The dog days of summer are upon us, bringing hot, humid weather that makes a reliable air conditioning unit essential for your indoor comfort. C & S Heating & Cooling, an experienced HVAC contractor serving Wentzville, Troy, Warrenton, and O'Fallon, MO, offers some tips below to help you choose the right air conditioner for your needs.

Tips for Selecting the Right Air Conditioning Unit

Style

The first step is to understand your style options. If you want to cool your entire home, a central air system is your best choice. On the other hand, if you spend most of your time in one room, a window unit or a mini-split—also called "ductless"—unit may be your best option. You can also cool multiple rooms—usually up to four—with a mini-split system by adding additional indoor evaporator units run by a single outdoor compressor. Thus, a mini-split and a portable air conditioner unit are both good choices if you regularly move between rooms but cannot afford central air.

Price

Central air conditioning is the most expensive option, and it requires a system of ductwork to operate. However, it is also the most convenient because it keeps your whole home cool. A mini-split unit is more affordable to install and operate because it doesn't require air ducts and it cools only targeted rooms. The window unit and the portable AC unit are the least expensive options, but both are limited by their ability to cool only a single room at a time.

Size

Air conditioner cooling capacity is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). Generally, you need 20 BTUs for every square foot of living space. Thus, to cool a 10-foot by 10-foot bedroom with a window air conditioning unit, you need one that puts out at least 2,000 BTUs (100 feet by 20 feet).

C & S Heating & Cooling in Wentzville, MO, can help you select, install, and maintain an air conditioning unit of the most appropriate size and style. Visit their website to request service, or call (636) 327-4238 to discuss heating and air conditioning repair or installation with a helpful, knowledgeable professional.