When purchasing a new air conditioner system or updating your current one, there are a number of options to consider. Air conditioners range from simple box room air conditioners to central air conditioners and all types in between. Your home needs and your budget will determine the type you choose. Here is a look at your choices for home air conditioning.

Window-mounted - These air conditioners are designed to fit in a standard window. Most are made for double-hung windows but some will fit casement windows. Most include a mounting kit, with sill brackets and side vents to provide an airtight fit. Multiple units can be installed and placed in different rooms. At the end of the season, they are easily removed and stored. The downside to window-mounted units is that you give up the window view.

Free-standing Portable units - Portable room air conditioners range in size and power. Most have wheels, and can be easily moved from place to place. They must be connected to a place like a window to vent the hot air. These types of air conditioners can cost more then window-mounted air conditioners.

Through-the-wall - Like the window-mounted units, a through-the-wall air conditioning unit is generally used to cool a single room. However, the unit is permanently mounted through an exterior wall. This type of unit keeps windows from being blocked, and they do not need to be removed and stored during cooler weather. However, a through-the-wall unit may not easy to install in a pre-existing home. The unit is also difficult to hide during the colder months, and it must be sealed off to keep cold air from entering the house.

Mini-split - This is a mix between a window air conditioner and a split system. A compressor unit is mounted outside the house while a fan unit is wall-mounted inside. They are designed to cool individual rooms. The indoor part of the system can be mounted almost anywhere. Because the compressor is outside, they are very quiet. However, they are more expensive than room air conditioners.

Mini-duct - A mini-duct unit is a specially-designed system for areas where conventional duct work is not feasible. This unit forces air through plastic feeder ducts that are only a few inches in diameter. While expensive, these units work well for very old homes where duct work does not already exist. This minimizes the amount of renovation work needed for installation. They are also very quiet and only use about half the air of a conventional system.

Central Air Conditioners - Central air conditioners are more efficient than room air conditioners, and they are quiet and convenient to operate. There are two types of central air systems: the single-package unit and the split-system unit.

The single-package unit puts evaporator coil, compressor, condenser coil, blower motor in one cabinet box outside of the house. Each room in the house receives the conditioned air via a duct system.

A split-system unit has two parts, with an air handler inside, and a condensing unit outside. Copper lines connects the condenser and the evaporator. Each room in the house gets cold air via a duct system more economical sense to install if your home already has a heating system but no air conditioner. This system can be more expensive and difficult to install than a single package unit.