Window AC Vs Split AC: Which One You Should Buy?

The summer season has arrived and along with that arrived the continuous need for an air conditioner or what we popularly know as an AC.

With the strenuous heat outside and every person sweating like crazy due to the humidity, a little bit of cool air at the end of the day is always appreciated.

That is what ACs are for. Even if you do not own one, it is never too late to consider buying one. Not all ACs are ridiculously expensive.

There are many brands and types of ACs that will surely come under your budget.

Of course, when buying an electronic, especially something like an AC, which is very useful to us, especially in the summer season, one should consider a lot of factors.

But there is nothing to worry about.

Keep reading this article to find out about each and everything that you need to know about window ac and split ac before buying one for your home this summer…

Table of Content show

What is a Split AC?

A split AC or what is known as a split unit air conditioner is an air conditioning system consisting of two separate units which are the main parts of this system.

The two units are – the water or air-cooled condensing unit and the air handling unit. The compressor is located outside and an air outlet unit is inside.

The air handling unit or the air outlet unit is installed inside your room itself, whereas the condensing unit or what is known as the compressor is installed either in an engine room or other space or just outside your inside AC unit.

Insulated refrigerant lines are used to connect both units.

There are two components placed inside the condensing unit- the condenser and the compressor. Inside the evaporating unit, you will find the evaporator coil.

As ductless mini-split air conditioners rely on a set of pipes to connect the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, they are known as ductless mini-split ac installations.

They are not like the air conditioning systems that require a network of ducts throughout the ceiling. The refrigerant is diffused through the copper pipes that circulate through the system to generate warm or cool air.

Advantages of a Split AC

The installation process is really easy compared to other traditional air conditioning systems. First of all, there is no ductwork required. The connector that connects your indoor and outdoor units only requires a space that has a diameter of three inches more or less. After the connection is done, you will just need an electric connection and a location to place your units. Also, various lengths of refrigerant tubes are offered by various manufacturers, so you can place your indoor and outdoor units up to about a distance of 100 feet.
A split air conditioner offers greater energy efficiency. Central air conditioning systems, due to their abundant ductwork, and sometimes damaged ducts, see almost a 30 percent decrease in cooling efficiency. These duct problems cause energy efficiency. Split systems, with their completely ductless designs, do not cause this problem. Due to this, there is no decrease in energy efficiency and also no extra money is spent on utility bills.
A ductless indoor air conditioning unit can operate at 19 decibels. This is a whole lot quieter than a window unit. The ductless condenser also has a slimmer profile, making it easier for one to position them in different locations where noise could be a factor or there is a lack of space.
A split system air conditioner is more security-friendly than a window unit. Window units, with their large open hole in your windows or walls, offers an opportunity for intruders to break into your home.

Disadvantages of a Split AC

One of the major disadvantages of a split air conditioning system is probably its cost. Its initial cost without the installation charge is almost 30% more than a central air conditioning system. The price difference is due to the zoning properties and the very high SEER ratings.
Homeowners who install the AC systems by themselves face a few difficulties. Unit placement and tube runs, if mishandled, can lead to costly re-dos. Permits for outdoor units or roof installations may be required and manufacturer warranties are sometimes voided or limited when a non-licensed person installs the equipment.
Water buildup occurs from condensation on indoor cassettes. This can become an issue if a proper drainage system is not there. A separate tubing and drainage system might be required for this.

What is a Window AC?

A window air conditioner, sometimes also referred to as a room air conditioner, is the most basic form of an air conditioning system. This air conditioning unit is placed either on walls or as the name suggests, windows. All the units are located within a single casing and assembled accordingly.

The refrigeration unit of Window ACs consists of a double shaft fan motor with fans on both sides. The location of the motors is as follows- one at the evaporator side and the other at the condenser side.

The evaporator side is placed inside the room to cool the space and the condenser side is placed outdoors for rejection of heat. These two sides are separated but are placed within the same casing with the help of an insulated partition.

A window air conditioning unit is very convenient because it can be moved from window to window as needed and operates independently from a home HVAC system.

A window AC unit operates on the same principles as any other type of air conditioning system. Refrigeration properties are used by it to remove heat and humidity from a room while cooling air to circulate throughout the room.

The basic components of a window AC include a thermostat, a fan or blower, tubing filled with refrigerant, a compressor, an evaporator coil, and a condenser coil.

Advantages of a Window AC

The first major advantage of a window air conditioner is that it has a low cost compared to a split air conditioner or a central air conditioning system.
The majority of window air conditioners have a high energy efficiency rating. This means that compared to the energy required, it cools a room pretty well. The higher the energy efficiency rating (EER) of an air conditioner, the more energy you are going to save using it.
Coming to another benefit of a window air conditioner is that it is really easy to install. Yes, the installation process might vary depending on the model you buy, but it is easy all the same. It is a rather straightforward process and something that can be easily accomplished, even by those that don’t consider themselves to be handy.
Window ACs are designed to fit inside a window and hence, they do not take up much space.
Window ACs, being small in size, are kind of easily portable too.
Another perk of its size is that it can be installed anywhere including apartments, dorms, offices, and small business spaces.

Disadvantages of a Window AC

Window ACs are less security-friendly compared to split ACs. This is because it can be removed easily by intruders and the space could be used to invade your house or office or any personal space. It has a higher security risk if it is placed on the ground floor.
Windows need to be properly sized to fit a window AC, also an electrical outlet should be nearby. Sometimes, achieving both of these could be a bit of a challenge.
The water drainage system of window ACs can turn out to be a bit inconvenient.
Last but not the least, it does not add to the decor of your home as opposed to Split ACs. Also, the use of your window becomes immobilized.

What To Keep in Mind While Buying an AC

Window AC Vs Split AC: Which One You Should Buy? 1

The capacity- You should keep the tonnage of your AC in mind compared to your room size. For example, for a 140 sq. ft. room, a 1-ton AC will be sufficient, and so on.
Energy Efficiency- Electricity cost is rising and providing it every month is no joke. Hence, you should look for an AC which gives the best cooling while consuming less power.
Split or Window- You should keep in mind the pros and cons of a window and split AC as mentioned previously in this article then buy your AC of choice accordingly.
Air Quality- Your AC should have a good dehumidifier to reduce the humidity in your room. This will provide you with more comfort and better cooling.
Cooling Speed- Air-conditioners with adjustable thermostats, two fans, and variable speed will help you get different settings at different times of the day. This also ensures the consumption of less power.

Other than these factors, there are also factors like the size of your room, the color of the AC to match your wall color, and the price that needs to be considered, but those depend upon an individual.

FAQs

What should I look for in a split AC?

When buying a split air conditioner, you should notice the number of blue stars. The more blue stars mean the more energy efficient it is in terms of cooling. You should look for red stars in reverse cycle units. This denotes the heating efficiency.

What is the life of a split AC?

A split air conditioner, depending on the brand the stars, can last up to fifteen to twenty years.

Which is better: split AC or window AC?

Split ACs are designed for larger rooms and mounted high whereas window ACs are designed for the cooling of smaller rooms. Other than that, both ACs have their advantages and disadvantages. I have discussed these in detail previously in this article.

What is the best setting for window AC?

A window AC should not be set more or less than 75F to 78F. According to energy stars, that is the ideal temperature to set your window air conditioning system.

What should I look for in a window AC?

While buying a window air conditioner, you should look for an Energy Star label and an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of 10 or above. The higher your EER is, the lower will be your operating costs.

Conclusion

Split AC vs Window AC is a never-ending debate but it is fruitless to debate this. Both of them have their advantages and disadvantages and one should buy an air conditioner according to their requirements.

As I have mentioned previously in this article, there are certain factors that you need to look for while buying an AC.

If you keep those factors in mind, then it does not matter as much if it is a split AC or a window AC.

But yes, both have their disadvantages too, so considering everything, both the advantages and the disadvantages and the factors to keep in mind, it is totally up to an individual what type of AC they are going to buy.

It is totally up to their requirements and needs as to what kind of air conditioners they prefer for themselves.