How To Choose Between Window Or Central Air Conditioners

If you are looking for a new air conditioning solution for your home, central air conditioners and window air conditioners are likely the first options that will come to mind. Here is a comparison of central air conditioners and window air conditioners to help you make an informed decision about the right air conditioner for your home.

Installation

If you are looking for an air conditioner with easy installation, window air conditioners are a good choice. Window units can be installed by the homeowner, and the setup is as simple as plugging them into an electrical outlet.

Unlike window air conditioners, central air conditioners must be installed by professional HVAC technicians. Moving the heavy equipment that is required for this air conditioning system is a task that involves multiple people. Additionally, the central air conditioner must be fitted to your home's existing ductwork, a task that can be made even more complex if your ductwork is damaged or must be altered to connect to the central air conditioner that you purchased.

Noise Level

Central air conditioners are the best option for quiet home cooling. The parts of a central air conditioner that make noise are placed in utility rooms, basements, or outside, allowing for very quiet operation.

In most cases, window air conditioners must be placed in the room(s) that need to be cooled. Running a window air conditioner in a bedroom or home office can be especially distracting and outweigh the benefits even if the room is cooled well.

Budget

The cost difference between window air conditioning and central air conditioning is not as easy to discern as it may seem. Window units have a much lower up-front cost, but their operating cost will be higher compared to central air conditioners to achieve the same cooling capability. This is because several window air conditioners must be installed in all but the smallest houses or apartments to achieve whole-home cooling.

The combined electricity usage of two or more window air conditioners will almost always be higher than a modern, energy-efficient central air conditioner. Purchasing a central air conditioner and having it professionally installed by a company like High Tech Heating & Air Conditioning Inc will cost more initially, but you will see a return on your investment over time through lower energy bills.

Keep these tips in mind when choosing between window air conditioners and central air conditioners so you can find the option that best suits your needs for easy installation, budget, and noise level.


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