Homeowners across the country spend billions of dollars per year to power their A/C. That’s a lot of money spent on cool air throughout the year. When it’s time to replace your air conditioning system, it can feel like an overwhelming situation.

Your air conditioning unit represents a large investment into your home and budget, so you definitely want to get your money’s worth. But how do you know which system is right for your home?

Evaluating your A/C unit size, high-efficiency features, home requirements, quality, cost, and all of the other features of any air conditioning system is enough to make your head spin. We are here to make it simple to make the best choice for your family, home, and wallet.

Types Of Air Conditioner Units

There are six different types of air conditioners that are each designed for a different space or reason. These six types of A/C units are the basic central A/C, ductless, window unit, portable unit, hybrid, and geothermal.

Central Air Conditioners

A central air conditioner combines the evaporator, condenser, and compressor in a single unit that is placed on a roof or a concrete slab near the foundation. From the unit, ducts running through the exterior wall or roof draw air from inside the house and return cooled air indoors. This type of air conditioner can also be combined with a set of heating coils or a natural gas furnace inside the building.

Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioners

This is a good choice for houses that do not have ductwork. The ductless, mini-split systems combine an outdoor compressor and condenser with one or more indoor air-handling units. These units are mounted on the wall with blowers attached. Tubing connects the indoor and outdoor units and circulates refrigerant between them.

Window Units

These are the most common types of A/C units for single rooms. All of the components are enclosed in a single box with a single thermostat gauge that is fitted in a slot made in the wall or window sill where the unit sits.

Portable Units

This is similar to a window system, but it can be moved from room to room. It’s self-contained and freestanding on the floor so you can move it from room to room or apartment to apartment. It only uses an outlet to power on and a window to funnel out the exhaust air.

Hybrid Air Conditioner

Hybrid type A/C systems alternate between burning fossil fuels and using electricity to save money and energy while running your system. In the summer, the heat pump works as it normally does, pulling heat from your home and distributing it outdoors. In the winter, your hybrid heat pump system works in reverse, pulling heat from the outside environment and distributing it into your home.

Which system will work best for you will ultimately depend on how much square footage is in your home, and what your cooling needs are. If you’re ready to start looking for the best new system for your home, contact AirOne Heating and Air Conditioning, a San Marcos HVAC contractor, to get help from a professional.