Understanding Your AC Unit: Does it Use Gas?

When installing a cooling system in your home, it is important that you know exactly how it works. This is for the purpose of fixing it if something goes wrong, and also for having basic knowledge of the unit, explains Eastern Air Conditioning Sutherland Shire (http://easternairconditioning.com.au). There are all different kinds of AC units, so how can you tell if yours is utilizing gas, electricity, or both?

This article will allow you to become more familiarized with your unit so you can determine what it takes to operate. Naturally, there are risks with using either electricity or gas, so it is best to become educated in order to prevent any house fires or gas leaks.

Do You Have to Buy a Gas-Powered AC Unit?

Most people opt for central cooling because it easily cools the entire home without having to deal with a bulky unit or ceiling fans. It works by simply adjusting a thermostat that is located on your wall to control the temperature. Then, the cold air comes through vents.

Central cooling is also known as an HVAC system, which includes heating as well. If you didn’t want to use gas, your cooling would still work. The cooling operates on electricity.

However, gas is used to operate the heat. If you didn’t want to use gas or did not have your gas line on, you would only be able to use half of your HVAC system.

If you are not considering an HVAC system for your home, there are other AC units that are smaller and sometimes portable. These normally run off of electricity and simply need to be plugged into the wall. A lot of these units fit into your window, taking air from the outside and converting it into the cold air that you feel.

While these are easier to install (you are usually able to do it yourself), they might not cover as much area as a central cooling system. The square footage of your house and the space you’d like to cool will matter a lot here.

What Are the Benefits of a Dual Unit?

If you are willing to make an investment in the cooling unit that goes into your home, saving up money to have an HVAC system installed is typically going to provide you with the most value for your dollar. By having a central air conditioning system, you will have the following advantages:

• You will also be able to heat your home, as long as you have a gas line set up. There are sensors that kick in to control the unit which will then switch from electricity to gas when needed.
• You can regulate the temperature of your home quickly. Whether you need to turn on the heating after the AC has just been on, or even if you want to cool the house by 5-degrees, your HVAC system will allow you to do this effortlessly.
• HVAC systems are constantly being updated, providing you with the most advanced technology available. There are many innovations that are currently being developed for central cooling and heating systems.
• It is an eco-friendly approach to cooling your home. Instead of blasting a window AC unit or a portable AC unit for hours at a time, having an HVAC system will allow the cooling to stay on until your home reaches your desired temperature. This makes it easy for you to reach precise temperatures without running up your electricity bill.

Price Points

Cost to install central cooling system: $660-$4,600

Ductwork: $4,000

Ductwork repair: $1,000-$3,000

When you have an HVAC system installed in your home, you are likely going to need ductwork done. This is why the cost can vary so greatly. If there is no existing ductwork, you will need to pay for contractors to install it from scratch.

If your home has existing ductwork, the cost can go down slightly depending on the work that must be done on any repairs to it. You must also consider the type of unit that you select; there are many different models that also vary in price.

Cost to install window AC unit: $234-$550

Cost to install a large window AC unit: $280-$700

While this option is considerably cheaper and does not use gas, keep in mind that the space it will cool is going to be a lot smaller than an HVAC system.

Most window AC units can effectively cool 200 sq. ft. of space by using 8,000 BTUs (British Thermal Unit). If the space you’d like to cool is over 200 sq. ft, then you are likely going to need an AC unit that contains up to 14,000 BTUs.

There is a vast difference in the pricing of each option, but depending on where you are financially and how much of your home you’d like to cool, you can see which one will work best for you.

Some people like to get a small window unit, temporarily, while they save up the money to get an HVAC system installed.