7 Popular and Practical Air Conditioner Types for Your Home

Choosing the best option for your cooling needs could be a tad confusing given that there are various air conditioner types available in the market. You need to know which ones are cost-effective, energy efficient, and meet all your requirements.

This article endeavors to provide you with valuable information about the top seven air conditioner types for your home. Understanding these different types of air conditioning systems will help you choose the most efficient one.

But first, here’s a concise look at the most common types of air conditioners:

AC Type	Pros	Cons	Approximate Cost of AC units (excluding installation)
Window	Most popular Easily available Has relatively low noise output Medium efficiency Water drains out easily; no piping required Can adequately cool 100-300 to 650 sq ft	Blocks a window permanently Bulky design Tricky installation without exterior support Removal is a hassle Needs a trained handyman for installation Leaves your home at a security risk	$550 – $3,000
Through-the-wall	Inexpensive Does not block the view Better cooling capacity than window AC — more BTUs and better fans No ducts and joints required during installation	Once installed, can’t be removed Difficult installation; requires a lot of work If not well insulated, will allow wind to blow inside your house	$300 – $1,500
Portable	Requires no installation Can easily be moved from one room to another Less expensive than central or ductless air conditioning	Generates a good amount of noise Even with a venting hose, you will need more air conditioning to keep a room cool Some portable units come with water tanks that need regular cleaning The larger the unit, the heavier it is; more difficult to move around Not adequate for very large rooms	$345 – $700
Ductless, Mini-split	Technically advanced Easy installation Requires only a very small hole to be drilled; less vulnerable to air leakage and security problems Less visible and audible Energy-efficient Provides both cooling and heat	Installation is not a DIY project As per Energy.gov, ductless units may cost 30% more to run than central air conditioning Requires higher maintenance and repair costs.	$1,300 to $4,500
Central Air Conditioning	Cooling solution for your entire home Now available with smart thermostats Air quality of a home improves Provides both cooling and heating	May not control temperature uniformly throughout the house Higher energy bills High duct maintenance	$500 – $4,000
Heat Pumps	Lower running costs Less maintenance Reduces your carbon emissions Long lifespan	Difficult to install High upfront cost Requires special planning permissions Not ideal for extreme climates	$500 – $8,000
Packaged central air conditioners	Compact size Ideal for homes with limited indoor space All the parts come pre-assembled by the factory Easy installation	More suitable for hotels and offices Vulnerable to leaks and negative effects from rain and wind due to external installation	$500 – $8,000

Note that the installation cost of air conditioners are over and above the costs mentioned above.

Window Air Conditioner

Photo by skeddy in NYC on flickr [CC BY 2.0]

This compact unit, installed in a window, is a perfect choice when you want cooling in just one room. The room air conditioner works by emitting the warm air out of a room and blowing cool air into it.

The front side is where the cooling takes place and the outdoor unit is where the absorbed heat is released to the atmosphere. It also features an adjustable louver that controls the direction of airflow for increased comfort.

Through-the-wall Air Conditioner

A through-the-wall air conditioner is similar to a window AC but is installed flush with a wall for a streamlined appearance.

Typically, such units do not have venting mechanisms on each side of the housing. The reason is that blocked venting grilles will lower the unit’s cooling efficiency.

In comparison with window ones, these air conditioners have higher cooling capacities and weigh slightly more.

Portable Air Conditioners

Photo by Your Best Digs on flickr – www.yourbestdigs.com [CC BY 2.0]

A portable air conditioner takes in air from the room, cools it, and then directs it back into the room. The unit then vents any warm air outside by means of an exhaust hose that is installed in a window.

Like window air conditioners, these are designed to cool only one room. They need absolutely no installation, are a versatile and affordable option for homeowners with smaller living space.

Ductless, Mini-split Air Conditioner

Background photo created by lifeforstock – www.freepik.com

Known for their high-efficiency cooling, these air conditioners work quietly and unobtrusively. Also, they look neat, are flexible, and provide both cooling as well as heating.

They have an outdoor compressor or condenser and an indoor handling unit. And, you can customize the number of handlers according to your requirements.

Both the components are connected through the insulated conduit — housing the refrigeration lines — that runs from the condenser unit to the blowers inside.

And, one need not worry about temperature control. Each room has its own thermostat — allowing you to adjust the comfort level. All in all, ductless air conditioners are worth their cost.

Central Air Conditioning

This is the most common type of system — perfect for larger homes due to its ability to cool efficiently.

It circulates cool air through supply and return ducts. They carry the cooled air into the house. Then, once the air becomes warm it circulates it back to the air conditioner through these ducts.

Needless to say, installing a central air conditioning system requires a lot of planning and preparation. Or else, you will end up with lower efficiency and high utility bills.

Heat Pumps

Photo by By Kristoferb at English Wikipedia, [CC BY-SA 3.0]

A heat pump is a variation of the traditional split system. A notable advantage is that it can cool and heat a space, so you can use it all year round.

It works by pulling heat out of the outside air when it heats your home but can be reversed to pull heat out of your house and cool.

There are two kinds of heat pumps, both of which save considerable money and energy:

Air Source Heat Pumps/Hybrid Air Conditioner

During summer, such a heat pump will pull heat from your home and distribute it outdoors. While in the winter, it works in reverse — pulling heat from the outside environment and distributing it into your home.

Ground Source Heat Pumps/Geothermal Heating Or Cooling

If you live in a colder climate, this specialized type of heat pump is ideal for you. In comparison to the air source one, it works by drawing heat out of the ground rather than the air. During summer, it provides cool air to flow throughout your house and in winter, it supplies warm air to keep you comfortable.

Packaged Central Air Conditioner

New Air Conditioner Unit by Dayna on flickr [CC BY 2.0]

This air conditioner is more suitable for commercial buildings but can be used in residences too. The best part is that the evaporator, condenser, and compressor come in a single unit — and the unit looks compact.

Typically, you can place it on a roof or a concrete slab near the foundation. Ducts that run exterior walls or roof draw air from inside the house and return cooled air indoors.

Final Thoughts

Perusing through these popular types of air conditioners, we are sure, will help you make up your mind as to which is the best one for you.

Here are some useful tips from our side

Choose a unit with higher Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) ratings — which means lower greenhouse emissions and monthly electric bills.
Check the yellow energy star ratings on units.
Select the right British thermal unit (BTU) for your room size — ensuring the most energy-efficient cooling system.

Make an informed decision and choose wisely.

7 Air Conditioner Types: Choosing the Best for Your Home was last modified: July 10th, 2019 by Ramona Sinha