Last Updated on July 13, 2024 by Asfa Rasheed
Aircon purchasing can be a hassle for any homeowner. Going through the appliance store, seeing all the different types of air conditioners is so confusing. How do you know the best kind for your home with so many models and types around?
The type of air conditioner that is right for your home depends on the area of your room and the space you have for the unit itself. Not all homes can be equipped with a central cooling system, while some homes benefit from the size of a portable air conditioner.
Regardless of what type of air conditioner you have, you will need to have an aircon servicing company on hand. Be sure to consider whether you can easily find an aircon technician who can service your type of unit before purchasing your air conditioner so you don’t have any difficulty finding a technician if something goes wrong.
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Window-type Air Conditioner
The window-type AC is the most common type of air conditioner on the market. Very simple to set up, this air conditioner only needs enough window space to install. The plug-and-play aspect of the air conditioner makes operations easy, but not all homes can benefit from a window-type air conditioner.
First, the air conditioner will need a power source near its location to be usable. Some homes may not be equipped with enough electrical outlets. A few homeowners, too, may not like the noise made by a window-type air conditioner or the obstruction of the air conditioner from the window view.
Ductless Split-type Air Conditioner
The ductless split-type air conditioner is a modern marvel, effectively cooling a room without an outdoor unit attached to it. Instead, the outdoor unit is a separate piece that connects to the indoor unit using tubing where the refrigerant passes through. Wall mounted, it doesn’t take up much ground space and can be installed in any room.
However, the split-type air conditioner installation requires help from an experienced HVAC technician, as the indoor and outdoor units will need to be installed separately but have to be connected through the tubing. The ductless split type is also unsuitable for large rooms, so best to check with a technician before purchasing your unit.
Portable Air Conditioner
Portable air conditioners have been cooling small rooms for decades, but they have only gained popularity in the past few years as homeowners move into smaller flats. A portable air conditioning unit is precisely what it sounds like – portable! It was made to cool small spaces and can be wheeled from one area to another with a plug-and-play feature.
However, a portable air conditioner is not ideal for homes with many people or large areas requiring a robust cooling system. The portable air conditioner was made to cool the room, but not to the same extent as other types of ACs. Portable units also use ground space and are more challenging to clean than other types.
Smart Air Conditioner
For a truly modern cooling system, a smart air conditioner utilizes the power of integrated home systems to control your air conditioning right from your phone or tablet. With just a touch of a button, you can control your air conditioning from anywhere and even set a timer for when to power on and power off the unit. Some smart units will even give you energy-saving options!
Since the technology is new, it is prone to upgrade requirements and glitches. Few service crews will have the knowledge and expertise to service the unit, so best to check with your local technicians to see if they can service your unit, as you will need consistent maintenance with a smart air conditioner.
Centralized Air Conditioner
If your home is large and has a number of rooms that need cooling, you may want to consider installing a centralized air conditioner where you can control your home’s temperature from one spot. A central air conditioner would eliminate the need for individual units and usually share one system through multiple ceiling ducts, minimizing space used up by the unit.
Commonly used in large commercial spaces, a centralized air conditioning system is much more challenging to clean and maintain than any other air conditioner. You will need constant maintenance from an experienced HVAC technician and regular cleaning throughout all ducts. The installation also requires some renovation, as the ducts must be connected.
Floor Air Conditioner
The least common of the list, yet one of the models with the most powerful processors, a floor air conditioner is used for commercial spaces to cover a large area without needing more than one unit. In many restaurants and event spaces, these floor air conditioners also come in floor-mounted versions that take up less space than a standalone unit.
Floor-mounted air conditioners are great for homes with low ceilings and ample ground space to install the unit. However, floor air conditioners will require frequent cleaning as the unit sucks up any dust and debris that may settle near the floor around the model.
