The Best Home Cooling Options: Types of Cooling Systems

With Tri-Cities summer temperatures hovering at nearly 90 degrees on average and with enough humidity to make it almost impossible to stay outside for long, you need to have home cooling options that are powerful, dependable, and ready to go! But what if your air conditioner recently went kaput, or your current cooling solution just isn't effective enough to keep you cooled off during the day?

In those cases, it’s time to look into replacements. Today, let’s break down seven different cooling options for homes that you can count on.

Types of cooling systems for homes

There are several cooling systems made for homes that you can install or set up throughout your home. While each can contribute to cooler indoor temperatures, some are more effective, more affordable, or more suitable for different needs.

Central AC

Central air conditioning systems use a thoughtfully laid-out duct network and a compressor to cool your entire house. Vents positioned in the ceilings distribute cool air to each room individually, making central AC a highly effective way to keep your house cool no matter how high the temperatures climb outside.

Ductless mini-split cooling systems

Ductless mini-split cooling systems are somewhat similar to central AC, but they use an outdoor condenser and compressor unit alongside several indoor air handling units to get the job done. Compared to other systems, ductless systems are a great cooling option for specific rooms in the home since they don't rely on ductwork. Given this fact, they aren't as difficult to install from scratch if your home doesn't already have ducts set up.

Window air conditioners

Window AC units are even more localized. True to their name, they’re set in windows or wall openings and cool individual rooms while decreasing humidity. Window AC units are affordable and self-contained, so you can easily purchase and install a window AC unit into a room that’s warmer or more humid than the rest of your house. However, window air conditioners aren't as powerful as whole home cooling systems.

Swamp coolers

Evaporative or “swamp” coolers use a fan and water to cool the air in a local area. They’re highly effective in dry climates since they increase humidity, but they aren't as useful as a home cooling system in humid areas like the Tri-Cities. Because of this, swamp coolers likely aren’t the best bet for your home.

Heat pumps

Heat pumps cool the area around them by reversing the thermodynamic process. By extracting heat from the air indoors and then releasing the heat outside, they also lower temperatures throughout the interior of your home. This is a highly efficient process, though it's not very quick, and heat pumps aren't the best choice for cooling an entire home at once.

House fans

Good old-fashioned house fans can do wonders to keep your home cool in the summer. Placing a few small fans on dressers or shelves and combining them with ceiling fans might be enough to cool off your house all day, especially if you allow them to run consistently. For the best results, set your ceiling fan blades to spin counterclockwise – that will push air downward and create a cooling breeze you’ll immediately appreciate.

Natural ventilation

Depending on the orientation and position of your Tri-Cities home, natural ventilation might be a viable (and 100% free) cooling solution. Open a window on one side of the house, then another on the other side to create a cross breeze that consistently cools your home. Plus, you can enjoy fresh air without feeling like you’re baking inside. 

Don’t have windows that open in the right places? You can always replace current windows with energy-efficient sliding windows. Not only will these windows give you more flexibility with fresh air, but they'll also serve you well in the winter by keeping the air warm inside. 

Choosing the right home cooling options

Now that you know all the different ways you can keep your house cool this summer, it's time to find out which is the best cooling system for your home. It’s a wise idea to compare different cooling systems for homes in three distinct ways.

1. Consider heating and cooling costs

Different home cooling systems have different upfront and consistent costs. For instance, installing a central air conditioning system if your home doesn't already have one could cost anywhere between $4,000 and $8,000. Then you’ll have to keep your ongoing utility bill in mind; the more you run your central AC system, the more you'll pay in electrical fees.

Other average costs for home cooling systems include:

• Ductless mini-split AC – $2,000 to $14,500
• Window AC units – $150 to $550
• Swamp cooler – $1,200 to $3,600
• Heat pump – $4,200 to $7,600
• House fans – $0 to $300
• Open windows – $0

If you’re looking to bring temperatures down inside your home without paying quite so much money, one of the more cost-effective cooling system options is likely a better bet. You can also reduce air conditioning costs by relying on those “low tech” options more often – for example, running your fans or opening a few windows in the evening to let your home cool down gradually instead of keeping your AC system humming 24/7.

2. Decide where you want cool air

Certain cooling systems are more powerful compared to their alternatives. Cooling down your entire house at once demands a larger, more efficient system, like a central AC system or a collection of window AC units.

On the other hand, if you just want to keep your bedroom or living room cooler, a single large ceiling fan or window AC unit could be enough.

3. Think about ease of installation

Installing window AC units, setting up small fans, and opening your windows are all much easier than installing a brand-new AC system throughout your house. Keep this in mind as you choose a cooling option for your home. For larger projects, you'll need to hire knowledgeable contractors to tackle the project (and do so in a timely fashion).

Get better home ventilation with Window World

Energy-efficient, sliding windows give you the option to open your home up for a cross breeze, plus make it easier to keep your home cool and comfortable all summer long. With that in mind, installing new windows might be the best way to beat the heat, especially in combination with your current air conditioning system.

At Window World of the Tri-Cities, we can help you find the ideal windows for your home, install them at a date that's perfect for your schedule, and even suggest other home-cooling improvements, like replacing a drafty door with a new one. Request a quote today, or stop by in person to learn more!