They’ve been common in warm parts of the U.S. And come colder weather, they’re the most energy-efficient system for home heating. In cooling mode, they work exactly like air conditioners. Heat pumps can provide both heating and cooling. You can also consider an air-source heat pump in place of an AC-only system. While not technically central air, they’re much quieter and more efficient than window ACs or portable ACs, and can be an easier, more affordable option to install than a true central air system. Professional installation is recommended. Each air handler cools the room in which it’s installed, and you set the temperature with a remote control. The conduit is run through about a 3-inch hole hidden behind each air handler. The indoor and outdoor sections are connected by a thin conduit that houses the power cable, refrigerant tubing, and a condensate drain. Split ductless systems have an outside condenser and compressor, and one to four or more indoor blower units, called air handlers, mounted high on the wall, that distribute air. A thermostat maintains the temperature at the setting you select. The refrigerant cools the air, dehumidifying it in the process a blower circulates air through ducts throughout the house. In a “split system,” the most common design, refrigerant circulates between an indoor coil and a matching-meaning from the same brand-outdoor condenser with compressor (see the illustration below). It’s not practical for Consumer Reports to test them because there are so many variables, including a home’s size and design, how the system is installed, and the construction of the ductwork.Ī true central air conditioning system uses ducts to distribute cooled air throughout the house. We don’t have performance ratings for central air conditioning systems.
Based on what we’ve found in our survey, we predict that about 25 percent of central AC systems will encounter problems in the first eight years of ownership, so it can pay to pick a brand that’s more reliable. (Through our survey, we also learned which brands owners tend to be most satisfied with, the costs of repairs, and which parts break most often.) We’ll also share some tips on how to find a good heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) technician to do the work.Ĭonsumer Reports members can see our ratings for the most reliable ducted AC brands, based on survey data we’ve collected on more than 18,000 AC units in real-world use, bought and installed between 20. In this guide, we’ll help you choose the right AC system for your home-and then maintain it, so you can get the unit’s longest life and the best performance possible. It can be a huge expense, so you’ll want to get it right. Early spring is a good time to think about replacing your central air conditioner-or installing a whole new system.
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