Window air conditioning units in Tomball are not uncommon, especially in apartments, condos, townhouses, and small homes. Window ACs provide zoned cooling and comfort to interior living spaces. However, homeowners associations (HOAs) are prevalent in many communities and often disparage or forbid visible-from-the-street window air conditioners because they are unattractive and can lower property value. But there are other important reasons why you may want your next home improvement project to be switching from window air conditioning to whole-house cooling.
9 Reasons To Upgrade From Window to Central AC
Property owners today are smart and proactive; they want to understand how home plumbing, air circulation, and electricity work together and separately. Homeowners also care about energy efficiency, healthier indoor comfort, and saving money. Window air conditioners have obvious advantages. They are low-cost upfront and have the same lifespan as more expensive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
If you have one or more mounted window air conditioners, here are 9 reasons why upgrading from window to central AC makes sense:
Comfort – An indoor humidity level below 60% is considered ideal but maintaining that level of comfort is difficult with window ACs.
Curb appeal – HOAs notwithstanding, an air conditioning unit mounted on a home’s exterior wall is unattractive and each unit blocks half a window. They detract from your home’s architectural design and landscaping. You can hide a window air conditioner in a backyard window, but you limit your range of cool air circulation. A central air’s outside unit is usually positioned discreetly away from the street view or hidden by shrubbery.
Dependability – Window air conditioners have more moving parts than central air units. More moving parts mean more can go wrong. If Northwest Harris County has drastic temperature fluctuations (a heavy freeze, for example) or severe storms, especially hail, window ACs are much more likely to suffer damages that require repair or replacement.
Energy efficiency – Window units cool one room, so you likely need multiple units. They also leak air, and that wastes energy. Central ACs distribute cool air consistently throughout the home using a ductwork system. Even while cooling an entire house, one central AC system uses less energy and saves more money every month on your electric bill.
Healthier – Window air conditioning units recirculate the same air. Central ACs circulate air using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems that reduce airborne bacteria, dust, pet dander, and pollen. This improves indoor air quality (IAQ) and is healthier for family members with medical issues or allergies. Mold and dirt can accumulate on various parts of window ACs, so the unit must not only work harder to compensate but indoor air may also be contaminated.
Money savings – Long-term savings offset central air’s higher upfront cost. Installing central air can also increase your property value as much as 7% and has a return on investment (ROI) of approximately 30%. In addition to financing options, a new energy-saving home improvement system qualifies for federal tax credits through 2032.
Property value – Window air conditioners not only leak air, but they also leak water. These small leaks can drip onto your flooring or can damage walls. Upgrading from window air conditioning to central can increase your home’s value by as much as 7%. If selling, many homebuyers won’t consider a property that does not have central AC.
Quieter – Central air’s condenser and compressor aren’t all that noisy, but they’re located in an outside unit, away from living spaces anyway. Operational noise from window ACs can’t be ignored.
Versatility – Central air also cools other important areas of your home that require temperature control: art supplies closet, medicine storage, and food pantry, for example. Later, you may want to convert your central AC to an even more energy-efficient cooling system. A heat pump or adding solar energy for power can integrate with your home’s central air system.
Ask Country Air: Tomball Air Conditioner Home Improvement Upgrades
Traditionally, the best time to upgrade window AC units to a central air conditioning system is early fall or spring. This is considered the industry’s off-season; local HVAC contractors may have more time available. Some manufacturers offer timely discounts and rebates during fall and spring. For example, Trane’s Fall 2024 promotion includes new HVAC purchase rebates up to $650 through November 15, 2024.
Ask us about replacing your window air conditioners with a whole-house cooling system. Country Air can repair, replace, or install any make or model cooling system, so anytime is a good time for this money-saving, energy-efficient home improvement.
FYI
Two of the frequently asked questions we receive about air conditioner replacements are:
If you don’t want to upgrade to central AC, it’s often more cost-efficient to replace, not repair a window air conditioner. In Texas, air conditioning repair technicians must be licensed or working under a licensed contractor. It will be challenging finding an HVAC professional willing to work on a window air conditioner.
Between 1-5 days is average for a new central AC installation. Replacing an older central air conditioning system or doing ductwork repairs takes longer, for example. There are several variables, and we can make a better turnaround-time estimate when you’re ready.
