When we think of air conditioning in London, ON, we generally think of a system that cools down our houses during the sweltering summers. We’ve come a long way from using snow and ice to cool down, and while some of us may still reach for a fan, some form of mechanical air conditioning is now a must-have for our modern buildings. See Plumbhouse Plumbing, Heating and Electrical’s Cooling page. We sell, install, and maintain reliable, quality systems for your assurance.
See Plumbhouse Plumbing Heating and Electrical’s air quality systems. Please contact us at the number below. We are here to help you with any of your cooling, or heating concerns.
Why Do We Need A/C?
We cool our houses for more than just our personal comfort. An overheated house can be deadly for the most vulnerable among us but also contributes to conditions like dehydration, cramps, fainting, and heat exhaustion. Computers, TVs, and stereo systems also contribute to heating the indoors to create an uncomfortable environment for you and your family.What’s The Most Efficient Way to Air Condition a Home?
There are several ways to mitigate heat in the summer, but which is the most efficient means of air conditioning?
AC systems available to you:
- Central air
- Mini-split systems
- A/C units
- Natural cooling hacks
A/C Window and Portable Unit Benefits:
When you hear the term ‘air conditioner’, the traditional window unit provides refrigerated air to the room where it’s installed. In addition to the window unit, there are also portable ACs that can be set up wherever there is a convenient window to set up its ducts to access the outside air for venting purposes.
These units are of manageable size and can be installed almost anywhere. While a larger central air system may pose a problem for someone living in a condo, traditional air conditioning units are always available and convenient for multiple unit buildings like apartments.
A/C Window and Portable Unit Drawbacks:
A/C units, whether ducted, wall-mounted, or portable, are a fast fix for a hot room. The individual unit is not as efficient. Air conditioning units can’t cool more than one room, and require some sort of access to outside air: they require a convenient window for a frequently unwieldy unit or a permanent installation in the side of a wall. Aesthetically, they are not ideal, taking up window space and wall space.Natural Cooling Hack Benefits:
Cooling yourself down naturally by opening windows, keeping a cold drink on hand, or freezing your sheets at night is probably the most cost-effective means of cooling down. Switching ceiling light fixtures to ceiling fans is an effective way to stay cool. Many online tips are simple tricks that eliminate the need to invest in an AC system.This is also one of the more eco-friendly options, as there’s minimal additional strain on your electric bill; some tips even help you reduce it through household investments such as insulated windows and the removal of incandescent bulbs.
Choosing to invest in blackout curtains instead of an A/C unit is a cost-efficient and eco-friendly way to cool down, but there are drawbacks. For larger houses, the cost can be an issue.
Natural Cooling Hack Drawbacks:
This method of cooling off isn’t without its drawbacks, however. Before you decide to go without air conditioning, think about this:1) How cool do you need your home to be?
These hacks won’t cool down your house nearly as much as an HVAC system, which depending on your family’s needs, the size of your family or health limitations, may make it the less efficient option.
2) How much time can you invest in cooling off?
Keeping a bowl of ice in front of a fan, or choosing to cook outside requires forethought. If you’re a busy person, or if you have trouble following through with routines, you might find that these hacks are more of a burden than a benefit.
3) What features does your house already have?
Some hacks make certain assumptions about the make-up of your house. You may need a freezer big enough to contain your frozen bedsheets too. If you rent, installing ceiling fans may be an issue. Make sure that your home is capable of sustaining the best hacks before you decide to ditch air conditioning.
Central Air Conditioning Benefits:
For a larger house with an existing duct system, central air conditioning is the most efficient way of cooling down during the summer. Through the ductwork, central air is connected to every room. An outdoor unit cools the warm air in your home through its refrigeration-coolant internal system.Central air conditioning can also dehumidify your home which provides an even more comfortable environment for your home. Its method of constantly cycling air can also help with:
- reducing airborne allergens, and easing summer asthma
- filtering common lingering odours in the home
- reducing the risk of mould and mildew
Central Air Conditioning Drawbacks:
Ductwork can be an expensive installation. The common disadvantage with such an all-encompassing system is the expense of ductwork. If your home doesn’t have pre-existing ductwork, this is an additional expense beyond the price of installing the outdoor unit, and neither is cheap.You may have to open or close vents to certain rooms.
Central air conditioning systems have a high energy demand. ENERGY STAR’s list of most efficient 2021 HVAC systems and air source heat pumps cite high capacity central air conditioning units having an annual cost of up to $550 on average.
Decommission environmentally harmful air-conditioning systems. We should always consider upgrading our air conditioning systems to reflect the most environmentally green coolant system.
There are steps to reduce the outside noise of AC systems. Reduce the noise pollution from your central air unit; there are available noise-reducing materials to put around the perimeter of a noisy unit.
Mini Split Air Conditioning Benefits:
Mini-splits contain the benefits of both window-mounted units and central air systems. A mini-split air conditioning system is ductless, removing the need for expensive renovations or noisy ductwork. Lines attach multiple interior units to a single outdoor unit, allowing for temperature control in individual rooms and reduction of energy loss compared to a central air conditioning system.Their indoor units are also much smaller than wall-mounted air conditioning systems while keeping the same air cycling method that keeps the indoor air cleaner and free of allergens.
With a flexible budget and a mind for future savings, mini-split systems are efficient, energy-saving air conditioning system that combines the benefits and occasionally the drawbacks of other more widely known systems.
Mini Split Air Conditioning Drawbacks:
There are significant issues associated with the installation and function of mini-split systems.The installation of mini-split systems requires a skilled technician, as each interior unit must have a direct connection to the outdoor unit. Having to install each indoor unit strategically convenient to the stationary outdoor unit and the linework involved make it so that local technicians can’t always provide installation services.
Split air conditioning systems are often more expensive upfront, in addition to installation prices. While they do save money in the long run, the investment in them, to begin with, is more significant.
Mini-split air conditioning units have interior units that, while smaller than A/C units, still need to be attached to the face of your interior walls. While some companies strive to create interior units that are stylish, whether or not they fit with your decor is ultimately up to you.
Which Air Conditioning System is Best?
While no unit is undetectable in the home, a central air conditioning unit is the least visible as it runs through ducts. Central air is the most extensive option, offering clean and cycled air to every room of your home with little to nothing for you to keep track of besides what temperature you’d like it. When handled responsibly, it can be the most efficient way to cool down your home: however, consider issues of pricing, aesthetic, and electrical demands before deciding on central air conditioning.
To get the best value out of whatever system you use, research is required to decide which is the most cost-efficient, useful, and valuable system for your home and family.
Please call Plumbhouse Plumbing Heating and Electrical to help you with HVAC and Air conditioning units at (519) 453 4650
Tags: Air-conditioning optionsCategorised in: cooling