In general, you’ll need about 20 BTUs for every square foot of interior space, though homes in sunny, warm climates may require more. A system that’s too small will have to work too hard to cool the space, but a system that’s too big may waste electricity, driving your energy costs up. The AC unit size you need will be determined by the size of the space you want to cool.įinding the right system size is important to keeping your utility bills reasonable. A ton of cooling is equal to about 12,000 BTUs. Central air conditioners are typically measured in tons, and smaller or portable AC units are measured in BTUs. Tons refers not to the unit’s weight but to the volume of air it can cool-a one-ton system can cool a ton of air in an hour. Though expensive ($5,000 to $12,000), they’re often more cost-effective to install than a separate heating and cooling system, at least up-front.Īir conditioners are typically measured in either tons or British Thermal Units ( BTUs ). These aren’t the most efficient systems, and the components are subject to extra weathering since they’re outside, but they can be a good choice for small homes in moderate climates that want to maximize interior space. Gas Pack HVAC SystemĪ gas pack system contains both an air conditioner and a heater, usually a gas furnace, in a single unit that’s typically located outdoors. This type of system typically costs $3,800 to $7,500 to install. These systems have an indoor air handler that pushes cooled air throughout a home’s ductwork and an outdoor condenser that houses the compressor, evaporator coils, and other key mechanical components. However, they do an excellent job of cooling and dehumidifying indoor air. Central Air Conditionerīy far the most popular type of air conditioning unit in hot climates, central AC systems are the most expensive to install and run. These systems can cost anywhere from $4,200 to $7,600, depending on the energy source they use. Heat pumps are becoming more popular thanks to their low cost of operation and high energy efficiency and are available in several configurations-mini-split heat pumps, multi-split heat pumps, and centrally ducted heat pumps. Although heat pumps were previously most useful in moderate climates, the technology has advanced enough that they can now provide heating and cooling in more extreme temperatures. Thus, a heat pump is a high-efficiency cooling and heating system that can be used year-round. Instead of cooling the air or creating heat, heat pumps work by transferring heat indoors in the winter and outdoors in the summer. A mini-split air conditioner usually costs $2,000 to $14,500, depending on the extensiveness of the system and how many units you install. This allows you to cool an entire home without needing to install new ductwork, which is an expensive and invasive process if your home doesn’t already have it. These air handlers are typically wall-mounted, and all connect to one or more condenser units located outdoors. Ductless Split SystemĪ split system can cool one room or multiple rooms depending on how many air handlers the system has. Swamp coolers are not as effective in humid climates, but they do well in dry, desert heat. ![]() A swamp cooler isn’t technically an air conditioner, as it uses evaporation and humidifies the air instead of removing moisture from it. Note that a portable air conditioning unit is different from a swamp cooler. You can expect to pay between $90 and $500 for this type of air conditioning unit. ![]() They may cool anywhere from 100 to 1,000 square feet and don’t require professional installation. These units are typically mounted on wheels and come with tubing that must be attached to an open window. Like window units, portable air conditioners only cool one room at a time, but they’re able to be moved from room to room and stored during the cooler months. Many can be installed without professional assistance. Window-mounted air conditioners can cost anywhere from $150 to $550 depending on their size and cooling capacity. A window unit is only powerful enough to cool one room, but it can be indispensable in a small space that gets a lot of natural light in the summer. All of the system’s components are housed in a single unit, which is meant to sit in an open window sill so it can vent heat outdoors. The smallest and least expensive type of air conditioner is a window unit.
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