In the scorching, hotbox-creating, face-melting heat of the summer, an air conditioner is a must-have appliance for most households. Yes we are aware that this is a 1st world sort-of statement, we are well aware. Be that as it may, it’s true for most of us spoiled developed country folks. One exception evidently is New Zealand – as we understand it, very few people there have AC! And also, no one has screens in their windows! So you open the windows, and all summer long rando New Zealand insects are just coming in and out as they please. This is very disturbing to us here at fabsummer.co. If you are a New Zealander and want to correct our ignorance, please do in the comments! But we digress…
Frigidaire FFRE0533S1
It is a super-popular Frigidaire FFRE0533S1 which is easy to use and has amazing results. Find out why on Amazon right now!
Eh hmmm… As we were saying, many modern houses come equipped with central air conditioning units that cool the entire house, while older houses often have to rely on other forms of air conditioners to take care of their cooling needs. Either that or their owners plunk down a cash bomb to get that beautiful, charming old house retrofitted with cental AC. This brings us to an important topic, which air conditioner system is best suited for your home if you don’t have a centrally cooled system? See the Comparison of Window Air Conditioner vs Ductless Split AC System
Window Mounted Air Conditioners:
Let’s start with the most common Frigidaire FFRE0533S1 air conditioning unit, aka the window air conditioner –these are the workhorses for most houses that do not have a central AC unit. The main benefits of 
window ACs are that they are cheap to buy, cheap to install and cheap to run. The trifecta of house cooling on a budget. They are also incredibly reliable and don’t need as much maintenance as, say, a ductless air conditioner. It’s perfect for cooling individual rooms and come in various capacities. They can be had for as little as $150 or so, and then the powerful ones (high btu’s) do go up in price accordingly. Window AC units are perfect for rooms that require a separate cooling zone from the rest of the household, like the guestroom or perhaps a garage that is used for a workspace of some kind.
Pros:
- Cheap to buy and maintain.
- Easy to Install.
- Available in various capacities.
Cons:
- Can get very noisy with some cheaper models.
- Very heavy, and hence, transportation and installation typically require two people, and still you might end up with an AC unit on the ground outside your window. (#Realtalk)
- Requires a sizeable cut-out in the window frame to install.In other words, if you have a tiny basement transom window, a window unit is just not going to fit, no matter the physical pressure applied to it from your Uncle Jack. Not going to happen.
- Power hungry. Window ACs, especially the higher BTU models, can really suck up some power – and in turn jack up your electric bill!
Ductless AC:
okyotech 12,000 BTU are less popular in US markets as compared to the rest of the systems mentioned here, but are incredibly popular in the Asian and European markets. Like window air conditioners, they too are meant to cool off smaller spaces, although depending on the model, they can cool off much larger areas than window-mounted units. But, unlike window-mounted units, these aren’t really suited for every environment, because they tend to get very expensive.
But they certainly can still be the best option for tricky areas like basements with tiny windows and similar spaces where a window AC just won’t work.
Pros:
- Very quiet operation.
- Incredibly efficient in using power.
- Don’t take a lot of accessible space as they are usually mounted up high on walls.
Cons
- Expensive to buy as compared to window units.
- Requires highly skilled personnel for installation.
- Has very high maintenance compared to window units.
- Not as easily accessible as window units.
While both of these air conditioner types are suited for a range of operations, ultimately it’s the price that becomes the deciding factor when making your oh-so-important AC unit decision. Yes, you can get a state-of-the-art unit with a state of the art, fancy design and performance, but it may be a financial hose job to do so, then on the flipside, while window units are cheap, they tend to suck up more power and can be expensive in the long run.
All of the above being said, air conditioners available today are incredibly reliable and tend to have very high efficiency ratings. So, if you have a large enough spare space and don’t mind a little noise, then, by all means, get a window mounted unit for its versatility and dependability. And on the other hand, if you have some $ to work with, and need to cool down a tricky space, then you probably want to go with a ductless AC system. We hope this has been helpful!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ductless air conditioners require special cleaning?
No, ductless conditioners require the same cleansing regime as that of the windows AC. The filters need to be cleaned regularly, which can be done without removing the Air conditioner. Follow the periodic maintenance schedule, and you are good to go.
I don’t have a particular cut-out area for Window AC. What should I do?
We suggest you get a ductless air conditioner as it would be easier to install and operate. If you still want to go for windows AC, shell out some money and get an area cut-out in synch with the specifications of the windows AC to enjoy it.
Can I install the AC by myself?
Air conditioners come with a manual that carries the instructions for installation. Usually, a windows AC is easy to install and can be done by oneself. However, a ductless AC generally requires professional support for proper installation. So, it’s up to you. You can try your hands on installation or look for expert help.