Types of Air Conditioners

Shopping for a new air conditioner means evaluating everything from cooling capacity to room size. Whether you're considering a portable or window AC, the chart above can help you narrow down the choices that are best for you.

Below are some more things to consider while you're shopping:

• Determine the square footage of your home to get the right size air conditioner.
• Decide what features mean the most to you, such as programmable thermostats or air purifiers.
• Do you live in a hot and humid area? If so, you may want to invest in a larger unit with a higher cooling capacity.
• Budget wisely. A higher quality air conditioner may require more of an upfront investment. Remember to factor in professional installation as well.
• Air conditioners can consume a lot of energy. It's important to choose an energy-efficient model.

Air conditioners range from 1 to 5 ton sizes. The first thing to do is make sure the unit you want can fit and work well in the space you have.

• Calculate the amount of square footage you need to cool. Multiply, in feet, the room length by the room width.
• Measure the height and width of where the appliance will be installed.

Compare your measurements to the standard dimensions of popular air conditioners:

• Window-mounted air conditioning units: 24 x 16 x 12 inches
• Portable air conditioners: 29 x 24 x 14 inches
• Wall air conditioning units: 40 x 20 x 22 inches
• Central air conditioning units: 40 x 30 x 12 inches

The cooling capacity and efficiency of an air conditioning or heating unit is measured in BTUs. The higher the BTUs, the quicker the unit can cool a room. BTU ratings generally range from 5,000 BTUs to more than 20,000. In general, 20 BTUs are needed per square foot of living space. When choosing the right BTU rating for your space, consider multiple factors like ceiling height, room insulation, sun exposure and your area’s climate.

For example:

• For rooms with excessive sunlight, use an additional 10 percent more BTUs
• For units installed in kitchens, use an additional 4,000 BTUs
• For general rooms, add 600 BTUs per person

Portable air conditioners are best used to bring a cooling boost of air to a room. They provide a smart solution for lowering the temperature in a single space, especially during peak summer heat months. Use them in places like a detached garage or stuffy room. In a pinch, they can even provide a short, temporary solution for a broken HVAC.

• Easy to install and uninstall
• Can be moved from one room to another as needed
• Saves energy costs by supplementing your central air system
• Comes with multiple fan speeds and settings
• Exhaust system or reservoir to handle moisture

Tip: Portable air conditioners may seem similar to window ACs. But they aren't designed to be a primary and permanent cooling solution. It's best not to depend on them to keep a room or space consistently cool.

Central air conditioners are the most popular option to cool an entire house.

• Ideal for larger homes
• Higher energy efficiency ratings and lower energy bills
• Requires a higher upfront investment
• Professional installation
• Runs quiet

Window air conditioner units are an efficient way to cool a room instead of a whole house.

• Budget and space-friendly option
• Easy to install
• Can be installed in either a single- or double-hung window
• Comes with accordion panels for a secure fit
• Great for consistently cooling single rooms or small spaces
• Can be used with or without a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system

Built-in wall air conditioners are installed directly into walls. These units are often found in apartments, garages and older homes.

• Wall installation keeps cool air in and hot air out
• Uses less energy compared to other types of air conditioners
• Some models provide both cold and hot air
• Good alternative to a central heating and air system
• Can require a higher upfront investment
• May need professional installation

A ductless mini-split air conditioner works without having to install ducts.

• Sleek, compact design
• Unit can be used anywhere
• Uses less energy than a traditional wall unit
• Multi-stage air filtration, improved home air quality
• Can be controlled from a smart device

Floor mounted air conditioners are good for multi-level or large open spaces. They are typically installed on the ground level of your home.

• Can be installed through walls or windows
• Some models have high energy efficiency ratings
• Can be noisy
• Comes in various sizes and cooling capacities
• Able to cool larger areas cost effectively
• Popular choice for homes with high ceilings

Compact and versatile, wall air conditioners can cool or heat a room without using a lot of floor space.

• Mounted flush with the interior wall surface
• Compact, modern appearance
• Ideal for smaller rooms or spaces with limited floor space
• Easily installed by a professional or experienced DIYer
• Good for cooling specific rooms or areas as needed
• More budget-friendly than central units

Smart air conditioners are designed to automatically monitor and adjust cooling based on your home's temperature and humidity levels.

• Can detect when someone is in the room and adjust cooling
• More energy-efficient way to maintain comfort
• Can significantly lower energy bills
• Control your AC unit from your smartphone
• Set schedules to turn the air conditioner off automatically.

Smart air conditioners may also use geofencing to automatically turn off units. Geofencing, a location-based service, creates a virtual, customizable boundary around a physical location. It may use GPS, RFID, Wi-Fi or cellular data to work.

A hybrid or dual fuel air conditioner combines an electric unit with a gas furnace. This type of smart air conditioner can switch between two energy sources for cost savings.

• Perfect for year-round use
• Uses both electricity and gas
• Provides energy savings
• Efficiently handles extreme weather conditions
• Smart thermostats and other remote features

An evaporative cooler works by pulling in hot air and passing it through wet cooling pads. It is also known as a swamp cooler. This device:

• Uses water and a small amount of electricity
• Adds moisture to the air, making it good for dry climates
• Can be used both indoors and outdoors
• Environmentally friendly
• Budget friendly
• Low maintenance

Compared to other options, variable speed air conditioners automatically adjust their speed to meet demand. They operate at lower speeds when cooling demand is low.

• Provides better energy efficiency
• Maintains a more consistent comfort level
• Better humidity control
• Higher upfront investment
• Runs quiet, ideal for bedrooms
• Reduces the risk of mold and mildew growth

Running an air conditioning system is one of the largest energy uses in a home. Choosing an energy-efficient air conditioning system can lower your utility bill. All types of air conditioners are labeled with their Energy Efficiency Rating (EER). These ratings range from 8 to 11.5. Units with higher EERs offer lower greenhouse emissions and bills. Consider getting an air conditioner ENERGY STAR certification. And be sure to check the unit's yellow label for more information.

A rooftop air conditioner provides cooling for an entire home. Unlike other air conditioners, they free up space in both indoor and outdoor areas.

• Great for apartments or small houses
• Can’t be easily seen
• Runs quietly
• More energy efficient than window units
• Often come with programmable thermostats