Older central and window air units cost more to run than newer ones. Air conditioning makes the hottest summer days more enjoyable, but rising energy costs and the growing awareness of energy conservation and resource depletion demands you cool your home as cheaply and energy efficiently as possible. Deciding which cooling method will save you the most -- three window air conditioners or a central air unit -- depends on a few factors. Cooling your home with the proper system saves you money and electricity, and keeps you completely comfortable no matter the temperature outside. Comparing Energy Usage Considering that the average home uses more electricity for cooling than for any other appliance or accessory, if you want to save money on your utility bill, carefully consider your cooling choices. A central air unit uses more energy to cool your home. As Mr. Electricity states, a window unit uses anywhere from 500 to 1440 watts to run, while a 2.5 ton central unit (about the size for a typical 1,500- to 2,000-square-foot home) uses about 3,500 watts.

It's not simply about the size of area cooled, but the fact that central air involves the furnace, too. The air does not flow to the rest of the house without the furnace blower -- so more running parts equal a larger power draw. Cost of Unit Installation It's simple to see that a central unit uses more power than a window unit, but there's more to your cost than just the energy draw. Once you factor in the purchase price and cost of installation, your cost per use may rise significantly. national ac unitsDividing the total price and installation labor cost by the months you use it dramatically illustrates the true cost of just having the air conditioner, without figuring in the utility bill. look up ac unit by model numberWindow units sell for a lot less than central units, and the installation typically is do-it-yourself. central a/c unit covers

It's Not All About the Unit Another factor when determining which cooling unit is best for your circumstances is the condition of your existing HVAC system. No matter how efficient your central air unit, if the ducts the cool air travels through are full of holes, or poorly insulated and exposed to temperature extremes, the efficiency of the whole system goes down -- and the cost goes up. If you choose to run a central air unit, insulating your ducts, and inspecting and maintaining the whole system is important, although it adds to the cost. Compared with window units, which blow directly into the room and need little but occasional cleaning unless they go out, a central unit again costs more. Verdict Although it costs more to purchase and install a central unit -- and responsible owners also spend more on annual service calls for maintenance and inspection -- if you plan to cool three or more rooms, the most cost-effective and energy-efficient choice is the central unit. A central unit has greater resale value, so you recoup more of your investment if you sell your home.

The weightiest factor, however, is that three window units typically use more energy than a single central unit. Also consider that three rooms likely is a large portion of the home, and every time you travel between cooling zones with a window unit, you're leaking cool air, making your unit work harder. However, neither unit will work efficiently and save money unless it is properly sized. Carefully research your choices before purchasing. References Mr. Electricity: Saving ElectricityCalifornia Energy Commission: Window Air ConditionersHeating & Air Conditioning Center: Air Conditioners -- Window Units vs. Central Air Photo Credits Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionOne of the more common scrap items during the warmer months, air conditioners are very easy items to take apart for scrap metal inside. With a wide variety of materials like, copper, electric motors, aluminum, and wire inside, any scrappers from beginner to advanced ones can benefit by taking apart an air conditioner for scrap.

If you are debating whether to take apart your scrap air conditioner before going to your scrap yard, we recommend taking the time to take it apart if you are looking to make a little extra money at the scales. If you are collecting a few units at a time, learning to take them apart can be very valuable for you in the future. On average if you are scrapping a whole window air conditioning unit with you scrap yard, you may get paid between $4-6 for it. However, if you take apart that same window unit, you may be tripling your earnings by getting anywhere from $12-18 for the various materials and metals inside. Before you get started be sure to contact a licensed professional to remove all freon refrigerant and oils from the unit. Most scrap yards WILL NOT accept the air conditioners without the freon removed. Also it is illegal to remove yourself and can result in a hefty fine from the EPA. It’s always helpful to have a licensed HVAC specialist to work on especially if you are looking to scrap refrigerators, AC units, and other items that may contain freon.

Before you get started, it’s important to have the right tools and equipment on hand to make it easier and more efficient taking apart air conditioners. This is especially true if you have a few units at a time you are taking apart for scrap. Below is a list of tools and items you will need to scrap an air conditioner: Watch Moose Scrapper’s Video on Scrapping An Air Conditioner Step-by-Step Obviously, depending on the current state of the market this can all fluctuate but you should receive between $15-20 total for your air conditioner taken apart for scrap. If you had left the unit as a whole, you would probably only get around $3-5. So if you are collecting a few air conditioners at a time for scrap and you have efficiently mastered taking them apart, you could be tripling your earnings at your local scrap yard. Once you have cashed in at your local scrap yard, be sure to return the iScrap App and report your scrap prices online. You can choose which materials to report specific prices on at the scrap yard you visited.