There are multiple air conditioning options to keep you cool this summer in a broad range of price points, from $100 window units to central air conditioning systems that cost thousands and require professional installation. The key is to try to make sure that you get the air conditioning system that will be best for your home and your cooling needs. Which system is best for your home? This article explores the various air conditioning options available today, from the smallest and least expensive to the largest and most powerful. Portable Air Conditioning: The “budget model” of the air conditioning world, a portable air conditioner cools a single room. Casters or wheels let users transport it easily from room to room, making this the most flexible option for anyone on a budget. These units can supplement a central AC unit in extremely hot, crowded spaces, or even offer single-room cooling so that you can turn off your central AC if you’re not going to be in other rooms of your house.

Window Air Conditioning: A window air conditioner is installed temporarily in a window of your home to cool a single space. Depending on the BTU/hour of the unit, window air conditioning can cool a room of up to 1,200 square feet. With the help of strategically-placed portable fans, you may be able to use a window air conditioner to cool a small house.how to tell what size ac unit i have These units tend to be noisy, and by nature of their installation, they can create drafts, so many people choose to remove and store them during the cold winter months. how do you size a ac unitThese units are good for renters, too.the best window air conditioner brand Also called a vertical air conditioner, a casement air conditioning unit functions exactly like any window air conditioner but is designed for use in windows that open side-to-side or swing outward.

This type of AC is good for use in narrow spaces. Like a window or casement AC, a wall air conditioner provides cooling of a single room or a small house with an open floor plan. Homeowners may wish to hire a contractor to install the air conditioning unit, as installation requires cutting a hole in the wall. The unit stays in the wall year-round, so it doesn’t require space to store during the winter months. A conventional central air conditioning unit transports cold air through heavy metal ducts throughout the house. It can be connected to an existing ducted heating system or an HVAC contractor can run new ducts for the central AC. The unit includes a condenser and compressor that are located outdoors and an evaporator unit that is located inside the home. Central AC units are heralded as the quietest, least obtrusive type of units if they are installed in a new building. In homes without existing ducts, however, a ductless air conditioning system may work better. Similar to a central AC unit, a mini split air conditioning system includes an outdoor compressor and condenser unit;

however, multiple indoor air-handling units connect to the outside system by means of conduit, making this a ductless system. The homeowner can add as many or as few wall- or ceiling-mounted indoor units as needed to cool an entire home or just individual rooms. Like a mini split or conventional central AC, a high velocity air conditioning unit (HV) has an outdoor compressor/condenser. Two-inch tubing connects the indoor evaporators to the outside unit, which makes this a good option for older houses with no existing duct work. Many people find that an HV unit cools more consistently and efficiently than conventional air conditioning because the cool air moves around the room by means of “aspiration,” or a forceful burst of air.HVAC systems move heat or cold air out of the room when you need. Essentially, your system acts as a transportation system for cold and hot air outside and inside the home. Traditional and mini-duct systems are called upon when they sense temperature changes in the room, however, high-velocity mini-duct systems use much smaller ducts in your walls.

In fact, they are often 50% smaller than a traditional duct system. As such, they must use a high-velocity system to produce the same output. As Old House Online perfectly displayed, think of both HVAC systems like drinking straws and paper-towel tubes. The straws represent high-velocity mini-duct systems and paper-towel tubes represent traditional duct systems. Due to the smaller volume, the straw requires much more energy. As you will soon read, that extra energy actually results in cooler temperatures and less electric costs. Typically, those who want to install a system for heating and cooling the whole home will choose between a low-velocity system (traditional) and a high-velocity system. The latter works through aspiration, which creates currents constantly moving the air and keeping the room at a stable temperature of your choosing. This is in contrast to the more traditional low-velocity or forced air systems, which use diffusion to drop cool air from one vent and then draw air back out through the return.

Because of the nature of aspiration, a high-velocity system requires minimal ductwork, and in some cases, all it takes is a small plastic pipe rather than a traditional duct. Chances are, most homeowners researching will already have HVAC installed in their homes. If so, high-velocity HVAC is probably not economical. However, there are two scenarios where high-velocity mini-duct systems are not only ideal, but economical as well. The first is with new construction. If you’re building a new house, ask your HVAC pro about high-velocity mini-ducts. While their installation cost is a bit more than traditional HVAC systems (not including a heat source), they can save you hundreds in maintenance and utility costs down the line. Furthermore, high-velocity air conditioners are perfect for older homes where space is a concern. When a family has lived in a home for years, you get used to the space you’re given. Well, if a traditional HVAC system was not added when the home was constructed, that means the designer or contractor did not intend for a large duct system.

To install a traditional system, the homeowners would have to forfeit valuable square footage around the home. Fortunately, high-velocity mini-duct systems don’t only preserve your space, but the integrity of your home as well. There are plenty of advantages in choosing a high-velocity mini-duct system: Because the ducts used in a high-velocity system are so small, they won't require a lot of remodeling to accommodate them and they won't take up a lot of extra space in the home. These mini-duct systems are also incredibly efficient at heating and cooling in a hurry, which is a plus for people who tend to turn their systems off during the day and then require instant temperature changes when you return home. To top it all off, high-velocity mini-duct systems can be very quiet, use less energy, remove up to 30% more humidity and be installed in far less time than traditional low-velocity mini-duct systems. While a high-velocity mini duct system might seem perfect, there are some noticeable drawbacks that every homeowner needs to address:

For most homeowners, these drawbacks are worth overlooking. Constantly blowing air is simply more effective, so the sensation is not often a problem. While mini-duct air conditioning will have small units installed in the interior of the home, the units are not intrusive and they are typically placed in less noticeable locations. Ultimately, the cost will be the biggest issue, as high-velocity mini-duct systems require a larger initial investment. Several factors influence the total cost of a high-velocity mini-duct system and each can play a role in the total high-velocity HVAC cost. The following are the primary factors to keep in mind when pricing installation of a high-velocity air conditioning system: As we already said, mini-duct systems usually come with a higher installation cost than most other HVAC systems. Furthermore, if you do not have any HVAC currently installed, you will also need a heat source if you decide to purchase a high-velocity mini-duct unit. As such, in addition to the regular installation cost, you must include the installation price of a heat pump.

SpacePak, one of the two major mini-duct manufacturers, says their systems are only compatible with heat pumps. Nevertheless, if you wanted a quick comparison to some of the other prominent HVAC systems in the world, please see all installation prices below: When analyzing the total cost of an HVAC project you must consider repairs, maintenance and utility costs. While installation is a big piece of the pie, it is not the only one. Fortunately, high-velocity mini-duct systems generally cost less than almost any other HVAC system. Traditional forced-air systems, those using larger ducts, experience duct leakage and some experts believe that leakage can lead to a 25% increase in utility costs. Unico, the other major mini-duct manufacturer, and SpacePak both claim their high-velocity systems have less than 5% duct leakage. Less duct leakage means less work for your system and more savings on your energy bills. Additionally, because the air is always blowing, you can afford to keep the temperature higher than traditional HVAC systems.

In fact, some say 70° on a mini-duct thermostat feels like 66° on a traditional system. Finally, maintenance and repair is never far away with HVAC. Because you’re dealing with a much smaller system, repair costs tend to be less expensive. For larger duct systems, HVAC pros and carpenters may have cut large holes in the walls, replace large parts or order brand new parts. None of this is cheap and sadly, usually has to come out of the homeowner’s pocket. HVAC may not be the most popular DIY category, but some active homeowners do install mini-duct HVACs on their own. Beware, while it is easier than traditional HVAC systems, it’s still a challenging process. Below are the major steps all need to do to install a high-velocity mini-duct system. For a more in-depth process, please see The News. If that process sounds tough, you’re not alone. Almost all homeowners hire pros to install their high-velocity air conditioning systems. To save some cash, always get multiple HVAC quotes.