It is pretty easy to stick with what you know in terms of air conditioning systems. However, if it is time to replace yours, you may want to consider every option available. This can include both gas- and electric-powered air conditioners.
Each of these systems has numerous benefits and a few drawbacks, but it is worth weighing all options. We’re going to take a deeper look at what to consider when deciding between a gas air conditioner or an electric one.
Ductwork Won’t be The Deciding Factor
Your home’s ductwork is responsible for circulating cooled air through your home. With this said, it is not particular to one type of system or another.
You can easily use a gas-powered air conditioner or an electric-powered AC on existing ductwork--just be sure to have it inspected to be sure there are no leaks!
One thing you should note is that there are numerous options when it comes to electric ACs. Some of these options do not require ductwork at all which make them some of the most efficient systems on the market.
Choosing Efficiency
If you choose your AC based on efficiency alone, you’ll be glad to know that with newer models, you can’t really go wrong.
However, this doesn’t mean that certain systems won’t work more efficiently in various homes. Gas-powered air conditioners are known to cool large homes with open spaces quite well whereas electric units work great for smaller houses or in sectioned off areas.
As mentioned, electric-powered air conditioners have many options, including some that do not require ductwork. These are excellent options for homes that have multiple rooms and poor air circulation.
Upfront Costs
If you are making your choice based on the upfront costs and potential maintenance, gas-powered ACs are definitely more expensive upfront.
Other than this fact, it comes down to whether you want to spend a lot of money at once or less money but more often.
Gas air conditioners tend to not need as many repairs as electric-powered ones, but the repairs that are required for gas systems are expensive.
Electric-powered ACs tend to need repairs more frequently but they cost less individually. This is because fewer companies work on gas-powered ACs than electric ones. The last thing to keep in mind when considering upfront costs and the cost of repairs and maintenance is the fact that gas-powered systems last longer.
The Cost of Energy
Your energy bill is largely dependent on how you choose to operate your air conditioner. If you choose to purchase a gas unit, the bill will also be reflective of the cost of gas.
Typically, your geographic location will also affect your bill--areas that have hot summers and mild winters will see high bills in the summer and low ones in the winter.
The opposite is almost always true for those areas that have comfortable summers and harsh winters. The only way you can truly decide which type of air conditioning system is best for your home is by doing the research. If you are still unsure as to which system you need, give Boutwell’s Air Masters a call.
We can visit your home to see what unit can be the most efficient, walk you through the purchase of whichever AC you choose, and then install it for you. If you’ve enjoyed learning about the difference in electric-powered and gas-powered air conditioners, take a minute to share this article with your friends!
