Central air conditioning systems are much more efficient and provide better comfort than window air conditions. However, installing a central air conditioning system in an existing home may present a challenge depending on how the home is currently configured. If you have decided to take the plunge and replace your window air conditioners with a central air conditioning system, your HVAC contractor will likely offer you a choice of a traditional split system central air conditioner or a ductless mini split system.
A traditional split system central air conditioner is a good choice for a home that already has a duct system installed for the furnace. With a traditional split system, the compressor unit sits outside the home and the evaporator coils are installed in the air handler near the furnace.
The existing distribution and return ducts are used to distribute the conditioned air and to circulate the air throughout the home. One concern to using the existing duct system is that it may be improperly sized for the air conditioning system. The duct system must be matched to the air conditioner in order to maximize efficiency. Replacing existing ductwork can be very expensive, but in some cases your HVAC contractor may be able to improve the energy efficiency of the home which would allow the use of a smaller air conditioner that is better matched to the existing ductwork.
If the home does not have a duct system, installation of a duct system is usually cost prohibitive and a ductless mini split system is a good alternative. These systems use an externally mounted compressor connected to separate air handlers mounted in each room. With a mini split system there is no ductwork to run and each air handler can be sized appropriately. A separate thermostat in each room provides excellent flexibility and efficiency.
