It’s easy to stay cool indoors during warm weather if you have the right equipment. Ace Hardware carries a range of air conditioning units from top-rated brands, both in-store and online. No matter how hot it is outside, you won’t break a sweat indoors with a portable or wall AC unit from Ace.
Wall Air Conditioning Systems
Also known as mini splits, these AC units are relatively quiet, utilize space vertically and can be more energy-efficient than portable units. However, mini split AC units are heavier and not as easy to install, move and store.
Portable AC Units
Portable air conditioners are lightweight and easily portable, compact in storage, and simple to install. They allow you to move the unit from room to room for greater versatility with little strain. Window AC units are also portable, letting you mount them in specific rooms when warmer weather arrives and put them in storage once it is time to winter proof your windows.
What Is an Evaporative Cooler?
An evaporative cooler, or swamp cooler, harnesses the natural process of evaporation to remove heat from your home. These units generally use less energy than other types of indoor air coolers, but they tend to be less effective in humid climates. If you live in a hot, dry climate, an evaporative cooler may be the perfect solution for you.
Central Air Conditioning System
Central AC, or a central ducted system, pushes conditioned air throughout your home to provide uniform temperatures through every room. Many central air systems can also include a heating function, making yearlong comfortable temperatures a reality.
How to Choose the Right Air Conditioner for Your Home
The most important thing you need to know when you’re choosing an evaporative cooler, mini split or portable air conditioning unit is the size of the room you want to cool. Once you know the square footage, you can determine the number of BTUs, or British thermal units, you’ll need. BTUs are a measure of the amount of energy an air conditioning unit requires to cool your room.
The BTU range for residential air conditioning is between 5,000 BTUs for a small room and up to 32,000 BTUs for a small house. The BTUs will be stated on the packaging, along with how many square feet the unit will cool.
Other air conditioner features to consider include:
- Wi-Fi compatibility and remote-control operation for greater convenience.
- Energy saver mode to conserve energy in down times.
- Self-diagnosis alerts so you know when something needs fixing.
- Washable window AC filters for easier maintenance.
How to Maintain Your Indoor Air Conditioning System
At Ace, you’ll find a selection of AC parts and accessories to help you keep your cooling unit clean and operating efficiently all season long. Head to Ace for everything from weather stripping, AC fin tools, and covers for a window unit to replacement capacitors and mounting brackets for indoor air conditioners.
Air Conditioner Energy Saving Tips
You can follow these tips to reduce the cooling load on your AC unit for a lower energy bill while maintaining cool temperatures:
- Use a house fan or portable fan when you’re in a room to keep cool air circulating.
- Close the shades when the sun is hitting your windows to reduce heating.
- Keep the area you’re cooling closed off from larger areas to keep it more comfortable.
Shop Window and Portable Air Conditioners Near You
Stay cool during the next heat wave with our selection of AC units from brands like Mr. Cool, Dial and Perfect Aire. Ace makes it easy to find, buy and install the right air conditioning system for your home. For more advice on heating and cooling solutions for your home, stop by your local Ace and talk to one of our helpful associates today.
