Air conditioning is vital for anyone living in a warm climate, and the latest models offer energy-efficient cooling with features like timers that let you set when your AC turns on and off. Choosing the right model depends on the size of your home and whether you want to install it ductless or with traditional ductwork. A contractor can assess your home’s specs and recommend the best unit to cool your space. Two key factors to consider are the unit’s Energy Star certification and its SEER rating.
The Energy Star label is a mark of efficiency that indicates that your new AC will use less electricity to perform the same job as older units, saving you money over time. The SEER rating is an indication of how efficiently your system will dehumidify and cool your home over a season, with the higher the SEER, the more efficient.
Besides cooling, modern AC systems often have a number of other functions including air filtration and humidification. This is especially important for those with allergies or asthma, as they can minimize the irritants that trigger attacks by circulating and filtering indoor air. Air conditioning can also help keep humidity in balance, preventing mold and mildew from forming inside walls or ducts.
Many newer air conditioners are designed to be used ductless, with the evaporator and condenser units located outdoors, while the indoor unit is connected to a series of vents that take the air from each room to the outdoor unit for processing. This type of system is more expensive to install than a ducted AC, but it can save on long-term energy costs.
Ductless air conditioning is usually used in newer homes or buildings under construction, as it’s more difficult to retrofit existing structures with this type of system. This is because it requires a large amount of duct work, and maintenance can be a challenge because it’s easy to allow pathogenic bacteria to build up in the ducts.
Portable air conditioners tend to be simpler to maintain than ductless units, as they have fewer moving parts and don’t require any complex piping. These units are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, from tiny single-room models to larger multi-room units. Some of the best portable ACs are shaped in a U, while others have an inverted design that slides down into the window frame rather than hanging out in the air.
Some of the best portable ACs feature dual-hose designs, which are generally more efficient than single-hose models. However, most models still leave you with a handful of plastic hoses to wrangle, so look for the model that’s the easiest to tame. Also, make sure the model you choose uses a refrigerant that’s not harmful to the environment; older refrigerants containing chlorine atoms can damage the ozone layer. Lastly, look for a portable air conditioner that offers window access, as this makes it easier to roll the unit away and store it at the end of summer.