With summer finally coming to an end here in Portland, OR, you might be looking at replacing an old, malfunctioning air conditioner with a new unit. Now is the perfect time to do it, when you have months of cool weather on the way to set a schedule at your leisure. But just because you’re replacing your old air conditioner, that doesn’t mean you need to install a new one just like it. There are several alternatives to the traditional central model available, and while they don’t match the needs of every home they can be quite a boon when they do. Here are several alternate types of air conditioning to think about when preparing to replace your existing unit.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps combine the features of a heater and an air conditioner into one unit. In the summer, they generate cool air inside while releasing warm air outside. In the winter, the cycle is essentially reversed, generating warm air indoors and releasing cold air outdoors. Heat pumps do well in areas with mild winters like ours, and can save you money in winter heating bills.
Geothermal Systems
Geothermal systems often require a large property space, though this isn’t always the case. It runs a series of coils beneath the earth, far enough down so that the temperature doesn’t change no matter what the weather outside is like. It runs a combination of water and antifreeze through the coils, facilitating a heat exchange with the earth and cooling your home. It costs a fair amount to install, but it rarely needs repairs and will save you huge amounts on monthly bills.
Ductless Systems
Ductless systems set up small individual AC units in different sections of your home, each able to be operated independently. That lets you adjust the temperature in each room individually and turn off the AC in rooms that are unoccupied, which can also cut down on those monthly bills.
For more on alternative types of air conditioning, call the pros at Clean Air Act Inc. today!