If it’s time to replace your home’s air conditioning system, you’ll have a tough decision to make. What sort of cooling system should you choose? There are four main types of A/C systems to pick from, and which one is right for your home will depend on what you’re looking for.
Split-System A/C
This is the most common type of central air conditioning system. It has an outside unit that includes the condensing coil and compressor, which is connected by a conduit line to an indoor air handler that includes the evaporator coil, and blower motor and fan. The inside unit often comprises of an evaporator coil connected to a furnace blower, rather than the dedicated air handler often found in Southern areas where furnaces aren’t used. In both cases, the blower pushes cooled air through ductwork to every part of the home.
Heat Pump
An air-source heat pump works similarly to a split-system A/C when in cooling mode, and the main difference is that the heat pump also provides heat in the winter. In our Northeast Ohio climate, an air-source heat pump will struggle to provide comfortable heating on the coldest winter days, though these systems typically are outfitted with emergency heating, either with an electric resistance heating coil or a gas furnace.
Ductless Mini-Split System
These work much like a standard split system, just without the ductwork. The outdoor condenser/compressor is connected by a conduit line to air handling units inside the house (one or more) that provide independently controlled cooling (and heating, for mini split heat pumps) to whatever room or area where the air handler is located. They save on the energy losses common with ducted systems.
Packaged Central Air Conditioners
These systems combine the compressor, condenser and the evaporator into one unit that either sits on a slab next to the home or on the roof. With the addition of heating coils, these units can replace the need for a separate furnace system.
For more information on types of A/C systems that are available, and to find out which one best fits your Lorain-area home, please contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air conditioning and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area