Central Air Conditioning vs. Window Units

If you have ever lived in the South, especially South Carolina you know how hot it gets….and like we say “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity!” Humidity definitely makes it feel hotter than the 90 degree plus temps we see during the summer so it’s harder for us to cool off and we do LOVE AIR CONDITIONING!!!

In this day and age air conditioning has become a major element of our lives. We are used to a relief from the heat when we walk inside a building during the summer. There are two main types of air conditioners: central and window units. If you need air conditioning or if you are considering a new cooling unit, you may be wondering what is the best option. Here is some information to help you with your decision.

CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING:

These systems can cool your whole home and can typically be hooked up to the previously existing duct system from your furnace. They are controlled by a thermostat.

Pros:

• Can cool multiple spaces in the home
• Offer greater savings than a window unit with the correct usage of a programmable thermostat
• Can also act as a de-humidifier
• It does not take away from the natural light in your home by blocking off important window space, nor is it an “eye sore” in your window.

Cons:

• Generally more expensive than window units

WINDOW UNITS:

These are air conditioning devices installed in your window. They are typically temporary and removed from the window each fall. They can only cool 1-2 rooms in a home.

Pros:

• Less expensive than central air conditioning
• Good for smaller homes or apartments
• Not as permanent as central air conditioning

Cons:

• Cannot cool large areas
• Often has to be installed or taken out multiple times per year

No matter what device you determine to be right for you, just know that both central air conditioning must be sized properly for your home. If it is too small or large, energy will be wasted. 

Unsure of what size central air conditioning you need? Call us today. We can do a load calculation and determine what size unit is best for your home.