Most people have seen and used a split air conditioner. As opposed to the Windows styles that you see in many homes or the centralized heating and air conditioning that is often seen, the split style runs off of electricity. There are mini and larger models available, but knowing exactly what you are buying is the key before you put any money down.
If have ever seen the large air conditioning units in the back of homes or apartments, then you have seen a split air conditioner. The ones that are outside are often quite large, though there are some smaller low capacity models on the market. These can be loud depending on the model, but they are much more affordable to install as opposed to central heating and air conditioning. That being said, they are more expensive at the start because of the initial investment of having to buy the unit.
A miniature split air conditioner is much smaller and is installed on the wall. These can be either more expensive or less expensive than larger models, depending on how high of a capacity it has. It is recommended that a professional install both larger a miniature models because they need to be hooked up directly to your ventilation system. A mistake can mean wasting the cool air that these units provide, which essentially will waste your money as it drains power.
These units are called split conditioners because the internal workings are essentially split in half. One side takes in the hot air, expels part of it, and push it the rest store compressor. The air goes to the compressor to the other half of the unit, which cools the air with evaporator coils. This is most likely not something you thought about whatever you’ve seen one of these units outside, but the internal workings are relatively elaborate.
Finding these air-conditioners can take some time, as they are often only at home improvement or hardware stores. Most big-box department stores do not carry them, and depending on how many hardware and home improvement retailers there are in your area, your choices may be limited. Taking your search online is very effective if you are looking for a miniature units, as the shipping prices will not be too high. If you do start to look online for you, be sure that you pay attention to the shipping charges as these are not small pieces of equipment. Depending on what you order in the company order from, shipping charges can be as much as $50-$100. This can negate any savings you may have by shopping online.
While they are not the most popular option, depending on the electricity prices in your area as well as the type of heating and air conditioning system you may or may not already have installed in your home, it may be the cheaper option. If installed properly, a split air conditioner can save you money on electricity. If installed improperly, one of these units can cost you hundreds of dollars more a year.