No two homes are alike, which means that no two air conditioning systems are exactly the same either. While central heating and cooling may be one of the most dominant forms of HVAC systems, there's no doubt that certain other scenarios require other types of ACs to be installed instead.
Below are three ways that you might not have thought of to cool your home that are different than the normal central air systems. If you are interested in any of these alternative AC options, contact a local HVAC company to talk about scheduling an AC installation service.
Geothermal
Using the energy of the earth to cool your home is nothing new, but geothermal technology has advanced quite a bit in recent years, to the point where today's systems not only cool your home but can also heat your home as well. Installing a geothermal system eliminates the need for an air conditioner and a furnace, and can also provide massive energy savings in the process. The air is cooled or heated as it passes through a series of pipes that are implanted inside the ground, so the only energy that is needed is that which runs the motor to blow the air then throughout the house. It requires a significant upfront investment, but with a life expectancy of over 30 years, it will pay for itself over time.
Ductless Mini-Split
At the opposite end of the spectrum from a geothermal system is a ductless mini-split. These tiny units are integrated into the current system and can provide an excellent way to cool down an extension on your home without the need to lay additional ductwork and air vents. You can also use this system addition to cool an isolated structure, such as a shed. By mounting it on an exterior wall, it'll convert the hot air that is outside into cold air inside through a series of pipes that go directly through the wall, reducing the footprint and energy usage in the process. If this suits your needs, talk to an HVAC specialist about the possibility of a ductless mini-split installation in your home.
Dual Stage
While this isn't technically a different type of cooling system, it is a relatively new technology that's available in more recent models. Most air conditioners have one of two options — on or off — but dual stage motors have a lower setting that will cool your home sufficiently in milder temperatures while having a second level that can kick on when the temperatures begin to skyrocket. This system operates at a much lower speed to save a significant amount of energy, lowering your energy bills in the process.
