What Types of Air Conditioners Are There?

We're almost halfway through the summer, and with it come the temperatures of 90°F to 100°F or even more in some parts of the country.  From summer to summer temperatures vary, and due to climate change, everyone is experiencing temperatures that can be difficult to deal with, and therefore each summer requires air conditioners to work more than usual.

The air conditioner not only keeps your home cool, it can also heat, and very efficiently. For this reason, it is a multi-practical appliance, and there should be careful consideration with its purchase. In this article, you can find out more about the types of air conditioners, and their specifics, and we will try to answer some of the most important questions related to buying air conditioners.

Window air conditioners are similar to portable air conditioners as they also come as an all-in-one box. Unlike split systems, they suck the fresh air from outside into the room. They are not portable, but they can definitely be relocated more easily than split systems. These air conditioners are installed in the window and come already filled with gas. They may be noisy while operating. If you have experience with house maintenance, you can install them yourself, unlike split systems where it’s recommended to have them professionally installed. 

Portable air conditioners come with casters, so you can move them from room to room. Just like the window units,  everything is in one unit. They have a hose that expels warm air which has to ventilate. One option for ventilation is through the window. However, a better option would be through the chimney (if a household has one). They are not exactly the best in energy efficiency, nor that quiet while working though. This is an appliance used mostly if you are in a situation where you cannot install a classic window, wall, or split system.

Wall air conditioners are installed permanently on a building’s exterior wall. These are designed to span from the inside wall surface to the outside. Once they are properly installed, they never need to be removed, except for servicing or replacement. Like all modern air conditioners, wall units work by blowing air over coils containing coolant gas, while expelling warm air outside. They are mostly rectangular, planned to fit into a hole of the same size in an exterior wall. The fit of the sleeve and the hole around the unit provides an airtight seal, maximizing cooling efficiency.

Split system air conditioners always operate at full power. When they reach the temperature, they stop, then turn on again when the sensor says it should. Inverter split systems are smarter, as they can recognize when they're close to the set temperature, and therefore reduce the work intensity. This means it works only as much as it needs to.  This not only provides lower costs, but also a more stable temperature.  Standard models produce much higher amplitudes than inverter models, and the air feels nicer and more pleasant with them. Plus, inverter air conditioners are less noisy. Another very important feature is that they can work at much lower outside temperatures than standard ones  They are also able to reach the set temperature faster and last longer. Both of these are split systems - an appliance with an indoor and an outdoor unit.  Also, both types circulate indoor air, which takes away or adds heat.

Why is a split system air conditioner a great and economical option for heating smaller spaces? Because it's actually a heat pump, not a heater. It does consume electricity during the process, but what makes the split system stand out in energy efficiency is the heat that a system blows inside the indoor space. However, air conditioners cannot heat when the temperature drops below a certain limit. The reason for this is partly due to the physical limitations and freezing of the external unit, partly because their efficiency definitely decreases with lower outside temperatures. The outside air has heat to absorb even at very low temperatures. However, the effectiveness of this principle decreases with temperature. However, for climate conditions in the central US, this is not an issue. So if the temperature is above 32°F, an air conditioner can be a reliable source of heat for smaller spaces.

Depending on the model, you may come across different options in addition to the basic cooling and heating. Timers, certain specific filters, a sleep mode where the air conditioner is adjusted for a pleasant sleep, an ionizer, or, for example, a feature named differently by the manufacturer and which instructs the appliance to target the sensor in the remote control device, and to provide the desired temperature exactly around it. These are just some of the supporting features, and can include built-in WiFi and a possibility to be controlled from a smart device. Cooling and heating remain the focal points, but additional options can definitely increase the simplicity of their use. Just imagine yourself driving back from work and at a traffic light near home, where you turn on the air conditioner via your smartphone.  Once you’re home, you are greeted not by a tropical atmosphere but by a pleasant freshness.

We’ve already established that the air conditioner does not actually produce cold air, but manipulates heat. Coolant gas is constantly circulating between the indoor and outdoor units. Once inside, it is liquid.  Then it comes to the part called the evaporator - in there, it collects warm air from the room and turns it into gas. After it becomes a gas, it goes to the outdoor unit.  First, it travels into the compressor, which increases the pressure and thus the temperature.  Then it goes to the condenser where the incoming high-pressure gas is cooled and turned into a liquid, releasing the accumulated heat through the outdoor unit (in the case of a wall, window, or portable air conditioners, the whole process takes place in a single unit). The liquid comes back into the indoor unit through a special valve that reduces the pressure and repeats the cycle as long as necessary. When it comes to the heating mode, everything works the same - only in reverse. The evaporator becomes the condenser and vice versa.

The information provided above will help you when purchasing a new air conditioner. At Town Appliance we offer a vast selection of air conditioners from the world's most famous brands at very affordable prices with numerous options on extended warranty, free delivery, and installation. If you need any assistance or need additional information, our highly professional team from customer service will be happy to help you.