What is the Difference Between a Window Unit and a Central Air Conditioner in New Albany, Ohio?

Central and window air conditioners work similarly to keep cool homes. However, the two systems have some important differences homeowners need to understand to ensure they choose the right one for their needs. Wise Heating and Cooling has decades of experience in assisting customers find the right unit for the size of their home. Important factors to consider before making the decision are worth your time to speak to one of our professionals in the HVAC industry.

Central Air Conditioners

Central air conditioners are designed to integrate into the HVAC system to cool an entire home consistently and efficiently. A central AC system includes two major components: the indoor evaporator coil, which is located within the air handler or attached to the furnace and absorbs heat from the home’s air, and the outdoor condenser unit, which is located outside and expels the heat absorbed from the indoor air to the outside of the home.

How Central Air Conditioners Work

The cooling process begins inside the home. Warm air moves into the system through return ducts and passes over the evaporator coils, which contain refrigerant. The refrigerant absorbs the heat in the air, which cools the air before it is circulated throughout the home again. The refrigerant passes out to the condenser unit to release the absorbed heat into the outside air. When the refrigerant is cooled again, it moves back indoors to start the cycle anew.

Installation: What to Expect

Central AC can keep an entire home cool and comfortable, but it must be professionally installed by a central air installation contractor. Professional air conditioning technicians can ensure there is a dedicated electrical outlet, the proper network of ductwork to move conditioned air throughout the home, and all necessary modifications so that the air conditioner can do its job properly and efficiently.

Window Units

Window air conditioners are self-contained individual air conditioning units designed to fit in windows and cool individual rooms or spaces. Unlike central air conditioners, window units do not have complex installation processes or require extensive ductwork. Instead, they come ready to use once installed in a window. Simply plug them in, set the temperature, and they are ready to use.

Design and Functionality

Window units feature evaporators, condensers, and a double-shaft motor allowing for targeted cooling. The evaporator is on the inside part of the unit, and as the air moves over the coil, the refrigerant absorbs the heat in the air. This cools the air and lowers the room’s temperature. The absorbed heat is expelled outside via the condenser on the exterior of the unit. The double-shaft motor runs two fans: one near the condenser and the other near the evaporator.

Benefits of Window Units

Window units are easy to install, which means that the average homeowner will not need professional help to get one up and running. Simply open the window, place the AC unit on the sill, close the window, and use the provided brackets and panels to secure and stabilize the unit
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Along with their simplicity, window units are also portable. Even after installation, they can be removed and installed in a different window, which means they can be good choices for renters and those who move frequently. However, they can also be large and heavy, so they’re not as portable as some other cooling options.

Central AC vs. Window Unit: Pros and Cons

Central ACs offer whole-home cooling and can promote improved air quality. They’re also quieter to operate, can boost home value, and may be more energy efficient. However, they also have higher upfront costs, require more space to install, and must be professionally installed.

Window units are easy to install, are less expensive upfront, and are easy for homeowners to install. However, they only cool smaller areas, and they can be noisier. They also require a full window, which means they’ll block natural lighting and the view.

Central air conditioning is a great choice for a large home with multiple rooms, those who need consistent cooling, a home with existing ductwork, or concerns about aesthetics or noise. For those with smaller spaces, rental, or targeted cooling needs or who don’t have existing ductwork, a window unit might be the right choice.

Regardless of the chosen system, proper maintenance will go a long way toward protecting the investment. Both central AC and window units benefit from regular checkups. A professional maintenance team like Wise Heating and Cooling in Franklin County & New Albany, Ohio can provide a visit to include a look at the filter and refrigerant levels. For central air, the maintenance tech also needs to check out the ducts, electrical connections, coils, and condensate lines.

Window units need monthly filter cleaning and annual maintenance that includes cleaning the evaporator and condenser coils. Proper winter storage is critical to protect it from harsh Albany, Ohio winters.