Central A/C vs. Free Standing Unit

[Gilfren]

Ok, so I recently bought my first house. It previously had central A/C before the furnace was replaced 3 years ago without an AC coil (they used the house as a vacation lake house and didn't see the need for central). So I have a programmable thermostat, the hook ups for a unit (though it may be a bit old) and basically the makings to have central A/C but I'm not sure it's the better option?

 

It's a 3 bedroom 1 bath single story house.. roughly 1000 sq feet... I would need my bedroom cool at night, my "Get ready/vanity" room cool in the morning, then the living space (living room, dining, kitchen and hall are all open) cool during home hours.

 

My debate is between going central A/C 1st quote was 3k, getting a second quote tomorrow

or getting 2-3 free standing units (not window shakers, but the ones that look to be distant cousins of R2D2).

 

Does anyone have experience with this decision? Maybe a before and after central a/c experience?

 

I have the 3k, but if it's not going to be an operation that saves me $$ or is more efficient in the long run, I'd rather put that $$ somewhere else (remodel kitchen, save it, etc.)

 

So to sum it up... Central A/C with programmable thermostat or 2-3 free standing units

[Morrigainz]

I would say just go with central air. I've lived in homes that did not have central, and it was a bear in the summer. But that's just me

[guest439437484421]

Central air.  And if you can get a thermostat that allows you to program it.  That way you can leave it cooler/warmer during the day when noone's home, then adjust it to comfortable when home.  saves a decent amount of money energy wise.

[Gilfren]

My worry is that I'll never recoup my initial investment of the 3K. I'm a bit of a princess and like it pretty cool

[Frost of the Gloaming]

I think for energy usage Central air might be better, every time the compressor kicks in for the portable unit we can see the lights dim a bit, but we also live in a house built in the late 1800's, that might have something to do with it

[Frost of the Gloaming]

you will when you go to sell the house, by then you might be able to get more then an extra $3k for it

[Jstrain]

I thought those freestanding units weren't as efficient as a window unit, which in turn isn't as efficient as an actual central air unit.  For my money, I'd definitely go with central ac.

 

We just moved from a rental with window units to a house with central ac.  For me, the temp isn't even as important as how central ac cuts down the humidity in the whole house.  Sucked walking from a cool bedroom into the hallway and immediately feeling the humidity hit you.

[Gilfren]

I thought those freestanding units weren't as efficient as a window unit, which in turn isn't as efficient as an actual central air unit.  For my money, I'd definitely go with central ac.

 

We just moved from a rental with window units to a house with central ac.  For me, the temp isn't even as important as how central ac cuts down the humidity in the whole house.  Sucked walking from a cool bedroom into the hallway and immediately feeling the humidity hit you.

This is a big issue as well, I'm glad you reminded me.... the humidity was an issue with my wall unit at my old apartment.

 

I could see myself dealing with not as cool a temp if the humidity was low, but blasting the a/c if it's humid

[WizardTrip]

I couldn't live without central now, but I lived in the Dominican Republic for 7 years without it and survived. With that said, those houses are very open allowing a lot of airflow and it really is a different thing.

 

As for the portable units, there are really 2 types of units with 2 different types of requirements, and one is a bit more expensive.

 

Portable Evaporative Cooling (Air Cooler, Swamp Cooler, etc) - These are most likely what people think about when thinking of portable A/C, but they aren't really a normal A/C unit. They cool dry air by adding humidity to it. You'd have to have an open window for fresh air, because once the inside air is cooled (saturated with water) the air really can't be cooled any more. They are most efficient when the relative humidity is 20% or below. They work well in dry climates. The maximum cooling effect is around 20 - 25 degrees (found that on a site somewhere).

 

"Portable" Air Conditioning - This is what most people are used to (central air, etc), and may be what you had in mind since this is the true A/C method. This is also the more expensive route (starting at $300+ for 1 unit). They are available in portable versions (not just the window style units), but they do require some way to vent the hot air they create outside, typically with some kind of included window vent kit. They also require a bit more upkeep.

[Gilfren]

*sigh* I'm so terrible at big decisions.

[Jstrain]

Yeah, like WT mentioned, those freestanding units need to vented through a window, and I believe they also need a drain hose going outside / to a sink, or they have catch buckets that need to be emptied.

[Gilfren]

So I'm going to look like a crazy person if I've got 3 units. Also, my windows slide side by side instead of up and down so theres some added eyesore with the window vent thing :/

[Morrigainz]

Yeah. I'd say go with central. Plus like DJ mentioned, it'll add to the value of the house if you ever decide to sell.

[marionette]

Our house has central and I love it. BEST THING EVER. That said, at night rather than cool the whole house to a good sleeping temperature, we run a unit in the bedroom specifically. We've found it really helps reduce our overall bill, while still making sure we can sleep at night.

[Gainsdalf the Whey]

Yep, it will add value that you should be able to recoup.  Also, central air is A LOT quiter than window units. I never had central air until my second apartment as an adult and it's awesome compared to window units.

[guest439437484421]

Also do some checking around windows and exterior doors to make sure you're not loosing a lot of the air inside the house into the environment.

[cline]

We put in a Japanese mini split system. Best decision ever gives you one area cooling options wo window units

[Gilfren]

Get my second quote today, but I'm 99% going to go central... I looked at my house and it would look like a hazmat scene with 2-3 free standing units. And with my job being what it is, I don't have the time to maintenance units :/

[Gainsdalf the Whey]

Get my second quote today, but I'm 99% going to go central... I looked at my house and it would look like a hazmat scene with 2-3 free standing units. And with my job being what it is, I don't have the time to maintenance units :/

 

Maintenance units? I don't think we did maintenance on our window units ever. Then again, that might be why they sounded like they were going to die all summer...

[Gilfren]

Maintenance units? I don't think we did maintenance on our window units ever. Then again, that might be why they sounded like they were going to die all summer...

Well, I have a crawl space, so any dripping would need to be diverted away from the foundation, my windows are very tall and insulating around them would be very hard and probably ineffecient (with my skills).

[Gainsdalf the Whey]

Well, I have a crawl space, so any dripping would need to be diverted away from the foundation, my windows are very tall and insulating around them would be very hard and probably ineffecient (with my skills).

 

That's like saying when it rains you need to dig a moat around your house.  The amount of water from dripping is negligable compared to rainfall. If rainfall doesn't damage stuff, dripping shouldn't.

[Gilfren]

A fair point well made

[Gilfren]

Its fairly obvious I have no idea what I'm doing.

 

Which may be an argument for central.

[Gainsdalf the Whey]

Its fairly obvious I have no idea what I'm doing.

 

Which may be an argument for central.

Window units are easy.  The only pain is installing them every spring and taking them out in the fall (due to not wanting snowfall or leaves accumulating on top). Central air is the way to go if you have the money for it, you don't do anything but adjust the thermostat and pay an AC maintanance guy to come out every 5 years or so.