Most people think that all air conditioners are the same. In theory, a cooling system removes hot air from inside your home, chills it through a cooling process, and returns it to your rooms. With two unique styles of AC units that can maximize your indoor comfort, you will need to decide which model is best for your needs. Read on to learn more about the pros and cons to a rooftop and side yard unit and compare the benefits of each.
Advantages of a Rooftop Air Conditioner
Rooftop AC units are some of the most popular in stores today and are more efficient overall than the “side yard” versions. As the name suggests, these units are attached to your roof and connect to the interior of your home via a series of ducts. This connection allows it to function just like any other AC.
There are a couple of advantages of roof positioning. First, hot air naturally tends to rise. The warm air is going to naturally flow back up to the air conditioning unit and then sink back down when it is cool. As a result, your unit will use less energy to operate these types of systems. Many people choose rooftop units because they are extremely energy-efficient. An AC that is not positioned on the rooftop will be sucking in both warm and cool air.
Rooftop units are also advantageous from a physical standpoint. It does not take up any extra room on your property, allowing you to enjoy every square inch of your backyard or patio. Moreover, all the components of the AC are located in one central location. The outdoor components are on top of your roof, and the indoor components are located right there on the interior side. This allows for extremely easy maintenance and repairs. There’s no need to travel back and forth and spend precious minutes trying to figure out the source of the issue.
Modern rooftop systems are more compact and smaller than older units as well. As technology continues to improve, you can increase your energy efficiency. Some of the leading manufacturers of these systems have listened to customers and made their models more attractive. With these stylish systems, you can add a cooling system to your roof without the worry of diminishing your home equity.
Disadvantages of a Rooftop Air Conditioner
Some people consider a rooftop AC unit to be a bit of an eyesore. However, new rooftop air conditioners are less conspicuous than ever. They are harder to maintain since you or professional technicians need to climb onto the roof. Additionally, they’re more expensive to install.
Advantages of a Side-Yard System
Some homeowners opt for a side-yard AC unit because there are many more side-yard models than rooftop models, so there are simply more options to choose from.
Despite being bulky and slightly less efficient, the side-yard units are continuously becoming more advanced than ever before with the latest technology. These models are especially quiet, which means you will not hear a loud buzzing sound when the AC is on. Newer side-yard models are also smaller than ever and really do not take up much space at all, nearly negating one previous drawback of side-yard units. While this type of AC was once stereotyped as bulky and unwieldy, it is now decently compact and not a major burden to the side of your home.
Since side-yard units are still the standard, it is far easier to have these units repaired and if need be, replaced, than a rooftop version. They are more easily accessible than the rooftop version, and more technicians have the skills and the tools to service it when it needs repairs.
Disadvantages of a Side-Yard System
A side-yard air conditioning unit is not as energy-efficient as a rooftop system, although they can still be quite good. This is because they need to work harder to circulate air between the indoors and outdoors. They also aren’t as safe as a rooftop AC system since it’s easier to steal copper from a ground-based AC unit.
Cleaning for Rooftop and Side-Yard Units
With both the side-yard and rooftop systems exposed to outside elements, you want to inspect these units at least twice a year. It is essential to check if excessive debris or dust has collected on the outer panels. If there is buildup, then the unit can have a reduction in airflow. Another place to check is the inlet screen. This component is located inside of the air conditioner, and it collects plenty of dirt, dust, and debris. If it is dirty, it can lead to more airflow problems in your unit.
AC cleaning will inevitably need to be done in the future for both rooftop and side-yard models. There are different means of caring for these types of units. Rooftop AC units tend to be the target of leaves from trees and bird droppings that happen to land on your roof. You’ll need to clean this debris off the AC from time to time. Similarly, side-yard AC units attract branches and bugs that inhabit nearby bushes.
No matter which model you choose, you are going to have to clean it periodically. If one position is much more exposed to the elements than the other, this could be a deciding factor. It can become tedious to constantly clean your AC because it is bombarded by debris every single week. It is much better to find a relatively peaceful spot for the AC that is out of the way of Mother Nature.
Let Us Help You
Overall, you need to weigh these similarities and differences and select the best air conditioner for your home. By doing so, you’ll maximize the appliance’s efficiency and evenly disperse cooling throughout the house. It will also be easier to manage on a weekly basis, and maintenance won’t be a problem in case it does break down.
If your system needs repair or inspection, call Aire-Tech at 951-926-1002. You can also visit our Contact page and complete the contact form.