When you first start looking for a new air conditioning system for your home, it becomes abundantly clear that there are a lot of options out there. Three common household cooling systems are the central air conditioner, heat pump, and ductless mini-split. Let’s explore each of these systems to help you make a better-informed decision about which one is right for your home.
Central Air Conditioner
One of the most well-known air conditioning systems for home cooling is the central air conditioner. This unit seamlessly integrates with an existing forced-air heating system, such as a furnace. Central air conditioners rely on ductwork to move air throughout your home. They have an indoor air handler unit that’s positioned near your furnace and an outdoor condenser unit.
The indoor air handler unit extracts heat from the air inside your home via refrigerant. The outdoor condenser unit pumps refrigerant from inside to the outdoor unit where heat is removed and disposed of into the outdoor air. A typical central air conditioner uses one thermostat to control the temperature throughout your entire home. You can opt to upgrade your ductwork to add different zones for more flexibility. However, this is an expensive upgrade that most homeowners choose not to retrofit into the old ductwork.
Central air conditioners come in standard and high-efficiency models, with the latter being more expensive. The seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER2) of standard units ranges between 14 and 17. High-efficiency central air conditioners can reach SEER2 ratings from 18 all the way up to 21 or more. Those with a higher rating bring you more energy savings throughout the summer.
Heat Pump
Heat pumps are becoming an increasingly popular option for homeowners because they provide both heating and cooling. Instead of having to purchase a separate air conditioner and heater, you can enjoy purchasing one unit that takes care of all your comfort needs throughout the entire year. Heat pumps operate very similarly to central air conditioners, as they extract heat from your home and move it to the outdoors during the summertime.
Heat pumps rely on ductwork to deliver cold air throughout all the rooms of your home. These systems can offer SEER2 ratings of 14 to 17 for standard efficiency models and 18 or more for high-efficiency models. One fact to realize with ducted heat pumps and central air conditioners is they’re susceptible to air losses through gaps or leaks in their ducting. The EPA suggests aged ducting could be increasing the average summertime cooling bill by 30%.
Ductless Mini-Split
Ductless mini-split systems are slightly different from traditional heat pumps because they don’t use ductwork to distribute air throughout your home. Rather, they use multiple indoor air handler units that specifically treat air in a particular room of your home. Ductless mini-splits rely on the same technology as heat pumps, meaning they can provide both heating and cooling for your home for optimal comfort all year long.
Mini-splits are available with a few different types of indoor air handler units, so you can customize them to fit your indoor aesthetic needs. These include wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, and floor-mounted air handler units. Ductless mini-splits are a popular solution for homes that don’t have ductwork. They’re very easy to retrofit without the need for any extensive home alterations, so the AC installation process is quick compared to a central system.
Ductless mini-splits have SEER2 ratings of 15 to 18 for standard models and 20 to 25 or more for high-efficiency units. One major advantage of ductless mini-splits is they don’t use ducting, so they’re not prone to rising energy costs due to ductwork air losses.
Choosing Your Ideal AC System
The best air conditioning system for your home comes down to determining what your budget is and your needs. Homeowners who already have a forced-air heating system that’s fairly new tend to invest in a central air conditioner, as it’s the most cost-effective option.
Those who have an aging heating system that relies on ductwork tend to consider heat pumps, as they provide a one-unit solution that can utilize their existing infrastructure to function. Ductless mini-splits are most popular for homes that lack traditional ductwork and home additions and offsets, like garages or sheds.
Expert AC Installation Service
Weather Masters Corp. provides expert AC installation service for the Frederick, MD community. Our technicians can gladly assist with all your AC repair, replacement, and maintenance needs. Call us today to book your next service appointment.
