Air conditioning installation options: Which should you choose?
When the hot summer days are in and you want some cool air, relying on your electric fan doesn’t really help. Admit it or not, there are no two ways around staying fresh during the summer when it’s scorching hot everywhere, other than by having an air conditioning system in your home.
You know, gone are the days when air conditioners were a luxury. Our world is getting warmer and warmer by the day and there’s just no better way to get cool air than by staying inside your home with your air conditioner on. If you do not have an air conditioning system in your home yet, maybe it’s about time to consider having one.
Just a tip before you go shopping though: There are many types of air conditioners, and regardless of the type you choose for your home, there is always one hurdle that you need to face: the installation. So before you make a choice, take a look at the following installation options you can choose from to install your air conditioning system:
Portable air conditioner
Of all air conditioner types, portable air conditioners are the easiest to install. Once you master the venting of this unit, you can fit it in different window types and use it as an accessory with central air systems. You don’t even need master-level DIY skills to set it up!
To install it, all you have to do is to affix the sealing plate to your window so it doesn’t move, attach the exhaust pipe to the unit and the flat exhaust pipe nozzle to the other end of the pipe, insert the pipe nozzle into the window sealing plate, and you’re good. It also helps to apply a security bracket to your window so nobody can open it from the outside.
It is not as effective as other types of air conditioners but it certainly is a better option than hanging around in a puddle of your own sweat! Also, draining the condensed water is pretty much all you need to maintain this air conditioning unit.
Window-type air conditioner
Another popular air conditioning installation option is the window-type air conditioner. It’s a money saver since you can install it if you want to cool down just one room and not your entire home. The newer models of window-type air conditioners have generally changed in terms of energy efficiency, but their installation is pretty much the same.
If you are a veteran air con installer, you will only need about 10 minutes to set up a window air conditioner. Just like the portable air conditioner, this one is pretty straightforward to install and requires but just a few tools.
To install it, you just need to secure the adjustable panels into your unit, insert the air con into the window by first setting the bottom part into your window’s bottom sill, and installing the L brackets to secure it in place and ensure that the windowpane does not open. The most difficult part of installing a window type aircon is the part where you need to lift it into place, so it’s best to have an extra set of hands to put it into its right spot. But once you’re done with that part, you can already breathe a sigh of relief.
Split air conditioner
Most homeowners consider the split type air conditioner as the best choice in the air conditioning department. It’s basically called “split” because half its system is installed outside while the other half is on the inside. The best thing about split air conditioners is that they don’t take up window space and have greater cooling capacity than your other options; however, installing it is a bit more complicated.
Installing a split type aircon basically involves three steps. First, you need to install the compressor unit, which is the outside unit, connect the refrigerant lines through a spanner, and connect the vacuum pump through the Gauge to the port of the compressor. You need a vacuum pull of 30 minutes to drain all the water vapor in the copper lines. The next part would be soldering the copper lines to make sure there are no leaks, and then applying pressure and making all the necessary electrical connections. Making these connections inside and out is the easiest part of installing a split type air conditioner.
Setting up a split aircon is much more elaborate than this, but we hope this concise explanation at least gives you an idea of how it’s done.
Central air conditioner
If you want a centralized air conditioning system for your home, go for a central air conditioner. But if you don’t want one that requires advanced air con installation skills and takes a long time to set up, this might not be the one for you.
Since a central air conditioner is meant to cool an entire home, running ductwork to the different parts of the house can be time-consuming and too complex for you to even try. It is also not ideal to install it when your house is already built because of its expansive model.
We won’t go into detail here, but to give you an idea of how it’s installed, let’s just say that a central air con involves three main setups. First is the thermostat, which refers to the device that controls the cooling action of the other parts of the unit and detects when the temperature is getting too high. The next part of the setup is the cooling, which involves installing the compressor condensing refrigerant. The last part of the setup is the air flow, which includes all the vents and ductwork.
Of all the air conditioning systems you can choose from, this one is the most complex of all. It is so complex we recommend that you leave its installation to the hands of professional air con installers.
