Air conditioning units come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and are best suited for certain applications based on their specific characteristics. Two of the most common types of air conditioning systems are single-room and central units, both of which possess a number of distinctive advantages and drawbacks. Understanding what both types of air conditioning systems have to offer and what situations they are best suited for can help you choose the one that best fits your home's cooling needs.

Single Room Air Conditioning Units

Like their name would suggest, single-room air conditioning units are designed to provide cool air to only a single room at a time. They are most often installed on the wall or within a window and do not require the same amount of ductwork that a central air conditioning unit does. The fact that these units are smaller and don't need an extensive installation process means that single-room air conditioning units are a great fit for those who are operating under a tight budget. Furthermore, the long-run costs of these types of units tends to be fairly low, as they do not need to have their ducts cleaned out, and they do not use a large amount of energy.

However, single room air conditioning units simply cannot provide an adequate level of comfort for larger homes and apartments, because they don't have enough power. Furthermore, single-room air conditioner units that are installed on a windowsill can cause cold air to seep into your home during the winter months, increasing your heating bills.

Central Air Conditioning Units

Central air conditioning units, on the other hand, are made up of two major components. The outdoor compressor vents air into the home where it is then cooled and circulated throughout the home through the use of ductwork. The main advantage of this type of air conditioning system is the fact that it can provide even, powerful cooling to the entirety of your home without fail, even during the hottest days of the summer.

However, central air conditioning units do have some drawbacks. Firstly, they use a great deal of power, which can ramp up your long-run costs. Furthermore, they can be extremely expensive to have installed within your home in the first place, especially if you do not already have ductwork installed within your home's ventilation system, as ductwork is labor intensive and complex to install.

For more information on your air conditioning options, contact a company like Economy Air Systems Inc.