Central AC Alternatives For Your Home
A central air conditioner isn't always desired, or even a possibility. If you need help keeping your home cool but want to avoid a central AC unit, then you need to look outside the box for a solution. The following are a few alternatives to the traditional central AC cooling option that could work better for your home.
1. Swamp coolers
If you live in a moderate but dry climate, you may be worried that a central air conditioning system will simply make your home more dry and uncomfortable. Fortunately, there is an answer, and that answer is the swamp cooler. Swamp coolers are sometimes called evaporative coolers, but they all work in a similar fashion regardless of the name. There are cooling pads inside the unit that are soaked in water. As air passes through the pads, the water evaporates and causes the air to cool before it is sent to recirculate through the home. These units can cool a home by 15 degrees or more, making them a good solution in dry climates but not suitable for humid areas.
2. Window or portable units
Window units work well for cooling just one or two rooms in your home. Portable units are similar to window units, except they sit inside a room and only have an air intake hose that goes through the window. Choose a window unit if you do not have a way to install another option, for example, you rent or don't have existing ductwork. Window units won't typically cool the whole house and they are louder than other cooling options. You will also lose the use of one window in the room where it is installed.
3. Mini-Split Systems
For those that want the convenience and cooling power of central AC but don't have the ductwork for the install, the mini-split system is the answer. This system is "split" between an outdoor condenser unit and an indoor vent or blower. The condenser is slim and can be fitted to an exterior wall, while the vent sits nearly flush to the ceiling. They are connected by an air delivery hose that can be run through the ceiling. Each condenser can typically support two vents, so you can run two back-to-back rooms off a single unit. Additional condensers can be installed if you have more rooms to cool.
For more help, contact a cooling installation service in your area.