If you are spending hot days at locations like the Raupp Museum or Buffalo Grove Town Center because your home is hot and uncomfortable this summer, it may be time to make some changes. Choosing an air conditioning system can seem overwhelming and frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be.
At Ravinia Plumbing, we make it our objective to help you choose the right type of air conditioning system for your home, based on the type of home you have, your budget, and the value each system can bring to you. We offer installation services for most types of air conditioners, and we do that with reliability.
Types of Air Conditioning Systems for Your Buffalo Grove Home
Serving all of Lake County and Cook County, Ravinia Plumbing is a go-to solution for hands-on support when you need to replace or install a new air conditioner. We can provide you with an on-site quote and offer comparison options for various systems in your home. To help you get started, consider the various types of systems available and how they can help you meet your goals when choosing an air conditioning system.
Central Air Conditioning Systems
- Pros: Whole-home comfort that’s even and comfortable, good energy efficiency, and added value to your home if you sell later.
- Cons: Higher upfront costs, especially if you need to install ductwork first, and fewer efficiency options over some systems.
- Best for: Whole-home cooling, especially for larger homes.
Central air conditioners are one of the most common cooling systems we provide air conditioning installation services for. These systems offer whole-home cooling using ductwork throughout your home to move cooled air from the condenser.
They tend to be the gold standard in air conditioning because they have a long lifespan and tend to be very reliable overall. Most of the newer homes near the Buffalo Grove Town Center feature central air.
Heat Pumps
- Pros: Very efficient systems, and they provide you with both heating and cooling in a single system.
- Cons: Higher upfront costs because they are more complex to install, and they may not be ideal in very cold conditions (for heating your home).
- Best for: Whole-home comfort seekers who want to protect the environment.
When choosing an air conditioning system, a heat pump can be a very valuable investment. In Buffalo Grove, they are becoming more common as property owners seek a more efficient way of heating and cooling their homes that’s also good for the environment.
These systems move heat outside the home to cool it, and draw heat from outdoors to heat it over the winter months. They do rely on electricity to operate, but you’ll likely see a considerable drop in your energy bills by making this switch.
Ductless Mini Splits
- Pros: Highly efficient with the option of zoned temperature control makes them desirable, and they do not require the use of ductwork, making them beneficial for older homes.
- Cons: Higher upfront installation if you are trying to cool the entire home, visible indoor wall units that some homeowners do not like.
- Best for: Specific areas that need additional support, especially in home additions.
Ductless mini split systems are highly energy-efficient systems that can significantly cool your home. They don’t use ductwork, which may be beneficial for some of the older homes along Lake Cook Road. If you’ve added on to your home, such as with a home addition, or you want to cool areas like the garage, these systems work well.
They are also best for zoned control, meaning you want one area of the home to be cooler or at a different temperature than others. Ductless mini split installation is beneficial for those homes that want good energy efficiency and overall reliability.
Packaged Systems
- Pros: All heating and cooling is in a single system that’s easier to maintain, and a system that’s easier to install overall.
- Cons: Less energy efficient than other models, these systems can also be louder to operate.
- Best for: Those with limited space who want more versatility from a cooling system.
If you are looking for a single solution for your home that’s going to also update your home’s heating, a packaged system can work well. These systems include all of your heating and cooling into a single system. Typically, they are a single cabinet that’s installed outdoors of your home or on the roof, freeing up interior space.
This type of system is less expensive to install than separate heating and cooling units, and can be put in place quickly. The biggest drawback is that they are not the most efficient system. Choosing an air conditioning system when you also need heating makes a packaged system an attractive option.
Considerations for the Replacement of Your AC
Many of the homes throughout the village, from Didier Park to Willow Stream Park, already have air conditioning installed. In these situations, you have to think about the most logical and beneficial air conditioning replacement solution. When choosing an air conditioning system that replaces your old system, think about the following:
- Is there ductwork installed? If so, the fastest and easiest solution is to replace your current system with another ducted air conditioner, such as a central air conditioner. On the other hand, if your home doesn’t have ductwork, the installation costs can be high, making ductless mini splits more attractive overall.
- Do you want to be eco-friendly? There are always benefits to choosing energy-efficient options, and each one of these types of air conditioners offers a range of efficiency to choose from. Look at the SEER2 and ENERGY STAR ratings for the best consideration for energy efficiency.
Get Help Making the Right Choice
You don’t have to make all of these decisions on your own. Instead of choosing an air conditioning system on your own, give us a call. Let our team at Ravinia Plumbing provide you with clarity on the types of AC best suited for your home, budget, and long-term efficiency goals. Contact us now.