Which Type of AC Is Right for Me?

It’s hot, hot, hot! Our ACs are working overtime and they could be on the fritz. If you need to replace your air conditioner this summer, we can help! At Barber Heating & Air, we are dedicated to maintaining and installing the perfect heating and/or cooling system for your home. If you’re interested in how we can meet the energy needs for your Burlington or Chapel Hill, NC home, request a quote or call us at (336) 226-6959.

Types of Air Conditioners 

Picking the right one for your home can be daunting. Thankfully, there are many different options on the market. 

Window air conditioners

This type of air conditioner, normally mounted in a window, has an exhaust system which pushes hot air out the back and sides, while the refrigerant cooling system is pointed indoors. These units cool one room at a time, and if you have a large home, you may need one of these installed in each room you want cooled. Largely inexpensive, these are still the most popular option for those who live in small homes or apartments. Another advantage of the window unit is that they can be moved between rooms as necessary and removed altogether in colder months.

Central air conditioning 

For those with a large home who want to cool many rooms at once, central air conditioning or “central air” as it’s commonly known, is going to be the most effective form of air conditioning.

The system begins with a cooling compressor, which is located outside of the home and is the piece that actually cools the air. A coil filled with refrigerant is used to cool the air, which is then blown by a fan and distributed throughout your house through your established ductwork.

Using these supply and return ducts, central air conditioning circulates the cool air through a building while warm air is then carried back through the return system and pushed out of the house through an exhaust system.

Your central air conditioning system will use the same system of ducts that your heating system uses to direct air from the furnace. 

Portable Air Conditioners

Similar to window air conditioners, portable air conditioners are another example of a “unitary” or self-contained air conditioning system. What this means is that like window units, portable air conditioners have all of their important components contained within one appliance.These units are most commonly used in situations where either the design of a room or building rules and regulations prevent the installation of a window unit. The way these work is by cooling the air with a condenser coil contained inside the unit and then sending the warm air out through a large exhaust hose that connects the unit to an airtight window kit, directing the exhaust outdoors. These window kits are usually included with the unit.

Through-the-Wall Air Conditioners 

Just like window air conditioners, through-the-wall air conditioners bring in warm air which is then exhausted, while they send cool air back into the room. Like window units and portable air conditioners, these are self-contained or “unitary” systems. For those without accessible windows, through-the-wall air conditioners are a viable option but require some planning because unlike window units, they will be mounted permanently and cannot be removed.

Ductless Split System

“Split systems” are the air conditioners that provide cooling to different “zones” within a home. These systems, unlike window units or portable air conditioners, are not self-contained appliances, but as the name suggests, are comprised of a two-part system. These are most commonly used in buildings without a comprehensive duct system.

Evaporative Coolers 

Evaporative Coolers, sometimes referred to as “swamp coolers,” aren’t nearly as common as refrigerant air conditioners, but can be equally as effective. Unlike traditional air conditioners, which use a refrigerant, commonly referred to as Freon, swamp coolers use only air and water. Simply put, when air passes above or through water, the air is cooled. With this in mind, evaporative coolers pull hot air into your house through moistened pads, which cools the air. This cooled air is then distributed throughout your house.

As you can tell, there are many types. At Barber Heating & Air, we can help you figure all this out and install ACs quickly and easily without costing you thousands. So escape the heat (or in the winter, the cold!) in your personal space with a new AC today. Request a quote or call us today at (336) 226-6959, or visit us at https://www.barberheatingandair.com/ today!