Nearly 90 percent of homes in the U.S. today have some form of air conditioning.
Whether you are looking to add AC to your home for the first time or are replacing an aging or broken unit, you have a big decision to make. Will you add a single window AC unit, or cool your home with the use of central AC.
Keep reading to learn the difference between the two, and what you need to know to make your choice.
Window AC
When you want to cool a single room, are on a budget, or looking to get relief from the heat fast, a window air conditioner may be the best choice.
Window AC units are a quick and relatively inexpensive option for cooling a small space. While they aren’t an effective option for whole-house AC, they can be used to cool a particular room. For instance, if you’ve added a room onto your home or have a room where your house’s AC doesn’t reach, you might use a window unit to cool that particular room.
Window AC units are also fairly easy to install. Most homeowners will have no trouble installing the unit on their own in a short amount of time. This makes it a great option if you need to cool a room very quickly and don’t have time to wait for AC experts to arrive for an install.
Central Air Conditioner
For more effective cooling of both large and small spaces, nothing beats central air conditioning.
As the name suggests, central air conditioners cool the entire space. While window air units may leave warm spots on the opposite side of a room from where they are installed, central air conditioners spread cool air evenly throughout the space.
Central air is more expensive than a single-window air unit. However, if you need to cool an entire home, the cost may be comparable to buying many window units for each individual room.
Another benefit of whole house AC is the air filtering component. A central air unit will have built-in air filtering. This is to prevent dust and debris from entering the unit. But it has the added effect of trapping dust and other tiny debris to prevent it from circulating in your home.
Studies have shown that this air filtering can reduce symptoms of allergies for those living in the home. You will need to regularly replace your unit’s air filters to reap this benefit.
If you do opt for a central AC unit, you’ll want to hire a professional for your installation. Getting a new ac installed, and especially a central unit is complicated. A professional installation team will quickly and skillfully install your new AC to not only ensure that it runs right but to make sure that your unit fits seamlessly in your home.
Choosing Between Window Units or Central AC Units
Understanding the differences between window AC and central air can help you to make the right choice for your home.
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