Over 90 percent of U.S. households use air conditioning equipment. That makes the AC one of the most common appliances in homes today. 

An AC can dramatically improve the comfort of your home, especially during the sweltering heat of the summer. Good air conditioning keeps your home cool, besides improving your indoor air quality (IAQ). 

If you’ve been thinking of investing in a new air conditioner, you’ll be happy to know that the options are numerous. You can find different types of AC units for homes of all sizes today. 

In today’s comprehensive guide, we discuss the top seven commonest air conditioning options to choose from. This way, you can make an informed decision when the time to replace your AC comes. 

Read on to learn more.

1. Central Air Conditioner

Central air conditioners are among the most popular air conditioning types in America today. This AC unit is perfect for larger homes and where the homeowner wishes to cool several rooms at once. 

Central air conditioners typically use a split system to regulate air through ducts in your home. That’s why these ACs are also referred to as ducted systems.

As the name implies, a split system has two main units, the outdoor unit, and its indoor counterpart. The outdoor unit contains the condenser and compressor. The indoor unit has the air handler and the condenser.

Central air conditioners use refrigerant to remove heat from your indoor air. Almost all other ACs do so. The ducts are for pulling out the heat and pushing in cool air. 

Modern central ACs are used together with programmable thermostats for better efficiency and an overall smart home experience. 

2. Ductless Mini-Split AC

One of the setbacks of using air ducts is that they tend to decrease the efficiency of your AC system. Ductless mini-split ACs do away with this issue in that no ductwork is needed.

A ductless air conditioner features an outdoor unit that comprises a condenser and air compressor. There are also one or more indoor units mounted on your home’s walls. These indoor units have air blowers.

The outdoor unit is connected to the indoor unit through tubing. Given that indoor units are typically small and compact, you may need to install a unit in each room you need to be cooled. 

Ductless mini-split ACs are among the most energy-efficient types of AC. Your loved ones also get to control the temperature of individual rooms.

However, installation costs can be heavy on your pocket, particularly if you’re installing an indoor unit in each of your rooms. 

3. Window Air Conditioning Units

As the name implies, window ACs are usually installed in a home’s windows. Installation can also be done by making a hole in the wall. 

The system ejects hot air out of its outdoor component and blows cool air into your living space using its indoor side. Window ACs feature a filter that easily slides out for cleaning or replacement. 

Window air conditioners are more suited for cooling single rooms or small areas. These units are considerably easy to install and maintain. 

The downside of these ACs is that they can be noisy during operation. Besides, these ACs tend to be visible from the outdoors and may affect your home’s curb appeal. Moreover, they can obscure the view through your window.

4. Portable AC

Portable ACs are similar to window ACs in a number of ways. For instance, portable ACs come in a single unit with its components enclosed inside. 

The main difference between the two types of AC units is that portable air conditioners are free-standing. 

As the name suggests, you can move the AC from one room to another. All you need is a power outlet and access to a window in the specific room you place the AC. The window is essential for venting hot air from the unit to the outdoors through its funnel. 

Portable ACs come in handy when you need to cool a room temporarily or it’s impractical to install window or split ACs. Smaller portable ACs can be used for cooling kennels and bathrooms.

One set back with portable ACs is that they tend to be noisy. Moreover, these units are unsuitable for cooling large spaces.

5. Hybrid Air Conditioner

Hybrid air conditioners are also referred to as dual fuel ACs. These units combine an electric air-source heat pump with a gas furnace, delivering a more efficient and cost-effective heating and cooling solution. 

The system can automatically switch between electricity and fossil fuel as necessary. You can program the unit to switch from furnace to heat pump and vice versa. 

Hybrid ACs help you maximize your indoor comfort while reducing your utility bills. These ACs also help minimize your carbon footprint compared to other ACs. 

A major concern for many homeowners considering hybrid AC units is their cost of initial setup, which can be high. 

6. Smart AC

Smart ACs are a special kind of window, portable, or mini-split AC systems with IoT features. For example, you connect the AC to the Wi-Fi and control the AC from your smartphone.

Smart ACs come with a ton of functionalities, including weekly scheduling, comfy mode, geofencing, temperature range control, and many more. These features help you achieve superb comfort while saving on energy. 

As you’d probably expect, smart ACs are more expensive than other kinds of AC units. They also require Wi-Fi connectivity for you to enjoy all their features. 

7. Geothermal AC System

Geothermal AC units are relatively new in the market. They function using the earth’s insulating properties.

Geothermal ACs take advantage of the temperatures of the land below four to six feet that remain consistent throughout the year. Using cutting edge technology, these ACs tap that temperature to keep your indoor space comfortable all year round. 

These ACs are highly energy efficient. They also last much longer than all other AC types on this list.

The high costs of initial setup can be inhibitive, though. 

Now You Know the Different Types of AC Units for Homes

As you can see, there are many types of AC units for homes from which to choose. Think about your specific heating needs and budget before making the final decision. Your home’s comfort and energy consumption depend on it.

Are you interested in reliable AC solutions? Please, contact us today.