Air conditioners are designed to cool. The purpose is to remove heat and humidity from interior spaces. Before you buy an air conditioner, there are a few things you need to remember. Air conditioners come in four types. There are window units and through-the-wall units, portable units, and central or whole home units. Window units are the most popular air conditioners, and they are the easiest to install and remove for DIYers. A window air conditioner vents to the outside and fits in a window opening. A through-the-wall unit is larger and heavier than a window unit. Through-the-wall units are set into walls rather than sitting in windows. Especially in older homes, electric circuitry must be reviewed, as these units usually require greater amperage and voltage. By design, portable air conditioners are ideal for windowless spaces and exhaust through temporary ducting so they can be moved from room to room. An entire house can be cooled by a central unit or a whole-house unit. In addition to being the most expensive option, they require expert installation and are usually combined with heating for a complete HVAC system. Older air conditioners are among the most expensive to operate. If you choose an incorrect size unit, you will not be able to meet your cooling demands, and a large unit will cost more to run and will not control humidity properly. Air conditioners are in high demand during the summer, which makes them more expensive since there is a shortage of them. If you buy during the off-season, manufacturers often offer rebates. Moreover, some municipalities and utilities offer rebates on units that meet minimum energy efficiency standards. An efficient whole-home HVAC system may qualify for a tax credit if you opt for central air.
hvac duct