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You are here:
1. Home
2.  Appliances
3.  8 Types of Air Conditioners (Buying Guide)
Appliances
8 Types of Air Conditioners (Buying
Guide)

Need an air conditioner? When you need one, you need one. Learn
everything you need to know about air conditioners here including 8 types of
air conditioners, BTU, where to buy them and more.

I’ll never forget the Summer of 2015 in Vancouver, BC. It was the summer our
second son was born, which was during a heatwave like no other (for
Vancouver). We had 30+ degree (Celsius) weather for at least two months,
maybe three months.
 Okay, I know if you’re from Florida you’re thinking, come on, that’s nothing. I
agree, but most people in Vancouver don’t have air conditioners, including us.
That changed that summer.

With an infant in the house, we had to get his room cool. In fact, the heatwave
started before he was born, so I had gone Canadian Tire to buy one. Good
thing I bought one as soon as the heatwave hit; a week later the place was
sold out. Many people we know who waited to buy an air conditioner waited
weeks for the stores to get new stock. There was run on them that summer.

When you need an air conditioner, you need an air conditioner. Here are your
options.

Table of Contents
o A. Air Conditioner Buying Guide
o B. Types of Air Conditioners
o 1. Window Air Conditioners
o 2. Central Air Conditioning
o 3. Portable Air Conditioners
o 4. Through-the-wall Air Conditioners
o 5. Ductless Split System Air Conditioners
o 6. Package Terminal Air Conditioners
o 7. Evaporative or “Swamp” Coolers
o 8. Geothermal Heating and Cooling
o C. What to Consider Before Purchasing Your Air Conditioning System
o 1. Cost
o 2. BTU Output
o 2. Square Footage BTUs Required
o 3. Controls
o 4. Plug Types
o 5. SEER and EER Ratings
o D. Where To Purchase Air Conditioners
o FUNNY: Al Bundy Buys an Air Conditioner – und die Kaiser
This is the ultimate guide to buying an air conditioner.

FYI, here’s my Arctic King AC review. It’s a portable window AC.

A. Air Conditioner Buying Guide

When looking to buy an air conditioner, there are quite a few variables to
consider.

Before you buy anything, be sure to take a look at all of the different types of
air conditioners available on the market.

Once you’ve decided on the air conditioning system that’s right for you, some
other factors to consider include cost, BTU output, controls, and energy
efficiency.

B. Types of Air Conditioners

Once you’ve decided to purchase an air conditioner, your choices will include
everything from window units to central air conditioning, portable air
conditioners, through-the-wall air conditioners, ductless split systems,
package terminal air conditioners, swamp coolers and even geothermal
cooling systems.
1. Window Air Conditioners
 Source: Amazon

Window air conditioners are the most common type of air conditioning you
see. As you walk down a city street in the summer and look up, you’ll see
plenty of these installed in the windows above you. Or worse, but just as
common, you’ll be dripped on by their condensation!

This type of air conditioner, normally mounted in a window, has an exhaust

system which pushes hot air out the back and sides, while the refrigerant
cooling system is pointed indoors.

Commonly, these units have the ability to cool one room at a time, and if you
have a large home, you may need one of these installed in each room you
want cooled. Largely inexpensive, these are still the most popular option for
those who live in small homes or apartments. Another advantage of the
window unit is that they can be moved between rooms as necessary and
removed altogether in colder months.

One of the disadvantages of window air conditioners is losing the use of the
window that it’s installed in, both in terms of access to fresh air and the
amount light which enters the room. A less common concern, but one to be
aware of, is that window units mounted in windows close to the ground can be
easily compromised by burglars.

2. Central Air Conditioning

Source: Amazon
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alqqFMT7jqU

For those with a large home who want to cool many rooms at once, central air
conditioning or “central air” as it’s commonly known, is going to be the most
effective form of air conditioning.

The system begins with a cooling compressor, which is located outside of the
home and is the piece that actually cools the air. A coil filled with refrigerant is
used to cool the air, which is then blown by a fan and distributed throughout
your house through your established ductwork.

Using these supply and return ducts, central air conditioning circulates the
cool air through a building while warm air is then carried back through the
return system and pushed out of the house through an exhaust system.

Your central air conditioning system will use the same system of ducts that
your heating system uses to direct air from the furnace. Although most older
homes will not be fitted with central air, they will have this duct system, which
makes central air easy to install should you decide to do so.

Because you’re dealing with the insides of your house, this type of system
requires the most planning of any discussed here. Central air requires a
professional to install and will be the most expensive system we look at here.

3. Portable Air Conditioners

 Source: Amazon

Similar to window air conditioners, portable air conditioners are another

example of a “unitary” or self-contained air conditioning system. What this
means is that like window units, portable air conditioners have all of their
important components contained within one appliance.

These units are most commonly used in situations where either the design of
a room or building rules and regulations prevent the installation of a window
unit. The way these work is by cooling the air with a condenser coil contained
inside the unit and then sending the warm air out through a large exhaust
hose.

The exhaust hose is a large tube which resembles a dryer vent and connects
the unit to an airtight window kit, directing the exhaust outdoors. These
window kits are usually included with the unit.

As a result of the condenser and exhaust fan being located within the same
casing, these units are typically a bit noisier than other air conditioners. The
excessive noise is the result of the evaporator fan. This is the fan that
evaporates the collected condensation inside the unit.

Also, these units have proven to be ineffective in rooms that are larger than
500 square feet.

Because of the noise and relative weakness of these units, many see the
portable air conditioner as a last resort in situations where a window unit is
impractical. To their credit, these units are relatively light and usually have
wheels, making them easy to move between rooms.
4. Through-the-wall Air Conditioners

Source: Amazon

Just like window air conditioners, through-the-wall air conditioners bring in

warm air which is then exhausted, while they send cool air back into the room.
Like window units and portable air conditioners, these are self-contained or
“unitary” systems.

For those without accessible windows, through-the-wall air conditioners are a

viable option but require some planning because unlike window units, they will
be mounted permanently and cannot be removed.

In order to mount one of these, a hole must be cut in an exterior wall, into
which a sleeve is installed. These sleeves are necessary to support the weight
of the air conditioner, as the wall itself is not strong enough to. As you’ll be
cutting into a wall of your house, it is highly recommended that this installation
is performed by a professional.
One of the advantages of a through-the-wall air conditioner versus a window
unit is that you don’t lose the use of your window. Another advantage is that
there is an airtight seal created, making the unit more energy efficient.

5. Ductless Split System Air Conditioners

 Source: Lowe’s

 
“Split systems” are the air conditioners that provide cooling to different “zones”
within a home. These systems, unlike window units or portable air
conditioners, are not self-contained appliances, but as the name suggests, are
comprised of a two-part system. These are most commonly used in buildings
without a comprehensive duct system.

They’re called a ‘split system’ because they consist of two or more parts, the
condenser unit, which is installed outdoors, and then compact blower units or
evaporative units, which are usually mounted on walls, situated in appropriate
areas for the ‘zones’ you want to be cool. These parts are connected via
conduits, which carry the power and refrigerant lines.

The advantage to split systems is that they can cool different rooms at
different temperatures, as each compact unit is equipped with its own
thermostat. Because of this feature, these systems can also be even more
expensive than having a central air conditioning system installed.

6. Package Terminal Air Conditioners

Package Terminal Air Conditioners or PTACs are the types of air conditioning
system which is commonly found in commercial spaces such as hotels,
hospitals, apartment buildings, and senior or assisted living facilities.

If you’ve stayed in a hotel before, you know that these are most often installed
just above the floor and usually just below a window. The part you don’t see is
that on the other side of the wall, the PTAC has an exhaust system sending
warm air outside of the building.

Although they are often used in commercial settings, they are also a viable
option as a home air conditioning system.
 Source: Amazon

Like all air conditioners, PTACs send coolant through a compressor which
cools the air, which is then re-directed into the room being cooled. Unlike
central air conditioning, though, PTAC systems are ductless, which makes
installation significantly less expensive than central air systems. Compared
with central systems, PTACs are not too difficult to install and also cost less
up front.

One of the main advantages to having a PTAC system is that in addition to

being air conditioners, they often double as heating systems.

PTAC systems are generally used to heat or cool a single room. In many
cases, a PTAC can be the elegant solution to a very specific problem.
Imagine, for example; you’ve added a room to your house that is not
connected to your central ductwork. Or if you have a room that receives an
excessive amount of sunlight and gets warmer than the rest of the house. In
cases like this, installing a PTAC can prevent you from overusing your central
air conditioning just for the sake of cooling one room.

7. Evaporative or “Swamp” Coolers

 Source: Amazon

Evaporative Coolers, sometimes referred to as “swamp coolers,” aren’t nearly

as common as refrigerant air conditioners, but can be equally as effective.
Unlike traditional air conditioners, which use a refrigerant, commonly referred
to as Freon, swamp coolers use only air and water.

The technology behind a swamp cooler is so simple, in fact, that a version of it

can be traced back to ancient Egypt.

Simply put, when air passes above or through water, the air is cooled. With
this in mind, evaporative coolers pull hot air into your house through
moistened pads, which cools the air. This cooled air is then distributed
throughout your house.

One of the limitations of an evaporative cooler is that they can only really be
used in hot, dry climates. It is the hot, dry air that causes the evaporation. In
addition, swamp coolers act as humidifiers and would be undesirable in
climates where humidity is already a problem.

As a result, swamp coolers are particularly popular in areas such as the

American Southwest.

One of the benefits of a swamp cooler is that it uses significantly less energy
than traditional air conditioners, as the only electricity being used is to operate
the fan. Another benefit for the ecologically conscious is that because swamp
coolers do not use Freon nor emit carbon dioxide, both of which have been
proven to have detrimental effects on the environment.

8. Geothermal Heating and Cooling

 Source: Trane

Geothermal cooling is a relatively new, energy efficient technology which is

rapidly becoming popular around the world.

Because of the insulating properties of the earth, the ground beneath us

maintains a relatively consistent temperature of around 55 degrees Fahrenheit
year-round. Regardless of what the weather is like outside, the earth 4 to 6
feet down remains relatively unaffected.

Geothermal technology takes advantage of this ground temperature to heat

and cool your home more efficiently than other methods.
A piping system, often known as a “loop,” or “earth loop,” circulates water
between your home, a heat pump, and the earth itself. These polyethylene
pipes can be installed either vertically or horizontally, depending on the nature
of the site’s geography.

In the winter, water runs through this earth loop and absorbs heat from the
ground. This heat is then compressed, which raises the temperature, and then
delivered into your home.

In the summer, this process is reversed. Heat from your home comes into the
heat pump, the excess heat is removed and delivered into the ground, and the
resulting cool air is then distributed through your home.

This system is revolutionary in that no fossil fuels are burned in order to create
heat. The heat is simply being transferred to and from the earth. Electric
power is being used, of course, to run the compressor, fan, and pump.

Because of the sustainability of this method, geothermal heating and cooling

is becoming more popular every year, especially in Europe. in Switzerland
and Sweden, over 70% of new homes use geothermal heating and cooling.

C. What to Consider Before Purchasing Your

Air Conditioning System
Before you purchase an air conditioner or have an air conditioning system
installed, there are a handful of factors you’ll want to consider.

1. Cost
Depending on what type of system you’re interested in, the cost of cooling
your home can vary from a few hundred dollars (for a portable air conditioner
or window unit) to a several thousand dollars (to have central air conditioning
installed).

The truth is that there’s no reliable way to price an air conditioning system
unless you know what you’re getting. Like anything else, your best bet is to
figure out what you want, and then compare prices from several different
retailers.

2. BTU Output
The amount of energy your air conditioner puts out is measured in BTUs or
British Thermal Units. In order to decide on how many BTUs your air
conditioner should have, you need to figure out how much space (in square
feet) you’ll be trying to cool.

You can easily measure the square footage of a room using a tape measure,
but unless your room is a perfect rectangle, don’t forget to account for all of
the entrances, closets and any other nooks and crannies the room might
have.

2. Square Footage BTUs Required

100 – 150 5,000

150 – 250 6,000

250 – 300 7,000

300 – 350 8,000

350 – 400 9,000

400 – 450 10,000

450 – 500 12,000

500 – 700 14,000

700 – 1,000 18,000

1,000 – 1,200 21,000

1,200 – 1,400 23,000

1,400 – 1,500 24,000

1,500 – 2,000 30,000

2,000 – 2,500 34,000

Although this chart is a good general guide to BTUs needed, there are other
variables that will contribute to the way a room gets cooled. These include the
following:

a. Room Occupancy

As a result of body heat, the number of people that are in a room will
contribute to how warm that room is. The chart above budgets for two people
in a room. Although it is not an exact measurement, basically for each
additional person in a room, add 600 BTUs to your calculation.

b. Heat from Appliances

If you’re planning on using an air conditioner to cool your kitchen, the heat

from the oven, range, or microwave should also be factored into the overall
temperature. An extra 4,000 BTUs should compensate for this added warmth.
c. Shady or Sunny?

If the room you’re cooling gets a large amount of sunlight (like an indoor porch
or sunroom, naturally) or a very small amount of sunlight (a basement or rec
room), you can add or subtract 10 BTUs from your calculation.

d. Other Factors

Additional factors which can contribute to necessary BTU output to cool a

room include high ceilings, quality of insulation, and types of lighting used.

3. Controls
Something else to take into account when deciding on the type of air
conditioner you want is the type of control you want to use. For example,
central air conditioning is usually connected to your thermostat, and once
you’ve set your ideal temperature, you’ll be able to leave it alone, and the
system will do all of the work for you automatically.

Other units such as portable or window units do not respond automatically,

meaning you need to monitor them by hand. This can include everything from
manual dials to digital keypads to remote controls.

As we’ve mentioned above, one of the major benefits of ductless split systems
is the ability to cool different rooms or “zones” at different temperatures. If
your whole family is spending time in one part of the house and the rest is
empty, it doesn’t make much sense to be cooling the entire thing.

4. Plug Types
Because of the amount of power many air conditioners use, a lot of them
won’t be compatible with standard wall sockets. Many of the smaller portable
and window units will use standard 120-volt plugs, but many larger units will
use 240 or 250-volt plugs, which require special outlets.

Before you purchase an air conditioner, check the plug to see if it looks like a
standard plug or more like the large plug that you see on your dryer cable.
This is often the case with air conditioners that are putting out more than
15,000 BTUs.

If you are purchasing one of these larger units, you’ll need to have an
electrician install a special outlet for you, with a dedicated circuit to power your
air conditioner.

5. SEER and EER Ratings

Every air conditioner you look at will have a SEER or EER rating. These stand
for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and Energy Efficiency Ratio,
respectively.

Both of these ratios are calculated by dividing the cooling output (in BTU) by
the energy input (in watt-hours) under certain conditions.

The difference is that EER is calculated at 95 degrees Fahrenheit, giving you

a sense of your air conditioner’s efficiency during the summertime, when
people use their systems the most. The SEER, on the other hand, is based on
an average of temperatures from different times of the year. Most air
conditioners will list both.

Simply stated, the higher the EER/SEER rating is, the more energy efficient
your air conditioner will be. In turn, units with higher EER ratings will usually
be more expensive. The trade-off comes over time when accounting for your
electric bills, which higher EERs can reduce.
 Units that are marked with Energy Star labels are going to be manufactured
according to strict guidelines which are set by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency as well as the U.S. Department of Energy.

D. Where To Purchase Air Conditioners

Now that you’re familiar with the different types of air conditioners available to
you and know what factors to consider when shopping for an air conditioner,
it’s time to take the leap of purchasing the system that’s right for your needs.

For Central Air, or Through-the-Wall air conditioning systems, you’ll want to

consult with an HVAC specialist or residential contractor before purchasing
your system.

For window units or portable air conditioners, here is our list of online
suppliers:

o WayFair
o Lowe’s
o The Home Depot
o National Air Warehouse
o AC4Life
FUNNY: Al Bundy Buys an Air Conditioner –
und die Kaiser
I admit it, I loved Married with Children TV show growing up. One of my
favorite episodes is the one where Al Bundy, ever the cheapskate, buys a
circa WWII air conditioner. Here’s the clip:

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