8 Types of Air Conditioners

Choosing a Home Air Conditioner

If you’re shopping for an air conditioner, the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming.

An air conditioner is essentially a system of copper tubes filled with refrigerant. It also must have a condenser (where the refrigerant is compressed) and evaporator coils (where the refrigerant expands). When the condensed refrigerant expands in the evaporator coils, the temperature drops, like the nozzle on a can of compressed air. The unit pulls the heat in your home into that cold, then releases it outside.

The terms “air conditioner” or “AC” refer to anything that lowers the ambient air temperature. So we’ll also discuss a few devices that are commonly grouped with air conditioners, regardless of their underlying technology.

When selecting an air conditioner, the best choice for you will depend on several factors:

• Do you rent or own your home?
• How long do you expect to live there?
• How hot and humid does the local weather get?
• What’s the square footage of the space you need to cool?

Let’s look at several types of ACs and identify which is the best fit for you!