8 Types of AC Systems

When it comes to achieving true home comfort, choosing the right air conditioner is arguably the most important decision you’ll have to make. Despite the fact that all air conditioners serve the same basic function, there is no one-size-fits-all fix that will work best for every scenario. There are several different types of AC systems that all use slightly different means to achieve their cooling goals. To determine what type of system best suits your specific comfort needs, you need to know the basic pros and cons of each. Conveniently for you, we’ve put together a comprehensive list to help you get started.

Without further ado, Maichle’s HVAC is proud to present our guide to the 8 types of air conditioning systems!

1. Central AC Systems

Dated yet dependable in their design, central air conditioning systems have been the most common form of residential AC system for a long time.  Central AC uses both an indoor and outdoor unit to send air throughout your home via a network of air ducts and vents (or registers) in your floors, walls and/or ceilings.  These systems create a continuous cycle of heat and humidity being removed from your home and replaced with a steady flow of crisp, cool air.  

Pros

Popularity – The fact that central AC is so common in American households means that the overwhelming majority of single family homes were designed with central AC use in mind and are already equipped with the necessary ductwork. 

Power – The amount of cooling and heating power produced by a central AC system is enough to cool whole homes and buildings. This makes them a sensible choice for large homes with lots of rooms, as a single system can provide air for the entire home with the right ductwork. 

Efficiency – Larger homes inevitably generate higher utility costs, so finding an efficient system is key. Cooling or heating your home with a single central AC system is often far more efficient and cost effective than many alternatives, such as using multiple smaller systems. While older systems are less efficient, newer models are able to operate with far less power.  Inconspicuous – As long as you have the space to accommodate them, central AC systems are relatively unobtrusive and quiet. The outdoor unit is the loudest part of any system, and while indoor units can make some noise, the proper strategic placement of both components can reduce their noise levels to the point of inaudibility. So long as the ductwork is uncompromised, most central AC systems produce little more than a gentle hum.

Cons

Size & Space – Between the outdoor unit, indoor unit and ductwork, central AC systems take up a lot of space regardless of how seamlessly they’re incorporated into a building’s architecture. Additionally, for limited spaces like single rooms, apartments & small homes, the overall output of a central AC system is way more than you would ever need. 

Costs – Despite their efficiency and relatively low operating costs, there are still a lot of costs associated with central AC systems. For one, the systems themselves aren’t cheap, and neither is installation – especially if you’re replacing an entire system or installing one for the first time where there is no pre-existing ductwork. These days, getting a new system installed can cost you anywhere from a few thousand dollars to upwards of $10,000 on the high end. 

Maintenance – Central AC systems require regular maintenance in order to function properly from season to season. This means performing a series of routine tasks for basic upkeep and scheduling bi-annual checkups with HVAC professionals. 

Ductwork – Having to deal with air ducts can be a major drawback when it comes to central AC systems. Ducts require extra maintenance in the form of professional cleanings, and any lack thereof can cause substantially reduce a system’s overall efficiency & output. Additionally, the excess equipment creates a higher potential for costly damages and further professional intervention. 

2. Ductless Mini-Split Systems

While they don’t have nearly as long of a track record as traditional ducted systems, ductless mini-split systems are becoming more and more popular with new homeowners every year. As the name indicates, ductless mini-split systems don’t use air ducts.  Instead, they consist of a single outside unit that uses a thin conduit to transfer air back and forth to as many as four wall-mounted indoor units, which then pump the conditioned air directly into the space or zone they are responsible for.   

Pros

Flexible – Mini-split systems allow you to place up to four different indoor units wherever you want in separate zones, all of which can be operated and controlled independently of one another. This can help you conserve energy and save money by cutting back on wasted air in unoccupied spaces. It can also boost your home’s overall comfort and save you headaches by cutting back on arguments over the thermostat.

Ductless – By avoiding the use of air ducts, ductless mini-split systems also help you avoid the extra maintenance and potential problems that come with them. Additionally, sidestepping ductwork in the air transfer process saves you tons of air and energy that would otherwise be wasted. 

Easy to Use – While the reduced maintenance when compared to central systems definitely helps, mini-split systems are also very easy to operate in their own right. Most even come with remote control capabilities for added convenience. 

Cons

Range – Minisplit-systems have a limited range, which can impact they’re functionality significantly between closed doors. Mini-splits are often perfect for the types of limited spaces that are too small to justify their own centralized system, such as apartments, condos, townhouses, ranchers, etc., given their 

Aesthetic – While they take up far less space overall by avoiding ductwork, the wall mounted (or ceiling mounted) design of indoor mini-split units are undoubtedly more noticeable than the air vents that ductwork would have led to. Precise, purposeful placement is crucial to an indoor unit’s ability to function properly, so you can’t simply tuck them away wherever they’re least visible.

Upfront Costs – While not as pricey as ducted central systems, ductless mini-split systems still come with relatively substantial price tags (around $1,500-$3,000 on average) and will, in most cases, require professional installation for the best possible results.

3. Hybrid/Dual Fuel AC Systems

Hybrid AC systems, also sometimes referred to as dual fuel systems, are almost identical to traditional central AC systems. Technically ducted and centralized just like a central AC system, the main thing that sets hybrid systems apart on paper is their use of a heat pump as the condenser unit (outdoor unit) and a furnace instead of an air handler (indoor unit). During summer in hot weather use, however, these components function exactly the same regardless of the system type. The big difference in function only occurs during cold weather use when this type of system alternates between using the electric powered heat pump and a gas powered furnace to save energy when heating a home, hence the hybrid/dual fuel designation.  

Pros

Winter Use – As mentioned, homeowners really see the benefits of a hybrid system during the cooler winter months. During this time, hybrid systems alternate between gas and electric fuel sources in order to save energy, boost efficiency and reduce costs. 

Power – Similar to central AC systems, the amount of cooling and heating power produced by a hybrid AC system is enough to cool whole homes and buildings. This makes them a sensible choice for large homes with lots of rooms. 

Efficiency – Hybrid systems are designed for efficiency, especially during cold months. Cooling or heating your home with a single hybrid system is often far more efficient and cost effective than most alternatives, such as multiple smaller systems. 

Inconspicuous – As long as you have the space to accommodate them, central AC systems are relatively unobtrusive and quiet. The proper strategic placement of your indoor and outdoor components can reduce the noise level of your hybrid system throughout most of your home to the point of inaudibility. So long as the ductwork is uncompromised, most hybrid systems produce little more than a gentle hum. 

Cons

Size & Space – Between the outdoor unit, indoor unit and ductwork, central AC systems take up a lot of space regardless of how seamlessly they’re incorporated into a building’s architecture. Additionally, for limited spaces like single rooms, apartments & small homes, the overall output of a central AC system is way more than you would ever need. 

Costs – Despite their higher efficiency and relatively low operating costs, hybrid systems cost around the same as normal central systems (if not slightly more) in terms of up front costs, though hybrid systems do shave off some long term costs by boosting efficiency during cold months.  

Maintenance – Just like central AC systems, hybrid systems require regular maintenance in order to function properly. This means performing a series of routine tasks for basic upkeep and scheduling bi-annual checkups with HVAC professionals. 

Ductwork – Hybrid systems are ducted just like central AC systems, which means they experience all of the same issues, from extra maintenance and professional cleanings to reduced efficiency & output. 

4. Window Unit AC Systems

Unlike centralized systems and mini-split systems, window unit air conditioning systems are standalone machines that function independently without the support of a connecting outdoor compressor unit. Designed to fit into the frame of an open window and situated so as to be half inside and half outside, these units are able to combine the basic functions of much larger systems into one compact piece of equipment.  

Pros

Cost – One of the biggest selling points for window unit AC systems is the relatively miniscule selling price when compared to centralized and ductless mini-split systems. These days, you can get a decent window unit for around $100-$400, depending on the model.

Flexibility – The compact size and all-in-one functionality of window units make them extremely adaptable for a variety of scenarios. A staple in dorms across America, they’re great for single rooms and small apartments, especially in older buildings that don’t have central AC.  

Low Maintenance – There is very little maintenance involved with window units, aside from keeping it clean and changing any filters it has on a regular basis. In most circumstances you should be able to install a window unit on your own without having to hire a professional, which saves you even more money in upfront costs. (Note: Be careful when installing – they’re built to fit into windows, not fall out of them…) 

Cons

Limited Range – Materials and manufacturing aside, the reality is that the main reason window units cost so much less than central systems and mini-splits is because they’re capable of so much less. Window units have a relatively small cooling capacity and normally aren’t able to affect much beyond the room in which they’re located. 

Placement – Since proper installation requires it to be situated both inside and outside of a window, your placement options within any given room will always be equivalent to the number of windows the room has. While some window units have sleeker designs than others, sacrificing a large chuck of what may be your only natural light source to hang a big hunk of metal out your window is never ideal. 

Noise – The self-contained condenser function of a window unit system can produce a fair amount of noise. Depending on the model and level of use, this noise can range anywhere from a gentle hum to an obnoxious rumble.

5. Portable AC Systems

Portable AC systems are similar to window unit systems in that they feature a single standalone unit that feeds in and out of your room or house via your window. The main difference with portable systems is that only a small attached air hose actually feeds through the window, while the unit itself sits inside the room you need conditioned. Many regard portable systems as the future of HVAC, but the technology still has a lot of ground to cover before it can feasibly replace larger systems.  

Pros

Portability – While portable AC systems need to be near windows (typically within 10 feet), they don’t need to be fixed within them like window units. This gives you more flexibility in terms of where you can place them and how far they can reach. Additionally, the portability of these units allows you to easily move them from one place to another within a room, as well as easily moving the entire system from room to room and even house to house. 

Price – While they are slightly more expensive than your average window unit, portable AC systems are still vastly less expensive than larger split systems with separate outdoor condensers. 

Low Maintenance – Similar to window units, there is very little maintenance involved with portable AC units aside from keeping it clean and changing the filters. In almost all cases, these systems can be installed without having to hire a professional.

Cons

Limited Range – Similar to window units, the limited power of portable AC systems means they have a relatively small cooling capacity and normally aren’t able to affect much beyond the room in which they’re located. 

Space –  While they don’t take up an entire window, portable units do take up a bit of floor space. Being easily movable makes this less of an issue, but it’s still something to consider. 

Noise – Not to say they’re obnoxiously loud or anything, but they’re not silent either.

6. Floor & Wall Mounted AC Systems

Mounted AC systems are another form of standalone AC system that feeds both directly into a room and directly out of a room – the big difference is that instead of feeding through the window, both floor mounted and wall mounted units feed in and out through walls via two thick pipes. These types of AC systems are becoming somewhat outdated thanks to portable units, but they can still be found in a lot of hotels and older buildings. 

Pros

No Windows – The one unique aspect of these floor and wall mounted systems, their avoidance of windows is also their biggest advantage. By feeding through a wall instead of a window, you avoid blocking and permanently occupying the latter. These systems are also capable of functioning in rooms without any windows whatsoever, so long as you there’s access to at least one exterior facing wall.  

Cons

Installation and Placement – Unlike window units and portable systems which rarely require professional installation, floor and wall mounted units almost always require a professional to install. Once installed, they have a permanently fixed position that will inevitably render them clearly visible and audible. 

Limited Range – While they have slightly greater range and price variability than window units and portable units, floor and wall mounted units have a similarly limited range of cooling capability. Size-wise they’re great for single rooms and limited spaces, hence their prevalence in hotels. 

Outdated – The more popular portable air conditioning units become, the more obscure these close predecessors become as a result. 

7. Geothermal AC Systems

Geothermal systems are a relatively new phenomenon in the world of residential HVAC. These highly advanced systems use naturally sourced geothermal energy (ground heat) to cool (or heat) your home by passing hot and cold water between a system of pipes placed deep beneath your home, a heat pump typically located in the home’s basement, and the home itself. 

Pros

Efficiency – Out of all the systems mentioned here, geothermal systems are by far the most efficient in terms of their energy use, overall output and operating costs. Since geothermal systems use their own private supply of naturally sourced energy, these systems cost next to nothing to operate once they’re up and running. 

Performance – Geothermal HVAC systems are currently the most cutting edge form of climate control available for consumer use, and they are designed for homeowners who want the very best the industry has to offer in terms of quality and performance. 

Lifespan – Geothermal HVAC systems are designed to last anywhere from 25 to 50 years, an impressive metric that is 2-4 times longer than the lifespans of other types of systems. 

Cons

Cost – If you’re wondering why geothermal systems aren’t more common, it’s likely more to do with how expensive they are to install than anything else. While you can operate them for next to nothing, getting one installed will run you anywhere from $10K to $30K on average, with the largest home systems costing upwards of $45K.  

Installation Process – Naturally, geothermal systems require by far the most intense installation process. This is why the vast majority of new geothermal systems are being installed into new homes during construction, as opposed to digging under a pre-existing structure to replace a pre-existing system, which would obviously cause prices to skyrocket even higher. 

8. Smart AC Systems

While it’s not a type of AC system in the same sense as the others on this list, most modern AC systems can be upgraded to incorporate smart technology capabilities with little more than a new smart thermostat. These upgraded capabilities include pre-scheduling thermostat settings, remote access to your system’s settings via smart devices, advanced system warnings and more.  

Pros

Savings – By using less electricity and helping you form better energy consumption habits with advanced capabilities like scheduled settings, smart technology enables you to save money on your heating and cooling costs every single month. 

Convenience – In addition to saving energy and money, equipping your home’s HVAC system with smart technology will save you time and effort by streamlining your home comfort experience. In addition to being able to schedule out your HVAC settings ahead of time, you can also adjust your settings at any time from virtually anywhere in the world via your smartphone, tablet or computer.

Cons

Installation Costs – The only real downside to upgrading your HVAC system to a smart system is the upfront cost. It’s nothing astronomical, but most upgrades to a reliable smart system will cost at least a couple hundred dollars when all is said and done. However, this cost can be recouped over time by the savings you incur. 

Tech Heavy – If you’re the type of person who has a hard time with new technology (or technology in general), there can be a slight learning curve to take into account when switching over to smart HVAC. 

Closing Thoughts

We hope this information helps you choose the right type of AC system for your needs. Ready to shop? Our HVAC experts here at Maichle’s will help you find the perfect system, get you the best price possible and take care of everything from installation to routine maintenance. 

Visit www.maichleshvac.com or give us a call at (302) 328-4822 to learn more and get started now!