Are you looking for a practical solution to add air conditioning
Possible Solutions
- Traditional Ducted HVAC system
- Connecting to your homes main air conditioner
- Portable air conditioner
- Window air conditioner unit
- Mini-Split Air Conditioner
- Evaporative / Swamp cooler
Pros and Cons of Each System
Traditional Ducted HVAC systems
By adding a correctly sized traditional ducted air conditioner
Attaching to Existing ductwork.
Consult a trusted professional before connecting to your homes main air conditioner system. They will tell you if you have enough tonnage in your unit to adequately supply enough conditioned air without disrupting the whole house. NEVER add a duct from your homes air conditioner to supply your garage with air conditioning. It is illegal and may cause death. Exhaust fumes from the garage will enter you home through the ductwork.
Pros:
- Cost effective if existing unit has enough tonnage.
- Whole house systems can be the most reliable.
- Whole house systems are one of the most efficient (highest seer)
- Quiet and practically hidden. No unsightly appliances.
- Multiple rooms can be served.
- Provides both heating and cooling.
Cons:
- NEVER use in a garage
- Return ducts or jump ducts must be added for proper circulation
- Thermostat location maybe poorly situated
Portable Air Conditioner
Small portable air conditioners have gained popularity in the past several years due to their price and ease of installation. These air conditioners can sit in almost any room and plug into a regular 110v outlet. A small exhaust duct links the back of the unit to window adapter or hole cut into a wall to vent heated air outside. While the net effect is cooling, the nature of how it is achieves this on most units is a major design flaw. By pushing air out the house, hot outside air must come into the house.
Pros:
- Small and portable
- Inexpensive
- Can be used in a garage to spot cool a small area
Cons:
- Very inefficient and very little net cooling.
- Brings in hot, dirty, moist outside air making your home uncomfortable.
- Will cool an area, probably not the whole room.
- Noisy, must be close to appreciate cold air.
- Must vent to outside, duct is left un-dampered when not in use.
- Water reservoir must be emptied occasionally, especially on humid days.
Window Air Conditioner
Most people are familiar with traditional window units. Modern units have decent seer ratings and come in a variety of sizes.
Pros:
- Efficient due to split design. The hot side is outside and the cold side is on the inside.
- Inexpensive
- No ductwork
- If sized correctly, it will cool entire room.
- Most have built in thermostats.
- Most have fan only modes.
- Can be mounted in a wall opening, without a window.
- Can be used in a garage. Expensive electric bills will result, but it will add comfort.
Cons:
- If used in a window, it may block egress in the event there is a fire.
- Larger sizes do not fit between 16″ o.c. exterior studs.
- Noisy, fan and compressor are in the room with you.
- One room only.
- The thermostat is on the unit resulting in a room not at a uniform temperature.
Mini Split Ductless units
Mini Split Ductless units are systems with two halves. The condenser half sits outside on a concrete or brick pad and the fan unit is mounted high on a interior wall. Some units provide for multiple interior fan units.
Pros:
- Very efficient
- Tend to be quieter than portable and window units. Fan is in the room, while the compressor is outside.
- Can cool larger areas, and multiple rooms with additional inside units.
- The fan and cooler are mounted high in the room for better circulation.
- Remote thermostats are available on some units to help cool uniformly.
- Some units act as heat pumps to provide heating in the winter.
- Great for garages and workshops.
Cons:
- Professional installation is required to run electrical and charge the system with refrigerant.
- Units are available online and from professionals, not at local retailers.
- Space is needed outside for condenser.
- Pipes must run from the units outside to the inside fan units. Can be complex for multiple fan units.
- Pricier than window or portable units, but typically less than a traditional ducted unit.