Spring has arrived and that means we will soon we will be enjoying hot summer days. That sounds great unless you are trying to stay cool in a home that feels like a sauna each year. One way to ensure that your home is as comfortable as possible this summer is to install a new cooling system.
Four Main Types of Cooling Systems
While most of us are familiar with central air conditioners or common window models, there are actually more options available when it comes to home cooling systems. Your home may be better suited for a ductless air conditioner, air-sourced heat pump, or a ductless heat pump.
Derek Jackson, Sales and Marketing Manager for Wardlaw Heating & Cooling, explains how the four main types of home cooling systems work:
Central Air Conditioner
These common cooling systems circulate refrigerant between the inside unit, where heat is absorbed, and the outside unit where the heat is expelled. The cool air is circulated through your home by the furnace. The process also dehumidifies your home at the same time.
“Your desired temperature is maintained by your thermostat settings,” adds Derek. “The AC evaporator coils are installed near the furnace or air handler. Installing a split central air conditioner with a furnace is often the most cost-efficient solution to cool your home.”
Central air conditioner systems can be paired with a number of air quality products like HEPA filters, UV lights, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers.
Ductless Air Conditioner
For older homes without the necessary ductwork required for a modern central air conditioner system, a ductless system can be a great solution.
“A ductless split system may have multiple heads or indoor units that cool the air. These are typically mounted high on an wall but may also be in the ceiling. Each head cools the air where it’s installed, which will allow you to customize the temperature in different rooms,” explains Derek.
Air-Sourced Heat Pump
Air-sourced central heat pumps are common in many homes across North America.
According to Derek, air-sourced heat pumps use existing ductwork to circulate both hot and cool air. “They function just like central air conditioner by removing heat from indoors and releasing it outside. Heat pumps also work in reverse order, where they collect heat from the outside air and release it inside the house. This is why in our climate, it is important to install a ‘cold climate heat pump’ which can extract heat from extremely low temperatures,” he says.
Ductless Heat Pump
Derek explains that a ductless split heat pump, or mini split, can be installed in homes that do not have ductwork. “They again consist of two main components. The outdoor unit contains a condenser coil, compressor, and fan. The indoor head contains an evaporator coil and a fan. Just like a ductless AC, a ductless heat pump can have multiple heads but also offer heating functions, to heat or cool different areas of your home.”
Choosing the Best One for Your Home
Derek suggests asking yourself a few questions before deciding which system is right for you:
- What size and layout is the space you trying to cool?
- What HVAC system and equipment will your air conditioner be pairing with or supporting?
- And perhaps most importantly, what other HVAC goals do you have for your home?
He also recommends consulting with a professional to discuss all of the options. “We can help you to decide what will work best for your home, your comfort and health goals, and your budget. Our comfort advisors are experts in all options and systems.”
For more information about cooling systems, schedule a consultation with one of Wardlaw Heating & Cooling’s helpful comfort advisors. Call them at (705) 230-3148 or visit them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.