The heat and humidity of summer is right around the corner, and now is the ideal time to ensure your comfort by shopping for a new A/C. Here’s some helpful information about the four basic air conditioner types to get you started:
Split System
These are “split” into two components. Indoors, a unit with an evaporator coil absorbs heat and moisture. A second unit containing a condenser coil is located outside where the captured heat is released. It also houses a compressor to pump refrigerant between the two. This system is an economical choice if you have a forced-air furnace, because it can share the existing ductwork.
Heat Pump
A heat pump works like an A/C during the cooling season, but it switches operation when heating season rolls around. An air-sourced heat pump is the most common type installed, but it can’t heat a home when temperatures drop below a certain point, so built-in electric heating elements or a supplemental gas furnace is a necessity. Ground-source heat pumps cost more upfront, but they pull warmth from the earth, so they can operate more effectively in colder climates.
Packaged Unit
This one unit houses a compressor, condenser and evaporator. It’s located outside a home, either on the roof or adjacent to an exterior wall. Ducting is run from the unit into the home’s interior to pull out hot, humid air and return cool, conditioned air. Electric heating coils or a gas furnace can be installed inside the outdoor unit too, eliminating the need for an additional heat source inside a home.
Ductless Mini-Split
A mini-split’s compressor and condenser unit is located outdoors, and refrigerant tubing joins it to one or more indoor air handlers. There’s no ductwork needed for air distribution, because each air handler has its own blower. Mini-splits cost more than traditional split systems, but since there’s no energy lost in ducting runs, they’re less costly to operate.
If you’re shopping for a new A/C and need expert advice and service, contact us at Aladdin Heating & Cooling. We’ve served Bloomfield Township, Utica, Rochester and the surrounding areas since 1945.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about new A/Cs and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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