When Should Window Units Go? Your AC Upgrade Options

Should you get rid of your old window unit air conditioners? With the weather warming and the humidity rising, your older window AC units may no longer do their job. Before you replace your air conditioners, take a look at what you need to know about your home cooling options and professional HVAC services.

Why Should You Replace AC Window Units?

Poor cooling is a top reason to replace this type of air conditioner. But it's not the only reason. Older AC units are less energy-efficient than newer models. This means along with poor cooling, your old window unit could cost you unnecessarily in the price of high electricity bills. Add on the expense of using multiple room units to cool several spaces in your house and you could end up with utility bills that break your household budget.

When Should You Consider a Different Type of Air Conditioner?

Window units are temporary, easy to remove, and can cool a single space (such as your bedroom) effectively. While these units make sense for one-room cooling, they aren't the most efficient answer for every home. If you need to replace old window units and you're not sure whether to upgrade to a different type of system (such as a central air conditioner or a mini-split ductless option), consider:

• Your home's floor plan. Did you recently renovate and create an open floor plan? Does every room that you want to cool have a door? If you have large connected open indoor spaces or doorless rooms, window units are not the best option.
• The number of spaces you want to cool. Have you gone from wanting to only cool your bedroom to cooling almost every space in your home? If you need to cool your whole home, a central system is a better choice.
• You don't like the look of window units. Window units aren't the most aesthetically pleasing AC option. The small vents of a central system or wall- or ceiling-mounted air handlers of a mini-split can upgrade your interior décor plan.

Overall energy efficiency is also a major reason to upgrade from old window units to a new central or mini-split system. An HVAC contractor can review the total energy needs of several window units versus the amount of electricity a central or mini-split AC system would draw.

Which AC System Is the Best Choice for Your Home?

Have you made the decision to replace your old, worn, and inefficient window units with a new type of AC system? The next step is to choose an option that matches your home's cooling needs. Questions to ask before you select a system include:

• Does your home have ducts? Ducts are a major add-on that could require serious home renovations. If your home doesn't have ducts and you want to remove window units, consider a ductless mini-split AC system.
• Do you want to cool all of your home? If the answer to this question is yes, a central system is an effective, efficient option. But if you don't need to cool some spaces, a mini-split system uses a zoned approach.
• What size system do you need? Bigger isn't always better. Not only should you select the type of air conditioner that best matches your home cooling needs, but you also need to pick the right size.
• What are energy savings? Mini-split systems won't suffer from duct-related cooling loss. This, combined with a zoned strategy, can reduce your home's energy needs.

To learn more about home cooling and your AC options, talk to a professional. A licensed HVAC contractor can review the different models, brands, and size options available for your home. The professional can help you find the most efficient system in your price range, install your new air conditioner, and create a regular service schedule.

Are you ready to upgrade from window units to another type of AC system? Contact Comfort Technology Heating & Air Conditioning for more information.