{"id":3208,"date":"2018-06-04T13:38:52","date_gmt":"2018-06-04T20:38:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dolly.com\/blog\/?p=3208"},"modified":"2026-04-28T07:53:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T14:53:20","slug":"choosing-best-air-conditioner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.taskrabbit.com\/blog\/choosing-best-air-conditioner\/","title":{"rendered":"Stay Cool: Your Guide to Choosing the Best Air Conditioner"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, there are a few things you can count on: cravings for popsicles, the smell of barbecues flooding your neighborhood, and sweltering heat that makes staying inside unbearable. So you can count on yourself to break: you’ll stock your freezer with popsicles, accept invitations to every barbecue on the block, and at some point, you’ll buy an air conditioner.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In theory, any kind of air conditioner is fine. They all do the same thing, right? Well, not really.\u00a0<\/span>Knowing the kind of air conditioner you need means you need to think about your space, your budget, and possibly even your lease requirements. So before you hit the store in a sweaty rage and dedicate your paycheck to an air conditioner that won\u2019t work for you, here are a few questions to ask yourself about air conditioning:<\/span><\/p>\n

First Things First: Does Central Air Conditioning Make Sense for You?<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you find your home too hot to bear more often in the summer than not, you may want to consider installing central air conditioning. While it is expensive – often starting at $5,000 just to buy and install the central air conditioning units – it may save you money down the line in terms of efficiency, especially if you\u2019re in a larger space that would require several portable or window air conditioners. It’s also a near-necessity if you live in a particularly warm area, like a sunny city or somewhere in the American south.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, if you live in a small space, central air conditioning usually isn’t the right fit. The initial setup and equipment cost is far larger than what you\u2019ll pay over the years for multiple air conditioner units for your home, and while it may seem enticing to have something that\u2019s easier, there are also repair and energy costs to consider. But if your heart is sold on having central air conditioning, get a quote from a professional before committing – that alone might convince you that smaller units are the way to go.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Other Factors Will Influence the Room Temperature?<\/b><\/h2>\n

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Source: Consumer Reports<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

When choosing the best air conditioner, it\u2019s important to think about cooling your space as a multi-step project rather than a one-step fix. The first part of this is deciding exactly what you\u2019re cooling: just one bedroom, or an open-concept living, dining, and kitchen area? Larger areas will require air conditioners with more output, and may benefit from an additional fan to assist with circulation. In some particularly large spaces, it might make more sense to buy two or more smaller window or portable air conditioners to ensure the entire space is cooled equally, not just one section.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, you\u2019ll need to consider a few more factors about the room\u2019s average temperature: is it upstairs or downstairs? Does it get lots of direct sunlight? Are the curtains usually left open? How many people are usually in the room at one time? These will help you determine where your air conditioner units should go, and what level of output you\u2019ll need from them.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Much Will Energy Efficiency Affect the Total Cost?<\/b><\/h2>\n

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In some places, it is easy being green – mostly because electricity is expensive. While energy efficient air conditioners may seem more expensive upfront, they\u2019re often less expensive in the long run, especially if your city has expensive electric rates. If you\u2019re new to town, or just <\/span>moved to your new city alone<\/span><\/a>, it\u2019s worth asking around to hear about the local opinions on air conditioning. Take Seattle, Washington, for example: it\u2019s one of the least air conditioned cities in the country despite its warm summers, in large part due to high electric costs. If electric costs are a concern for you, it\u2019s worth it to opt for an energy-efficient air conditioner.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Kind of AC is Best? Portable vs. Window Air Conditioners<\/b><\/h2>\n

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While both portable and window air conditioners are <\/span>technically<\/span><\/i> mobile, that\u2019s about all the similarity these two air conditioners share. There are some key differences to consider when deciding between portable versus window air conditioners: <\/span><\/p>\n