Just twenty years ago, buying air conditioners involved selecting whatever was available from your local HVAC dealer. In 2021 however, consumers have a far greater selection and price range to choose from, not to mention the number of HVAC vendors, both online-based and brick and mortar companies, the latter which may also provide HVAC repair and maintenance services locally. Consequently, choosing one can be difficult because air conditioners can vary in size, cooling capability, and installation requirements. Moreover, some can also heat or dehumidify your home.
When it comes to air conditioning your home and identifying the best air conditioner for your needs, you have to match some basic HVAC features to your home and determine if the air conditioner has the required BTU power for your home’s overall square footage. Once you have these basics in mind, you should then consider the many features that the unit comes with and see if they are luxurious or functional enough for your family.
1. SereneLife SLPAC Portable Air Conditioner
Of all the air conditioners designed for small homes, this one by SereneLife offers 12,000 BTU of power, which is capable of cooling up to 550 square feet. To help your family save money, it has the ability to cool via just the fan, and the dehumidifying feature can help keep your home dry.
The best feature is that this is a portable unit, so it is all your home needs. For instance, during the day, you can position it in the living room, and when you are ready for bed, you can easily roll it into your room.
Top Features:
- Portable
- Comes with window kit for exhaust
- easy to clean with a damp rag
2. Emerson Quiet Kool EARC15RE1
For reliable air conditioning, this unit by Emerson offers a whopping 15,000 BTU of cooling power, which can take care of up to 700 square feet. Because of its high-volume cooling capability, it is perfect for one-bedroom or two-bedroom homes.
It can fit into an average window, and the remote control can be detected from across a large room. For comfort, it features fans that can be directed in up to eight directions.
Top Features:
- Great for large rooms
- Louvers pivot for targeted cooling
3. Goodman 2.5 Ton 13 SEER Multi Speed Central Air Conditioner
For smaller homes up to 1,500 square feet, this unit by Goodman will keep every room cool in even the hottest of summer days. It comes with a 10-year guarantee, so your investment comes with solid protection. It is a split system, which makes it perfect for homes that already have heat as split systems are more economical for heat-equipped homes.
Top Features:
- Cools small to medium-sized homes quickly and efficiently
- Mini-split system with lower average operating expense than a standard HVAC system
4. Koldfront WTC14001W Portable Package Heating and Cooling Unit
If you need more power but do not want to spend the money on a central unit, this unit offers 14,000 BTU of cooling power as well as a 10,600 BTU heater. As such, you can heat and cool mid-sized or even large rooms. Because it is a window unit, it works especially well with open-concept homes or studio homes. However, it can keep two or even three connected rooms cool.
The heater works well with small rooms, and for especially cold days, this unit’s extra boost of heat can help provided localized warmth with the flip of the louvres. For comfort, it can be set at temperatures that range from 62 degrees to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. The 230-volt plug will require a dedicated line on your breaker box.
Top Features:
- Utilizes R-410A refrigerant for environmental safety
- Heats and cools
- High temperature range for wide comfort zone
- Cools an entire open-concept home
If you’re in the market for a new HVAC system this year, there are certainly some enticing options available to fit a wide variety of budgets and needs. Do your homework and be sure to get a sales and installation quote from an established HVAC sales and service provider in your area and start enjoying improved comfort and lower bills today!