Does Window AC or Central Air Cost More?
Two types of air conditioner units available for consumer use are window-based AC units and central AC units. A single window unit will always be cheaper than setting up your home for central air for a wide variety of reasons including the price of the units themselves as well as the cost of installation. Does this Spark an idea?
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Purchase Price
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Because window air conditioning units are smaller than central air units, a basic window unit will cost a fraction of the price of a full-fledged central air conditioner. However, both units are not entirely designed to do the same thing. The window air conditioner cools one room while the central air conditioner cools your entire home, so it is difficult to accurately compare in this regard.
Installation
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Window air conditioners come with kits allowing you to insert them into a window in your home in just a few minutes. This does not require a professional and can instead by accomplished by the user. Central air conditioners require the installation of duct work throughout your home if these ducts are not already present, which will require the hiring of a professional.
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Energy Consumption
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The more British thermal units an air conditioner outputs, the better it will cool your home. However, the more BTUs an air conditioner outputs the more electricity it will also use to run. Because window air conditioning units are much smaller units than central air conditioners, window AC units output fewer BTUs and ultimately cost you less money in electricity each month.
Running Times
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Because window air conditioning units are only responsible for cooling one or two rooms in your home (depending on your setup), they tend to run for less time than a central air conditioner. Central air conditioners are responsible for getting your entire home down to your ideal temperature, which takes more time to accomplish and ultimately costs you more money.
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