How to Protect Your Heat Pump from Snow & Ice
November 17, 2023
There’s no doubt that in the Downriver area, having an effective air conditioner is imperative for staying comfortable during the hot summer months. And when you’re shopping for a new cooling system for your home, it’s important that you choose a quality unit; otherwise, you could end up with regular discomfort, expensive energy bills, and frequent mechanical problems. It’s also crucial that you choose the right type of air conditioner for your household. Although many people don’t realize it, there are many kinds of systems available, and they each offer their own advantages and disadvantages. Here, we’ll cover seven of the most common AC types and the basic info that you should know about them.
Central air conditioners are extremely common in American households, and they’re often the default choice for homeowners purchasing a new system. Central air conditioners work by using a split system to circulate cool air through ducts that are installed in the home. These systems consist of an indoor unit, which contains a condenser and a compressor, and an outdoor unit, which contains evaporator coils and an air handler.
To cool down your home, a central air conditioner will use refrigerant to remove heat from your indoor air. That heat will be transferred out of the house, and the cool air will be pushed through the ducts to reach the different sections of your living space.
Ductless mini-split systems share a lot of similarities with central air conditioners, with the primary difference being that they don’t use air ducts. Just like central air systems, ductless mini-split air conditioners feature an outdoor unit and one or more indoor units. The outdoor units feature a compressor and a condenser, while the indoor unit is mounted on the wall and features air blowers. Unlike central air conditioners, ductless mini-split systems are only meant to cool down one room or area of the home. If you want to control the climate in multiple parts of the house, you need to have more indoor units installed. Each indoor unit is connected to the outdoor unit through tubing, and refrigerant circulates between them to cool down your home’s air.
Window air conditioners, as the name suggests, are AC units that are typically installed in a window. These cooling systems come in a variety of sizes, and they’re generally used to cool down one room or a small area of the home. That said, if you have a smaller house, a large window unit may be enough to effectively cool it down. Window air conditioners consist of a single unit with all of its components contained inside, and they work by ejecting heat outside and blowing cool air inside.
Floor-mounted air conditioners are quite similar to ductless mini-split systems. However, instead of using a wall-mounted indoor unit, these systems use an indoor unit that rests on the floor. Floor-mounted systems also utilize an outdoor unit and don’t require any installed ductwork. These air conditioners are popular for homes that lack wall space, have tilted walls, or are built with glass or other fragile materials. With a floor-mounted system, the indoor unit is connected to the outdoor unit through a small hole in the wall.
Essentially, portable air conditioners are like window air conditioners that are capable of being moved from one room to another. Just like window air conditioners, these portable systems comprise a single unit, which is free-standing and requires only a power outlet and access to a window to do its job. Using either one or two hoses, these portable systems remove heat from the room’s air and eject it outside.
Geothermal air conditioners are modern systems that use the natural insulation of the earth to heat and cool your home. Underneath the ground, the temperatures remain consistent all year long, and these systems take advantage of that fact. Geothermal systems feature piping that circulates water between your home, a heat pump, and a unit underneath the ground. These systems are most popular in areas with extreme climates.
To learn more about our heating and cooling services and how to choose the right air conditioner, contact Flo-Aire Heating, Cooling & Electrical at (734) 285-1809 to speak with one of our HVAC experts. If you need to schedule an appointment, please use our online form here!
Locally owned and operated in Southgate, MI since 1955, Flo-Aire Heating, Cooling & Electrical is one of the top heating & cooling companies in Southeast Michigan. Flo-Aire provides residential, commercial and industrial HVAC services throughout all of Metro Detroit.
