When it comes to choosing an air conditioner for your new Austin home, picking one may seem very confusing for a new homeowner. There are many factors that are considered when choosing between a room air conditioner that installs in an empty window and a central air conditioner that needs ductwork. Which one to choose? Well, here are some facts to help you choose the right air conditioner for your home.

Benefits of Central Air Conditioning

There are some good benefits to owning a central air conditioning system. One very big benefit comes from the savings you get on your utility bills by being able to operate your system with a programmable thermostat. You can determine the temperature your home will be while you are there and when you’re away.

Even though a central air conditioner is larger and runs continuously it still uses less energy than older models of air conditioners. New energy-saving models use 30 to 50% less energy than older models and energy-saving practices help you save a considerable amount of money on your cooling bills. If you raise the temperature at night and use a fan you will reduce your energy usage and lower your cooling costs as well. Here are a few benefits of a central air conditioner.

• Operates on designated settings
• Uses less energy than room air conditioners
• Less noise
• Does not obstruct the view of windows
• Takes up little space

Disadvantages of Room Units:

The problems associated with room air conditioners are that you cannot set to desired temperatures, many have just three settings “high, low and off.”

Condensation leaks are also common with window units as well as frequent icing over of the evaporative coils after running for a long time.

Another drawback is that it really only cools a small area at a time. It would be enough to cool a small studio or one-bedroom apartment, but anything larger would benefit more from a central air conditioner. It would just be a waste of money and energy to try and cool the whole house with a room air conditioner.

Choosing an Air Conditioner

So now that you have a little information on both systems, it should be a little easier to decide which one is right for you. Remember that size is important; if you have a large house you will need a larger cooling system to accommodate it. If you have a small basement and not enough space for ductwork don’t worry, a ductless split system will work just fine in your situation. The government also offers incentives for homeowners to upgrade to energy-efficient systems by giving rebates to qualifying Energy Star appliances that help to defray some of the cost.

Contact your AC contractor in Austin to discuss installing central air conditioning in your new home. The NATE-certified technicians at ABA Heating and Cooling can evaluate your home and its cooling needs and make a recommendation on a new system that fits your needs as well as your budget.