Don’t have central air conditioning in your home? Hoping there are more alternatives to central air than a bunch of electric fans? Don’t sweat it. 40% of Americans make do without central air.

Whether you live in an apartment, rent a home, or own an older home without ductwork, you don’t have to deal with hot air. There are comfortable, cost effective and energy efficient alternatives to central air conditioning available to you. Continue reading to discover popular alternatives for central air conditioning systems that take you beyond swamp coolers and electric fans.

Air Conditioning Alternatives for Renters

If you aren’t a homeowner, you won’t want to invest in an expensive air conditioning system without your landlord’s blessing and pocketbook. Luckily, window air conditioners are a great alternative way to keep your home or apartment cool in the summer months without spending an arm and a leg.

Window Units

Window unit air conditioners cost between $120 and $600 new. You can save money by doing your research. Window AC units can be found used for as little as $20. They can only be used in one room at a time and are too bulky to move from room to room. With this in mind, you may want to purchase more than one window air conditioner.

The size of the area that you’d like to cool is another important consideration. The cooling potential of a window air conditioner is measured in BTUs, or British Thermal Units. To determine how many BTUs of energy you need to cool your home or apartment, measure the area that you’d like to keep cool and use a BTU calculator to determine how much cooling power you need.

Finally, be sure to measure the openings of your windows in order to find an appropriately sized window air conditioner. Many window air conditioners can expand lengthwise, but the height of your window opening must be taller than the air conditioning unit.

Window Units vs Portable Air Conditioners – Are They the Same?

While both window units and portable air conditioners serve the purpose of cooling a room, they are not the same and have significant differences.

Installation:

• Window Unit: A window unit is designed to be installed in a window or a specially made hole in a wall. It typically consists of a single unit with all the components contained within it.
• Portable Air Conditioner: A portable air conditioner is a standalone unit on wheels that can be easily moved from one room to another. It requires an exhaust hose to be vented out through a window, wall, or drop ceiling.

Cooling Capacity:

• Window Unit: Window units generally have higher cooling capacities and are suitable for cooling larger areas such as a single room or a small apartment.
• Portable Air Conditioner: Portable air conditioners are typically designed for cooling smaller areas such as individual rooms, offices, or small apartments.

Energy Efficiency:

• Window Unit: Window units are often more energy-efficient compared to portable air conditioners. They are designed for a specific window size, ensuring a better seal and minimizing air leakage.
• Portable Air Conditioner: Portable air conditioners may be less energy-efficient due to the exhaust hose, which can lead to some heat exchange with the outside environment.

Flexibility:

• Window Unit: Once installed, a window unit remains fixed in one location and cannot be easily moved. It provides a permanent cooling solution for a specific area.
• Portable Air Conditioner: Portable air conditioners offer flexibility as they can be moved from room to room as needed. They are ideal for situations where cooling is required in different areas of a home or office.

Noise Level:

• Window Unit: Window units tend to be quieter during operation since the noisiest components are positioned outside the window.
• Portable Air Conditioner: Portable air conditioners produce more noise because the compressor and other components are located within the unit itself.

Choosing a window unit over a portable air conditioner may be preferable in the following situations:

• Cooling a larger area: Window units have higher cooling capacities and are better suited for cooling larger spaces effectively.
• Energy efficiency: If energy efficiency is a priority, window units generally provide better insulation and sealing, resulting in reduced energy consumption.
• Noise sensitivity: If noise is a concern, a window unit may be a better option as the noisiest components are placed outside.

Air Conditioning Alternatives for Homes without Ductwork

Central air conditioning was considered a luxury item until the 1950s, when the post-war boom gave many Americans the money they needed to invest in air conditioning. Many homes built before 1950 don’t have ductwork due to the rarity of central heating and air conditioning.

Some home owners may choose to retrofit their older home to add ductwork. However, this upgrade tends to be very expensive and labor intensive. Luckily, there are energy efficient air conditioning solutions for homeowners who want to ditch the window units, but don’t want to add ductwork to their older home.

Ductless Air Conditioning as an Alternative to Central Air

The most popular type of ductless air conditioning are the ductless mini-split systems. Like central air conditioners, mini-split A/Cs have two central components: an outdoor compressor and condenser, and an indoor unit that attaches to an interior wall in your home.

Some ductless mini-split systems come with just one indoor unit, while others come with multiple, so that you can cool the air for several rooms in your home. One benefit of mini-split air conditioners is that each indoor unit comes with its own thermostat, so you can set different zones of your home to different temperatures.

If you own an older home without ductwork or an HVAC system, choosing an air conditioning solution may be challenging. If you are unsure of which alternative air conditioning system is best for you, the Ray N. Welter Heating Company can conduct a thorough analysis of your home in order to professionally assess your needs and suggest a solution. Contact us today!