As the weather warms up, people start to seek out ways to keep their homes cool and comfortable, and the most popular way of doing this is by using air conditioning.  There is an air conditioner to suit any situation and here we outline the different types of air conditioners that are currently available on the market. For advice about which one is best for you, simply talk to your local air conditioning professional.

Window Air Conditioners

A window air conditioner can either be installed in a window or into a special hole cut through the wall.  They are an all in one unit and they are great for smaller rooms such as bedrooms.  Window air conditioners can be installed yourself to save a little money.

Split System Air Conditioners

A split system air conditioner is one where the compressor (outdoor unit) is installed outside the home and it is connected by piping to the indoor unit that blows cool air into the room.  Split systems are great for larger or more open areas, and they are very effective at cooling.

Multi Split System Air Conditioners

A multi split system air conditioner is similar to a split system air conditioner in that it has one main outdoor unit or compressor.  The difference however is that it has more than one unit inside the home, each unit running from the same outdoor unit.  This allows you to cool more than one area of the home easily and effectively.

Ducted Air Conditioners

A ducted air conditioner is one that is capable of cooling the whole home at the same time, or just certain areas of the home if you prefer. How much of the home is cooled at any one time depends on the zones that you set (for example, living and bedrooms).  Ducted air conditioners have one large cooling unit that is mounted outside the home, inside the roof, or underneath the floor and the air is distributed to each room through a series of ducting.

Portable Air Conditioners

A portable air conditioner is any type of air conditioner that is not permanently installed into a room. You can move the air conditioner from room to room as needed. They are relatively cheap to purchase and are great for renters who cannot install permanent air conditioners but they are not as efficient to run and they may not be able to cool your room as much as you would like.

Inverter Technology

Inverter technology is where a type of air conditioner is fitted with an inverter, a device that is able to change the fan and motor speed in order to cool a room more efficiently.  The inverter continually adjusts the air conditioner’s fan and motor speed to get the room to the desired temperature as quickly as possible and, once the temperature is reached, the inverter adjusts itself to keep the room at the correct temperature.  Inverters make air conditioners more efficient as, without the technology, the air conditioner has to constantly turn itself off and on to try and maintain the temperature, which uses more electricity.

Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners

A reverse cycle air conditioner is any type of air conditioner that has the ability to cool the room, but also to heat it as well.  Basically, choosing a reverse cycle air conditioner means that you have an air conditioner and a heater in one, so you don’t have to buy a separate heater.  One big advantage of reverse cycle air conditioners is that they are one of the most efficient forms of electric heating.

Evaporative Coolers

Evaporative coolers are popular in dry climates and while they are not an air conditioner as such, they are classified as one as they are able to cool a room quite well. They work by drawing in warm air, passing it over water to cool it, and then blowing the cooled, moistened air back into the room.