Central AC Vs. Window AC
Every summer consumers do battle against the heat and must choose a weapon, central air conditioning or a window unit? There are advantages and disadvantages to both, but ask two important questions before making a decision. How large is the area that you want to cool and what is your budget? The answers will help direct a course of action that will provide the best comfort possible on the budget available. Does this Spark an idea?
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Window Units
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A window air conditioner, also known as a room unit, fits snugly inside a window. The unit requires no special skill to install and it uses a normal electrical outlet, so an electrician is not necessary. These units vary in size and power. Of course, the more powerful the unit, the more expensive the cost and the greater the cooling power. Power is measured in British Thermal Units (BTU), the higher the BTU, the more powerful the unit.
Central Air
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Central air units are more complicated. They utilize a compressor to pump a cooling refrigerant that cools a home. Larger than most window units, a central air unit is normally positioned outside a home. It is usually installed as part of a home's heating/cooling system and is attached to ducts running throughout a home. A central air unit makes less noise than a window unit, largely because it is outside the home.
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Room Size
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A window unit will cool just one room at a time. If the unit is too small and the room too large, it may have trouble even doing that. Multiple units must be purchased to cool multiple rooms. The most powerful window unit will cool no more than 1,100 square feet. Conversely, a central air unit will cool an entire house. It's still important to purchase the proper size central air unit for your space. If it's too small, it won't cool the space efficiently, too large and it will increase energy costs unnecessarily.
Cost
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Window units are less expensive than central air units. A window unit can range from $100 for a 5,000 BTU unit to more than $1,000 for a 20,000 BTU unit. Again, central air units are more complicated. The unit itself may cost just $3,000 to $4,000. With installation, costs can reach $10,000 or more depending on if there is existing duct work in the home and whether a forced-air furnace is installed.
Energy Efficiency
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Window units aren't necessarily more energy efficient than central air units. A window unit that is too small to cool a room may run continuously, wasting energy. Central air units cool multiple rooms more quickly but they use more power than window units. Window units are rated by their energy efficiency ratio (EER). The most efficient are rated 10 or higher. Central air units are rated by seasonal energy efficiency ratios (SEER). Ratings of 13 or higher signal high efficiency.
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- Photo Credit window air conditioner image by Aaron Kohr from Fotolia.com
