For homeowners, the decision between choosing a ductless mini-split system and a conventional central air conditioning system can be a difficult one. Let us compare the major differences between the two options. A ductless mini-split system has two main components—an outdoor compressor and an indoor air-handling unit. A conduit links the outdoor unit with the indoor unit. As implied by their name, the ductless mini-split system does not require ductwork, making it the more convenient cooling option for older buildings with thick walls. It basically keeps your room temperature at a constant temperature, unlike an air conditioning unit that goes on and off throughout the day. In the winter, the system works in reverse by absorbing heat from the outside air and moving it indoors to heat your home, too. Their compact size allows for greater flexibility in temperature zoning—air conditioning is limited to the rooms in which the air handlers are located. These systems tend to run quieter than central air conditioning systems, and are easier to install.

Some ductless mini-split models have the highest efficiency rating of any type of air conditioning system. Although a ductless mini-split can save you money in the long run, the initial installation cost can run high. how much to replace a home ac unitIt may be difficult to find qualified, professional installers. ac wall unit with thermostatImproper sizing or placement can mean that your unit runs less efficiently. parts of a home air conditioner unitThere are also some home owners who have aesthetic issues with a wall mounted unit. A central air conditioning system treats air at a central location and distributes it to and from rooms by one or more fans and a series of ducts. Supply ducts and registers carry this cool air from the air conditioner to the home.

The air becomes warmer as it circulates through the home; then it flows back to the central air conditioner through return ducts and registers. If your goal is to keep your whole house cool, central air conditioning is most likely your best option. With newer models, you can count on efficient, cool and comfortable temperatures and lower humidity. The system is also virtually invisible, and it adds value to your home. As with the mini-split system, you can run into cost problems if the unit has not been properly sized. (However, the upfront cost is considerably less to just replace an existing system with a new central air system rather than with a ductless mini-split system.) To summarize, here are the main advantages and disadvantages of both systems: For more information on air conditioning systems, check out When to Replace Your Central Air Conditioning System and What Is a Ductless Mini-Split AC System?We’re only halfway through the summer and we’ve already received dozens and dozens of calls from people wanting to know how much it costs to replace the compressor in their central air conditioning unit.

The straightforward answer is that it costs a lot more than you should spend repairing an old ac unit. Unless your air conditioner is new enough that the cost of both the parts and the labor to install the new compressor is covered under warranty - it’s almost always a bad idea to spend the money replacing the compressor. To have a well-known, reputable heating and air company in Denver replace your compressor is typically going to cost between $2,200 - $2,800. A handful of the biggest companies in Denver can charge more than $2,800. Keep in mind… the size of the company and the level of service they are structured to provide affects the price for any type of air conditioning repair. Spending $2,200 - $2,800 for a new compressor into an ac unit is pretty close to just lighting money on fire in my opinion. That’s 1/2 the cost of replacing your entire air conditioning system (a new condenser and evaporative coil) and you still have an old air conditioner, it just has a new compressor in it.

A good analogy would be putting a new transmission in a car that already has 200,000 miles on the engine. You can be pretty sure something else is going to go wrong with it before long. Most of the top air conditioner manufacturers back their units with a 10-Year Parts Warranty and a 1-Year Labor Warranty. However, some manufacturers only provide a 5-Year Parts Warranty. If the compressor in your air conditioner goes bad within the first 12 months, it’s a no-brainer - just call the company that installed it and you shouldn’t have to pay anything to have the compressor replaced. If your compressor goes bad sometime between the 2nd and 10th year after installation of your central air conditioner, the cost of the compressor itself can still be covered under warranty, but you will have to cover the cost of the labor to replace the compressor. You can expect to pay a well-known, reputable Denver air conditioning contractor between $1,500 - $2,000 just for the labor. If your air conditioner if not more than 7-8 years old - and all the other components are in good shape, it may not be the worst financial decision in the world to replace your compressor if you only have to pay for the labor.

Obviously individual financial circumstances have to be taken into consideration, and sometimes you have to choose the lesser of two evils. If you’re air conditioner is 10 years old then you would absolutely want to replace the entire air conditioning system instead of installing a new compressor. Air conditioning manufacturers typically do not honor warranty claims on equipment that has not been properly maintained or neglected. This is why it’s so important to have annual maintain performed on both your furnace and your air conditioner. Shameless Plug Alert: American Standard provides a 12-Year Warranty on the compressors inside their air conditioning units. Full Disclosure: Altitude Comfort is an authorized American Standard dealer, and it’s our most popular brand by far. People often are confused by the technical names for the components of their air conditioning system, and they’ll refer to their outside unit (the condenser) as their compressor. Just so we’re all on the same page...