Even if a room in your home lacks access to a ducted air conditioning system, you can still cool it. There are plenty of other options. Here’s a comparison guide to help you choose the best ductless air conditioner for your situation.
Keys to choosing a system
The key factors for selecting the right system are where the ductless air conditioner will be placed, the size of the area to be cooled, and the unit’s output. You should also consider price, durability, warranty, and user reviews.
The general rule is that you need an output of 20 British Thermal Units (BTUs) for every square foot to be cooled. Thus, you need a unit producing 9,000 BTUs to cool 450 square feet.
Look for a compressor with a warranty of five years or more.
Mini-split system
A mini-split system has an inside air handler with evaporator coils mounted high on a wall, distributing chilled air to one or a few rooms. This ductless air conditioner is connected to an outside compressor and condenser unit. Mini-splits are durable, quiet, and can last for many years. A good mini-split system costs $1,400 or more.
You’ll need to pull and clean the thin air filter behind the front removable panel of a mini-split system at least once per month. You’ll also need to clean the outside condenser and inside evaporator coils twice yearly. Use a foam cleaner available at home improvement stores.
Window air conditioners
These ubiquitous units are mounted in windows, blowing cold air in and dripping condensation outside from the back of the unit. Capable of delivering excellent cooling, window air conditioners can be loud inside, so shop for brands that reviewers say are quieter, more durable and have a warranty on the compressor of at least five years. You must mount a locking bracket to keep burglars from lifting the window to break in. The accordion side panels to fill the window gap on each side are flimsy and not energy efficient. An alternate version is a window unit that straddles the window frame like a saddle, with half the machine inside and half out. Window air conditioners start at $600.
Wall-mounted and through-the-wall units
Wall-mounted or through-the-wall units are alternate choices when a window is not available. A wall-mounted air conditioner is attached to an inside wall near the floor. You’ve seen these in hotel rooms. They are about three feet long with vents on top beside a control panel. Condenser coils and a drain are exposed on the outside. These units are typically quiet and long-lived and start at $1,200.
A through-the-wall unit looks identical to a window unit, except you install it into a hole cut in the wall. The condenser coils and drain are outside. These, too, can be loud, so shop brands that reviewers say are quieter. Pricing is similar to window units, but through-the-wall units must be mounted in a metal casing called a sleeve or chassis, which adds about $150 to the price.
Portable air conditioners
Portable air conditioners stand on the floor in a room. You must connect them to a window by a ventilation duct. Some models have drain lines for condensation to the outside. Units without such a line fill a receptor tank inside the unit, which you must empty periodically. Portable units are loud and take up floor space. Their portability is limited by their need to have window access. Reviewers report that their cooling ability lags behind that of window and wall units. Choose a portable air conditioner only where window and wall units are not an option. Portable air conditioners start at $700.
Related – Is a Ductless Mini-Split Air System Right For Your Home?
