Compared to window ACs, wall-mounted ductless units offer lower energy costs, longer equipment lifespans, a better investment into your home's value, quieter operation, and more effective comfort.
Con: Wall Air Conditioners Do Not Cool Your Whole Home
If your central air conditioner is on the blink or if your home simply does not have one, it is important to note that a wall air conditioner does not have the capacity or ability to cool your whole home.
Wall units typically are less common, but they have a few advantages over window AC units. They're much quieter. They don't take up any window space – meaning you can still enjoy the natural light and fresh air coming into your home. Wall AC units tend to be more energy-efficient than window units.
If you kept your air conditioner in good condition over its lifetime, expect to need a replacement in about 10-15 years. Keep in mind that as your A/C grows older, its mechanical parts can become unavailable or obsolete over time. If you aren't able to replace a broken part, you will need to purchase new unit.
Wall-mounted air conditioners are still used more widely than floor standing air conditioners because they work in spaces with many obstructions. One of the most frequent criticisms of floor air conditioning units is that obstacles and obstructions can easily compromise the airflow on the floor.
"It's more energy efficient to keep the unit on but turn the temperature setting up," she advises. Turning off the AC unit during the day is not necessarily a bad thing — it is a myth that the AC unit has to work extra-hard to cool off a hot house.
A medium-sized window or wall-mounted air conditioner consumes 900 watts per hour. Several factors can raise or lower those numbers. Unsurprisingly, the capacity of air conditioners is the most important factor of energy use. AC capacity is measured by experts using British thermal units.
You don't know the water's even there because you never see it. If you do have a wall AC unit leaking water inside, the most likely cause is that the drain on the appliance's condensate drip pan, or the drain line, has gotten clogged.
Cost. Through-the-wall air conditioners are relatively more expensive than window units. The setup and installation costs add up to a considerable amount. However, it should be kept in mind that these ACs are more efficient at cooling down your space and thus can make up for the initial high cost.
Yes, a wall-mounted AC unit must be installed through a wall to vent to the outside.
Energy savings: According to Energy Star, wall-mounted AC units can save up to 30% in cooling costs compared to window air conditioner units, meaning you'll save energy and money. Skip ductwork: Another benefit to wall cooling is saving the cost of adding ductwork, which can cost $6.50 to $20 per linear foot.
In general, wall and window air conditioning units with smaller capacities can typically run for up to eight hours at a time before they need to rest. Larger wall and window units have a longer running time of around 10 to 12 hours, depending on their cooling power.
Con: Increased risk of damage. Wobbly shelves or badly-installed brackets could potentially fail. This might break whatever's on them, damage flooring, and leave holes in plasterwork.
Common Signs of Mold in Your Air Conditioner
Be aware that the smell might be limited to a single room if you're using a window-mounted or wall-mounted AC. The scent can fully permeate your home if you have a central AC unit. The other sign to look out for is large mold patches around your AC unit.
The short answer is no, air conditioners are unable to produce carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide can only be emitted from fuel-burning devices. AC units run on electricity, so there's no possible way for them to produce carbon monoxide. This doesn't mean your home is completely safe from carbon monoxide leaks.
Freon leaks are often found in the evaporator coil. The weakest areas are generally where the metal is stressed the most, the “U” joint, weld points and areas that are subject to the most vibration. Other places include the schrader valve. The same type of valve you would find on your tire to fill it with air.
Though wall units may seem cheaper, if you need more than one to stay comfortable in the summer heat, the more cost-effective solution is central air conditioning.
A 220-volt supply can transmit the power more cheaply because a smaller current is needed, and so you can use thinner cables and/or lose less energy through heat generated in the cables.
Turning Your Air Conditioner On & Off vs.
Since air conditioners use more energy when they cycle all day, it is cheaper to let your system operate at full capacity when you're home instead of running it at a lower capacity all day. The more energy you use, the more money you'll pay in monthly utility bills.
A wall-mounted ductless air conditioner also referred to as a mini split system or ductless mini split system is an easy, convenient and efficient way to gain refrigerated air without the expense or hassle of adding ductwork to a home or business looking for air conditioning.
However, because you need to cut a hole in your exterior wall, installing a through-the-wall AC unit isn't suited for a casual DIYer. A project of this magnitude could take up to 12 hours to complete, depending on the size of the unit.
Installation Timeline
Generally speaking, the average installation will take anywhere from four to eight hours, which means the process of removing the old unit and being able to turn on the new one should be finished within a day.