Central Vs Window Air Conditioning - Which Works Best in San Jose?

An air conditioning unit is a must-have for every home in San Jose.  Most of the homes available on rent come with air conditioners installed in them. But, the recently-built houses do not have this facility. The tenant has to install one and that’s when his dilemma starts.

Questions such as which air conditioner would be the best, what would be the cost, will the internal wiring support the voltage configuration, how much will be the energy cost, and so on are foremost in every tenant’s mind. The decision-making period is the toughest, and the tenant has to explore the different options available in the market.

Types of air conditioners

1. Window air conditioners: These are units that sit in the window. They are usually held with the support of a piece of wood or metal board that protrudes from the window on the outer side. They just need to be plugged into any standard electrical outlet in the house.

2. Central air conditioners: These are units that spread coolness throughout the house through the ducts around the house interiors. Controlled by a central thermostat, these systems are best when you need to maintain perfect temperature throughout the house.

3. Portable air conditioners: These are systems that require no permanent installation. They are compact, mobile, and can be used to cool a certain area of the house. These units are best suited for areas with moderate levels of humidity. Most of the time, these units are chosen by people who need a supplement for their central air conditioners.  

In San Jose, we find people using window air conditioners in homes, while most offices are centrally air-conditioned. Centralized air conditioners are more common in older homes and in those built by homeowners for personal use.

With the recent housing boom, people looking for homes need to make a wise choice when it comes to choosing a most suitable air conditioner for the house. Most newly-built houses and condominiums do not come with built-in air conditioning systems and this is where a wise decision can go a long way.

Before a choice is made, we need to look at few basic differences between window air conditioner and a central system.

1. Expenses: In San Jose, buying a central air conditioning system can be a big investment in terms of the equipment required for the system, the ductwork required and the installation. In this comparison, the cost of a number of small units will be less than the cost of installing a new centralized air conditioning system.

2. Size: The size of the house or apartment you have moved into has a significant role to play here. If the residing area is not large, the window unit would be the best option. Spending the time money and energy in the installation of a centralized air conditioner may not be a good choice.

3. Efficiency: Statistics say that central air conditioners are more efficient than window units. A window air conditioner is about 20% less efficient that a central system.

4. Utility: In centralized air conditioners, the air-conditioning runs in the whole house, even if you are using only one room at a time. In the absence of a zoned system, you have no choice but to let the unit run, maintaining the same temperature throughout the house, whether it is required or not. In window units, you can simply switch off the air conditioner when you leave the room.

5. No leakage: As ductwork is absent in window air conditioners, there are lesser chances of wear and leaks. 

6. Repairs: Central HVAC systems are designed to deliver at least 10 years of service. With proper maintenance, they can last much longer. This is not so in the case of window air conditioners. The cost of repairs may prove to be more that the cost of buying a new system.

In San Jose, both types of systems work well. The decision on which type of unit to install depends on who you are – a homeowner or a tenant. There are pros and cons to both types of air conditioners and benefits to savings will depend upon your individual air conditioning needs.