The efficiency of window units vs. central air is an ongoing debate There are many variables that come into play when determining which system is right for you. These include the size of your home, its insulation, and the average humidity of your climate. Central Air Energy Usage On average, a 2.5 ton central air conditioning unit uses about 3,500 watts to cool a typical 1,500-2,000 square foot home. A medium size window unit will use about 1,000 watts to cool an average 400 square foot room. If you’re looking to cool just one or two small spaces, a window unit can save some energy, however if you’re looking to cool more, a central air system will be more efficient, effective and save energy. To make your central air condition even more efficient, consider installing a programmable thermostat, which can be set to increase the temperature in your home while you’re at work or on vacation as well as adjust it back before you arrive home. Both central AC  and window units need to be properly insulated to work at their best.

Poorly insulated ducts can drastically reduce the efficiency of central air systems. Its a good idea to inspect duct work for holes, unsealed seams, and inproper insulation. A well insulated duct system will greatly improve the performance of your unit. If you’re looking to build a new home or are considering installing a new central air system, it's a goode idea to position the ducts inside the home’s conditioned envelope, as systems with ducts in unconditioned attics can lose about 20% of the cooling output. On the contrary, window units need to have insulation installed around the unit to block hot air from seeping in from the outside. Air leaks can lead to longer run times and reduced efficiency. As residents of Hanover County and metro Richmond, we can attest to the fact that humidity is an issue during the summer months. The general consensus when describing an RVA summer is “it’s not the heat, but the humidity” that is so stifling. Unlike central ac, window units are not ideal for areas subject to high humidity because they tend to sweat, which can infuse the air with even more moisture.

AC "sweat" can also makes it difficult to get a tight seal around the window unit, resulting in more hot and humid air coming in from the outside. If your unit is overworked, the sweat issue is an even larger problem, as it runs longer and less efficientl, and can create a cold clammy room. Choosing Between Central & Window Air Conditioning When it comes to your comfort, health and savings, the HVAC experts at Howell's Heating & Air believe central air conditioning systems win out. cost of central air unit for mobile homeA well designed central air conditioning system is far more efficient at controlling humidity. how to replace a home ac unitIt also provides the added benefit of filtering pollutants and allergens.when do ac units go on sale

From a budgetary standpoint, if you’re looking to cool your whole home, rather than just one or two small rooms, central AC can help reduce your energy usage and lower your utility bills. Want more insight on adding a central AC system to your home? Contact us online today for more information, or call 804.715.1995 source: infographic - Leffler Energy 262 posts, read 495,655 times 18,512 posts, read 22,111,878 times 6,939 posts, read 14,640,995 times Originally Posted by HtownLove I don't know about efficiency, but central A/C uses a lot more power overall. Saving on air conditioning & cooling - by Ask Mr. Electricity Originally Posted by AD1985 That's a BS article. IF you need 5 tons of cooling and only have 2.5 tons, then of course your bills will be higher because your unit will run constantly. secondly, central AC isn't designed to run constantly, it is designed to cycle, and like I said before if your tonnage is lower than needed you won't get a good cycling going on.

thirdly, of course if you are running something that is 1440 watts constantly and running something that is 3000 watts constantly the one that is 1440 watts will obviously going to result in lower watts used. But the author neglects the fact that central AC is not supposed to run constantly. Central AC is supposed to be running less than 25% of the time, so you are supposed to divide the wattage of the central AC by at least 4. Finally, the central Ac works more efficiently, and gives a more even cooling if it is done right. When I lived in San Antonio the house had window units in the bedroom and the living room. It had a closed layout (the kitchen opened out into the dining room through a door, which then opened up into the living room where the AC was. Every time we cooked we had to either open the kitchen door or die of heat stroke. If the house was cooled by central air, the unit would suck out the heat from the kitchen and replace that with cooled air. The window units didn't cool the kitchen one bit

5,286 posts, read 14,859,778 times I didn't realize that a house can be cooled in extreme heat without working continuously. I'm trying to read more about how central A/C cycles on/off, do you have any good sources? no, sorry I don't , but yes even in extreme heat an AC is designed to cycle. do you know whether you are moving to a studio or some place bigger? If you get just a studio then the window unit will pull the least electricity. Central AC is expensive to install though. It usually runs about $5000. if you are moving to a place that is humid that will be another factor as central units dehumidify the air a lot better. The best I have ever seen are the chill water systems. My first apartment had one and we had to pay in to use it. The fee ranged from 8 dollars to 12 dollars, which was great because I didn't have to worry about AC on my electric bill and normally paid about 25 bucks for electricity. Having one big chiller instead of individual units cuts down the cost dramatically.