Pros and Cons: How To Choose the Best Air-Conditioning Unit for Your Home

An air-conditioning unit is an essential component of any household, especially if you live in a climate that can reach over 25 degrees Celsius or more.

If you live in a place that experiences these temperatures, you may be wondering what type of air-conditioning unit best suits your needs.

In truth, there’s a diverse range of A/C units you can pick from. Each of them has different energy consumption levels, cooling capacities, and price ranges. As such, it’s key to do some proper research beforehand when selecting your A/C unit.

Without further ado, let’s do a deep dive on each type of AC unit, and weigh the pros and cons of each.

6 Types of Air Conditioning Units and Pros and Cons of Each

Let’s take a look at these AC units in more detail.

1. Window Air Conditioning Unit

The window A/C unit is one of the most popular A/C units around. This is due to a combination of multiple factors, namely, its affordability and easy installation process.

In particular, a window A/C unit’s box-like design makes it a great choice for smaller rooms and apartment-type buildings. This is because the A/C design doesn’t need to undergo any major modifications to install the appliance into the home.

Common A/C problems with this type are also fairly easy to repair. You can check this troubleshooting guide by Alliance Climate Control for more details on common A/C problems.

Opting for this type of A/C is ideal for tinier rooms due to its compact design. A larger room may need a bigger A/C unit for greater cooling potential. That said, if you need a practical and budget-friendly option for bedrooms and smaller, confined spaces, this A/C type is a great start.

There’s another minor drawback of this AC type. If you’re sensitive to sounds, this A/C unit is louder than other types. However, if you position it strategically away from your lounging or sleeping area, this noise can easily be drowned out.

Pros

• Affordable
• Easy to find
• Easy to install
• Doesn’t require space

Cons

• Noisy
• Limited cooling for bigger areas
• Takes up window space
• May look unsightly

2. Split Air Conditioning Unit

Another popular A/C unit type is the just-as-popular split A/C. This A/C type is powerful and efficient, capable of cooling a room with a larger room size.

Unlike a window A/C unit, the split-type A/C system consists of two components: an indoor unit that cools the room and an outdoor unit that draws hot air out.

This setup takes more time to install and is more expensive than windowed AC units, but it helps create a quieter and more pleasant environment since the noisy parts of the A/C unit are situated outside.

Split A/C units offer enhanced comfort and cooling potential. They’re also more energy-efficient thanks to their ability to cool a space through a zone cooling method. This means that, over time, a split A/C could be cheaper over the long run than a windowed AC.

Furthermore, there are multiple types of split A/C you can select. One of them is a floor-mounted A/C, which distinguishes itself by having an A/C unit that’s mounted on the floor. There’s also the wall-mounted variant, perfect for rooms with limited wall space. Mini ductless split types also exist, boasting a more streamlined and ductless design.

Pros:

• Quiet operation
• Energy efficient
• Powerful cooling
• Versatile types

Cons:

• Expensive to set up
• Need someone to install

3. Portable AC Unit

If you don’t want to go through the installation process, a portable AC unit may be right up your alley. This A/C type is freestanding and can move from place to place, unlike the previous two. This means it’s not limited to a single room.

That said, this A/C unit comes with an exhaust hose to remove hot air. As such, it needs outdoor access. But if you have that, this option is great for those who don’t want to go through the hoops of modifying their living environment. In particular, this AC type is great for short-term renters.

While useful, it suffers from a lower cooling power than both split and window A/C units. It’s also not the most efficient and can get noisy. You may have to regularly drain the condensation pipe too. But if your goal is to have a portable A/C type to use for the short term, this A/C can do a phenomenal job.

Pros:

• Portable
• Affordable
• Good for short-term rentals
• No need to renovate a room

Cons:

• Decreased cooling potential
• Noisy
• Requires constant maintenance

4. Central AC Unit

If you own a building or a large house, a central A/C unit may be worth considering. This AC type cools multiple rooms simultaneously through a centralized cooling unit connected through a network of ducts.

This A/C type cools all rooms connected by duct openings at once, making it ideal if you want to maintain a steady temperature throughout the building. This A/C unit type is also fairly discrete—making it a good option if you have limited space to install appliances in walls and rooms.

That said, these central units cost significantly more than other A/C types.  This includes the running electricity costs, as you generally can’t switch it on or off with more basic units. It may also require more extensive repairs and maintenance work conducted by professionals for a smooth operation.

Pros:

• Whole-home cooling
• Consistent temperature control
• Discreet build

Cons:

• High installation costs
• Requires regular maintenance
• High price point

5. Hybrid Air Conditioner

Does your house experience shifting climate conditions year-round? If so, a dual-fuel system that utilizes both air cooling and heating technology may be a good option.

Hybrid A/Cs can either heat or cool your home depending on the weather outside and the pre-decided ideal temperature, making it a great way to stay comfortable regardless of the outside weather conditions.

This unit is fairly energy-efficient, as it adapts to the temperature outdoors. However, it also comes at a higher price point because it needs both a heat pump and traditional A/C components in one machine.

Pros

• Heats or cools a house depending on the need
• Energy efficient
• Potential for long-term savings

Cons

• High upfront installation costs
• May require expert maintenance when needed

6. Smart A/C Units

Some A/C units also have programmable settings that allow them to be connected to WiFi and smartphone apps. This allows users to control their A/C unit remotely, using nothing more than their apps or voice-activating devices to execute certain actions on their appliance.

For instance, these smart A/C units can be programmed to turn on and off automatically at certain times of day. They can also be turned on or off even if you’re not in the same room as long as you execute a certain function in the app.

These A/C units can be a box, split, or hybrid types—giving homeowners a world of options before them. Naturally, they’ll come at a higher price point and need a constant internet connection, but if you’re willing to offer that, then this A/C type can be fantastic for you.

Pros:

• Remote control functionality
• Energy efficiency
• Has analytics to show energy usage

Cons:

• High cost
• Relies on an internet connection

What’s The Best A/C Unit?

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to picking your ideal air conditioning unit. This will entirely depend on your budget, cooling needs, and the layout of your home.

If you want to keep things simple in your house, a window A/C unit will do just fine—needing nothing more than a quick installation and a box opening to cool a small-to-moderate-sized room. A portable A/C unit may also be an option if you don’t plan on staying long in the area.

A more upscale option would be a split A/C system, offering a quieter and more energy-efficient cooling experience at a higher cost.  A notch above in terms of pricing and installation difficulty is a central A/C unit, which is ideal for cooling down entire buildings and homes in one go.

If you want a modern option, smart A/Cs are a great pick, and they come in fairly versatile packages. Hybrid A/Cs are good for homes that experience shifting weather conditions and want a central unit for their heating and cooling needs.

We hope we’ve detailed the strengths and weaknesses of each AC type thoroughly to help you in your journey to picking your favorite one. All the best in choosing one!