Many people can agree on their first thought once those first hot summer days approach… air conditioning. An important decision you will most definitely want to make before the unbearably hot days begin to approach is whether or not to go with an installation of central air conditioning or a window unit. A lot of people might wonder, is central air more efficient than a window unit? Which one will I benefit from?
If you’re worried about central air being more energy efficient than a window unit, well that is not necessarily the case. According to a 2001 analysis by the Energy Information Administration “Air conditioning accounts for more than 15 percent of the energy use of the average home—somewhere around 183 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in the United States per year”. So when it comes to deciding on which one to choose it all comes down to preference and reliability. However, there are many different pros and cons for both options.
For starters, you have two basic choices when it comes to cooling your home, centralized system or a single-room unit. Many factors come into play when deciding on which one is most suitable for your abode.
In order to decide if central air is better than window units for your home you need to look into initial installation cost, accessibility, features, distribution, noise, maintenance costs, replacement costs, where the hot spots are in your home, and overall usage.
Initial Installation Cost
Window units, themselves, do not have an installation cost and they are relatively cheaper than central air systems. They can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,100+ depending on size, power, BTU output, and brand. A window unit can be a pain to lug into your space based on how many obstacles you have in the way and where you need the unit to be but if you have an extra set of hands, it should be less of a hassle to place.
Central air systems cost anywhere from 3,000 to 7,000+ to install. Of course, this all depends on how large your home is and what is needed for installation. It is obviously much more expensive than a window unit but for their own logical reasons and to find out which is best for you- be sure to take a look into every possibility.
Accessibility
When you have a window unit air conditioner, you can simply head to the unit and set it to your desired temperature and power. This requires you to walk to the part of the house that has the unit or units. It also means, depending on how up to date the unit is, you would typically have to have a set temperature in mind. Some newer window units include a remote which makes it more convenient when changing the settings.
Central air systems are usually installed in one main part of a house. When you have a central unit, you can easily walk to this main hub in the house and set your system to your desired preference of air quality. In comparison to a window unit, central air systems make it easier to set a more long term timer and temperature setting to basically auto control the air intake and circulation without having to constantly visit the unit
Features
Window units have evolved time and time again. From having just a simple on and off switch and cold/hot button, to having exact numeric temperature settings along with touch screens. There are different features that may come with a window unit but many people may know these units based on their simplicity of having minimal features.
Central air systems contain more state of the art technology and are typically touch screen based. Central air systems can also be central heating systems. This combination of heat and air make for an efficient year round system which can cause a variety of features. These include, but are not limited to, having multi-settings to control different parts of a house, setting the system to turn on and off at certain times, and setting different temperatures throughout the day.
Distribution
A window unit will distribute air throughout a room depending on its size and shape. Consumer Reports says that Window air conditioners typically have a cooling capacity ranging from 5,000 to 12,500 British thermal units (Btu/hr.). As a rule of thumb, an air conditioner needs 20 Btu for each square foot of living space. Most people have multiple window units for different rooms because of this distribution issue. Whereas, central air systems circulate air through a system of supply and return ducts. Supply ducts such as openings in the walls, floors, or ceilings covered by grills, carry air from the central unit to the home and distribute through these registers. Once this air becomes a certain temperature when it circulates through a home, it flows back to the central unit through return ducts and registers.
Noise
It’s no secret that most window air conditioning units are somewhat intense when it comes to noise level. The volume actually depends on how old the unit is, or if an inside piece is dirty or needs lubrication. Overall, the reason for window units noise level is based on the fact that it’s loudest components (the fan and the compressor) are packed together in the same small area which then sits on a window ledge making for a louder sound.
When it comes to central air systems, for the most part, they are quiet as long as the condenser, compressor, along with other parts, are fairly new and clean. It also depends on the brand and whether or not they include a ductless system. A ductless unit usually consists of an indoor unit that is mounted on a wall combined with an outside compressor.
Maintenance and Replacement Costs
Window units may look simple enough and your first thought may be to just turn it on and let it do its job. However, there is much more that goes into most appliances, especially when it comes to maintenance. Many people think that a window unit is a quick cooling fix but they do not think of what may happen if something goes wrong. The most common problems with window air conditioners are damaged condenser coils and dirty air filters. Although these things can be cleaned and fixed, they are also prone to becoming so damaged to the point of no repair. Maintaining your window unit is important because although it may seem simple, it still needs to be treated with care. Maintenance costs for window units can range anywhere from $20-$175 depending on the issue.
If you thought maintaining a window unit was expensive, you should listen up. Central air systems involve more maintenance but over less time. First, you should make sure the concrete pad under the unit outside does not sink. If the pad starts to sink over time, it is fine unless it starts to tighten any lines with it or if water begins to puddle around it. If this starts to happen it can be a simple fix but if you let this pad sink completely and/or get drenched, it can eventually pull the whole unit and damage what is left of the system, creating an even costlier problem- buying a new unit. This obviously would not be ideal considering the cost for a new unit can range from a couple thousand to several thousands of dollars.
Not only does a central unit need to have a propped up and dry pad, but it also has filters that need to be regularly cleaned and changed just like a window unit. This process is more expensive than a window unit considering its size difference and overall system. Bottom line is if you expect to have a unit that works and is safe and efficient to use, expect to maintain it as best you can. The better you maintain the longer it will last you and the less you will have to spend on several parts.
Hot Spots
Do you have that one part of your house where you find yourself lingering the most? Window units are prime for these hot spots. They are ideal for cooling down a particular area in half the time because, well, that is what they are made to do. It is the quick solution to cooling spots in your home if you find yourself in one area more than others. If you have a house on the smaller side, it is common to get a window unit because that is all you need to get the job done. Whereas, larger homes may either require multiple units (which can become a pain when it comes to storing away) or having a central air unit which makes more sense.
Central air units are great because one touch of a button and it works it’s magic by cooling the whole house. This can take a little more time, though, because it will need to work to push out the air and make its way through the vents. However, it is not something that takes forever
Storage
Window units can be a pain to store depending on how many people you have to help and how many units you have to put away. As long as you have a place for the units along with time and assistance, then it could be worth it for a quicker and more inexpensive way to cool down your abode.
On the contrary, central air units are a one time installation, which can make life a lot simpler when the issue of storage comes up. Obviously, central air systems will already be set up in your home in the areas most convenient for air flow. Although on the pricier side, central air systems have little to no storage concerns when it comes to changing seasons or rearranging living space.
Overall Usage
A lot like cooling systems, not all people are the same and we all have our different preferences. When it comes down to it, you will need to decide which of these options suit your home the best. Although it may seem absurd, it does take some planning and budgeting to decide between these two options. What may seem like a basic decision to one person can be a completely life altering decision to another. It also depends on whether or not a family is involved and deciding the importance between all of the factors mentioned above. Once you figure out what will work best in your home and fit your needs and those around you, then it will be on to the next homeowner decision- big or small.