Looking for an air conditioning solution for the summer can be a task arduous enough to make you break out in a sweat. Knowing which one to choose and how it might impact your energy bills are some of the questions that might leave you bewildered.
The major factor to consider here is finding a solution that is a good fit for your home’s cooling requirements. The other vital consideration is the energy efficiency ratio, which measures how well the cooling system operates when the temperature outside is 95 degrees. Although you can find an air conditioning solution with an energy star label at Brisbane Air Conditioning, you might not get appropriate return on your investment if your home is not adequately insulated.
Keeping these considerations in mind, here are the top 6 residential air conditioning solutions for summer:
1. Central Air Conditioning
A central air conditioning solution is one of the best known cooling systems in the United States. At least 75 percent of homeowners prefer this option. It is more like a giant refrigerator as it employs features similar to a refrigerant that changes from liquid to gas and back to liquid while traveling through the system’s tubes, thus collecting and giving out heat. It runs on electricity and can consume a lot of energy during the summers. So when purchasing a central air conditioner, choose one that is specially designed to be energy efficient in hot weather.
Its primary disadvantage is that it can be tough to retrofit into a building that was designed without the provision for air conditioning, and installing or replacing a new system can also be very expensive.
2. Ductless Mini-split
The ductless mini-split can be mounted on a wall and operated via remote control. It doesn’t have bulky ductwork, but requires an outdoor compressor. The refrigerant is circulated using tubing that connects both the outdoor and indoor units. The ductless mini-split is not as compact as the central a/c, but it is very efficient because each unit is distinct and controlled independently. An additional advantage is that it is able to provide heating for your household as well.
Professional installers estimate that the installation budget for a 1,500 square foot house should range between $1,800 – $7000. Similar to the central air, you need to procure the services of a professional installer when fitting it. It is also important to make provision for an annual maintenance check.
3. Window Unit
These are a/c solutions that are quite inexpensive and easy to install directly into your window. They are also some of the most popular options for cooling your personal space. Their prices range from $129 for a decent small unit that would suffice for a 150 square foot room, to $599 for larger units covering a space of up to 1,600 square feet.
Window air conditioners are quite energy-efficient, and just like portable ones, they give you the freedom to cool a particular area of the room so you can save money. Window air conditioners are a reliable option for central air conditioning.
4. Smart Air Conditioner
A smart air conditioner makes life easy since you can control your window unit with a smartphone. Some of them have apps where you type in commands and the smart air conditioner responds. For controlling home systems and central a/c, the sleek Nest is one of the best options that’s also preferred by a lot of people. It has useful air conditioning tips like changing the room temperature from the comfort of your couch using either a computer or a smartphone. In some cases, you can even control it using your voice via Google or Amazon echo. Plus, Nest has the ability to store your preferred temperatures ranges and use the information to build a schedule around it, thus also helping to reduce your energy bills
5. Built-in Air Conditioner
These types of residential air conditioning solutions are mounted on metal sleeves that extend through an opening carved in the wall. The way it works is that they suck in warm air, cool and dehumidify it, and blow it back into the room. One of its advantages is that you can install it in a convenient location of your preferred room. It also saves you a lot of space compared to the cabinet style air conditioners. They can be suitable for both the office and your home during summers.
6. Portable Air Conditioner
Even with an HVAC system, a portable a/c can keep your household cool and save you money at the same time. Unlike central air conditioning systems which waste a lot of energy to cool the entire home including unused rooms, portable units allow you to cool specific areas. Additionally, these portable units have special adapter kits that are used to discharge hot air out of the room. Some models are also designed to vent warm air through a hole in an external wall.
Conclusion
A classic fan is what you might think of in hot weather since it provides you with instant relief from high summer temperatures. However, you can stay cool by taking it up a notch with some of the top residential air conditioners, including central air, ductless mini-split, window units, smart air conditioners, built-in air conditioners, and portable units.
