Window AC Unit

Central Air vs. Window AC Units

The Best Way to Cool Your Home

When it comes to cooling your home, you’re lucky enough to have a few options to choose from. This allows you to explore their features, efficiency levels, and sizes to really get a feel for which one is right for your home.

A long-standing face-off in the cooling world is central air versus the window AC unit. Both of these methods of comfort control have different pros and cons when it comes to owning one. Read on to explore each type and learn which is right for your home and cooling needs.

Central Air

There is nothing like walking into a building on a very hot day and being greeted with a blanket of cool air completely surrounding you. This is often a feeling achieved through central air cooling.

Pros

That feeling of total envelopment in the cool air is one of the biggest pros of central air conditioning. With central air, you’re able to completely cool the whole-home with your thermostat, unit, and system of ducts running from room to room. This also provides even temperatures throughout each room.

Central air conditioning is also capable of providing cleaner air to your home through their built-in filtration system. This will help keep allergens and airborne particles out of the air you’re breathing.

Finally, the central air system is automated, making it very easy to operate. Thanks to modern thermostat technology, you’re also able to increase the AC’s efficiency through scheduling and smart adjustments. Smart thermostats allow you to cut energy consumption while making sure your home is cool when you get home from work every day.

Cons

The main downside to the wonder of central air? The cost. These systems cost much more than a window unit would upfront. These units can also require expensive maintenance down the road should anything become damaged.

If you’re cooling a large home, however, using one central air system rather than 5 or 6 window units could end up saving you in the long run, while providing you with more even comfort.

Window Units

Placed snugly in your window, these units can be small but mighty!

Pros

The biggest advantage of purchasing a window unit is that they are much more affordable than central air. If you have three rooms in your home that you’re wanting to cool, you can place a window unit in each room and only turn the unit on when needed, which could be an energy saver!

Window units are also relatively easy to install, often not requiring the help of an HVAC professional. Be sure to follow the instructions very carefully to avoid a falling or malfunctioning unit, however.

Cons

The downside to these mini units is that they simply don’t cool as evenly as central air conditioning does. They also don’t have the ability to cool down your entire home with just one unit.

Finally, they also do not have a filtration system, meaning your air is susceptible to allergens like pollen, dander, and dust.

HVAC Installation in Lynbrook, NY

If you would like more information regarding the heating and cooling systems for your home, give AWS Plumbing, Heating & Cooling a call at (516) 217-2196. We can discuss your options and begin the process of cooling down your home.