors can influence the kind of air conditioner you choose. Take time to consider your personal situation before picking out an air conditioning unit.
Size and Capacity
British thermal units (BTUs) are a measure of your air conditioner’s cooling capacity. As a general rule, you want to have about 20 BTUs for every square foot of living space. This amount can vary based on the climate, your home’s location, and your personal preferences.
Depending on your home size, you’ll need the following BTUs to cool your home efficiently.
- 1,000 square feet: 20,000 BTUs
- 1,500 square feet: 30,000 BTUs
- 2,000 square feet: 40,000 BTUs
- 2,500 square feet: 50,000 BTUs
Energy Efficiency
Some air conditioners are considered more efficient than others. An easy way to see if your unit is energy efficient or not is to check for an ENERGY STAR certification. The government provides this designation to air conditioners that require less energy to run. An ENERGY STAR model is required to use at least 8% less power than a conventional model.
Other than the ENERGY STAR certification, you can see how efficient an air conditioner is by looking at its seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). Depending on where you live in the country, you must have a minimum of 14 or 15 SEER. However, a higher SEER indicates a more efficient air conditioner.
Maintenance and Repair Requirements
While the best AC maintenance makes tune-ups easy, you generally want to install a unit that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance or repair work. Installation requirements can vary based on the brand, AC type, and how much you use your AC. Before you invest in a new air conditioner, talk to an HVAC technician about which models have lower AC repair and maintenance costs.
Noise Levels
While central air conditioners and ductless mini-splits are known for being quiet, portable ACs and window units tend to be louder. If you dislike having ongoing sounds around you, it’s important to consider the noise level before you purchase a specific air conditioner.
Additional Features
There are many different features you can get in modern air conditioners. For example, smart thermostats allow you to program the AC’s temperature for when you are home, away, and asleep. You can even shut off the AC using a mobile app.
Sometimes, homeowners invest in added air filtration and purification when they get an AC. With HEPA filters, you can get rid of up to 99.97% of dust, mold, bacteria, and pollen that are at least 0.3 microns in size or larger. You may also want to investigate getting dehumidifiers and humidifiers for your HVAC system.
Cost
When considering the cost of a new AC, you need to look at more than the upfront price. An energy-efficient model may have a higher upfront price, but you will end up saving money on your electricity bill in the long run.
In addition, you should consider the emergency AC repair needs and ongoing maintenance costs. Investing in a better model can reduce future repair costs.
Installation Needs
When considering a new air conditioner, you may need to install ductwork. Take a look at your home’s configuration to see if ductwork for a central AC or ductless mini-splits can be installed. You’ll also want to consider the overall installation requirements and cost.
Warranties and Guarantees
As you consider the best type of air conditioner for your needs, take a look at the warranty. A long, comprehensive warranty can save you money on long-term AC repair costs and provide you with considerable peace of mind.
Brand
The AC brand can also impact how effective it is at cooling your home. While there are some great low-end models, some brands have a reputation for being more reliable. If you’re uncertain about which option to buy, one of our HVAC experts can talk to you about brands and your AC installation needs.
FAQs
Over the years, we’ve helped countless customers find the best AC type for their needs. Below are some of the most common questions we have heard.
Are More BTUs Better for Your Air Conditioner?
BTUs are units of energy that measure an AC’s cooling capacity. Higher BTUs indicate a higher cooling capacity. However, more BTUs aren’t always better.
If the BTUs are too high, it can increase the humidity in your home. An oversized AC will also turn off and on more frequently because it will reach the desired cooling temperature right away. Over time, this can cause additional wear and tear on your air conditioner.
Likewise, you don’t want an AC that has too few BTUs. An undersized AC will have to stay on for longer to reach the same temperature, which increases the likelihood you’ll need to get air conditioner repair services in Portland quite often.
What Is the Most Efficient Type of Air Conditioner?
If you don’t have ducts already, ductless mini-splits are likely the most efficient option for your home. Central air conditioners make sense if you have ducts or space for installing ductwork.
At Central Air, we service and install a range of air conditioning systems, including high-efficiency central AC units and state-of-the-art ductless mini-splits, tailored to meet your specific needs. However, both AC types are efficient ways to cool an entire home.
The type of AC isn’t the only factor influencing your energy efficiency. You can also look at the ENERGY STAR certification and SEER to see if a specific AC is energy efficient or not.
Which AC Is Easiest to Maintain?
Any AC you get will require annual maintenance. You will also need to clean the filter every 30 to 90 days based on the filter’s specifications. No matter what type of AC you purchase, you can get an HVAC technician to perform annual air conditioning maintenance so that you don’t have to.
What Is a Good Energy Efficiency Rating for an Air Conditioner?
Depending on where you live, the SEER should at least be 14 or 15. While the SEER can go even higher, you’ll normally see a maximum of 23 to 26. If you get a SEER of 20 or higher, you’ll be able to enjoy an excellent level of energy efficiency.
Find Out More About the Best Type of Air Conditioner to Use
With the top air conditioner repair Portland offers, you can fix and maintain your current AC. At Central Air, we can discuss your options for repairing and replacing your air conditioning system. To learn more about the best AC type for you, reach out to our HVAC experts today or read our comprehensive AC Guide for Summer in Portland.