The Pros and Cons of Installing an Air Conditioning System in Your Home

There are a number of factors to consider when you are planning to install an air conditioning unit.

You may want to be aware of some of the advantages and disadvantages this kind of unit will have on your home. There may be some drawbacks you’re not aware of, and knowing about them can help you to make a more informed decision.

Let’s look at some of those so that you can make the right choice for your home.

Pro: Better Cooling and Airflow

Without an AC unit in the home, the best you can do to cool down your house is to open some windows and doors or turn on fans. All of these options offer very limited cooling, with natural ventilation dependent entirely on the weather conditions. An AC unit gives you much stronger cool air flow in the home, cooling down your home quickly and effectively, particularly compared to other options.

Con: Higher Electric Costs

Of course, with all that cooling the AC unit will be providing for you, you’ll be increasing your electric bill. This might not be such an issue during the colder months, but during the summer, you can expect a notable increase on your electric bill. This is one of those aspects of owning an AC unit that most people don’t consider. It may not be a factor for you, if you can absorb the increased cost easily, but you should definitely be aware of this downside.

Pro: Convenience

There’s nothing easier than simply lifting a remote control and pressing a button to turn on your AC unit. Some of the older models require you to walk over to them and turn them on, but that’s easier than positioning a fan and much simpler than opening a door or window. In some rooms of the house, you may have multiple windows that you need to open in order to provide proper airflow and cool down the room. That’s a lot of effort to go through when you’re tired. With an AC unit, a press of a button can cool down the room more effectively and not require so much effort from you.

Con: Maintenance Costs

In addition to the increased electrical usage costs, air conditioning will require maintenance from time to time. That can be expensive as well, depending on the kind of unit you have and how often you have it cleaned. There’s some cleaning you can do yourself, like emptying out excess water and wiping down the filter, but then some cleaning will have to be done by a professional at least twice a year. Depending on where you live, you may need to have your AC unit serviced more often.

Pro: Keeps Insects Away

Most insects don’t like the powerful breeze of an AC unit. That intense cooling air isn’t very comfortable for them, and the high speed of the air pushes them out of the area. On top of that, using an AC unit to cool your home allows you to keep your home closed up and not let in nearly as many pests. Without a unit like this to cool down your home, you may have to often weigh the advantages and disadvantages of opening windows and doors to allow in breeze or keeping them closed to keep the pests out.

Con: Mold and Bacteria

Air conditioning units can collect water inside them and cause condensation around them. This can create mold in your home, which can cause damage to some of your home’s building materials and can create unpleasant smells and health complications. If the filter in the air conditioning unit is not cleaned frequently, bacteria and mold can build up there, causing additional health problems.

Some AC units are going to have more issues with creating mold and bacteria than others. Depending on how your unit is run and maintained, the problem could become worse as well. This is the kind of issue you could stay on top of through regular maintenance, but even then it will always be something that may require additional cleaning from you- not just for the AC unit but for the rest of the home as well. You may feel compelled to hire a residential cleaning service nyc to help keep your home sanitary and free of mold, especially if you install multiple AC units in your home, all creating mold and bacteria. You could end up with a much cooler house but also a lot of extra housework to do.

Pro: Lower Electronic Repair Costs

Do you know what kind of environment is best for electronics, like laptops, personal computers, and televisions? It’s a cool, dry home, which AC units do an excellent job of providing. By lowering the overall temperature of your home, an air conditioning unit can protect your electronics and lower your maintenance and repair costs. You may not have to have your electronics fixed as often, and they can last longer and work better. Keeping windows and doors closed while running the AC unit can help keep out humid weather, ensuring that your electronic components stay dry and protected.

How well your air conditioning unit preserves electronics will depend on how you run the unit and how your house is set up, but there’s a definite benefit here you should be aware of.

Closing Thoughts

Installing an air conditioning unit may or may not be right for your home. It’s important to consider the different advantages and disadvantages, many of which most people won’t even realize until after they have installed an air conditioning unit and allowed it to run for some months. By knowing what you’re getting into upfront and how it might affect your home, your schedule, and your budget, you can be well prepared and make the best decision for yourself.

I hope this helps you in deciding whether to install an air conditioning unit in your home.

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