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Heater air conditioner unit advanatages and disadvantages

In some cases, it makes more sense to install a heater air conditioner unit rather than a cooling-only AC unit.

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Heater air conditioner unit does both! Photo by B Rosen on Flickr.When it comes to installing air conditioning in your home, you might want to think about environmental control that can cover year-round weather conditions. In some cases, it makes more sense to install a heater air conditioner unit rather than a cooling-only AC unit.

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Pros of a heater air conditioner unit

One advantage of using a heat pump AC is you'll only need one installation process to provide comfort throughout the year. Likewise, you'll have only one system to maintain.

Modern heater air conditioner units are quite capable of coping with a wide range of temperatures, unlike older models that required extra heat sources if the temperatures dip below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Air conditioner prices are also often very competitive compared with full house heating and ventilation systems. So if your climate is suitable for a heat pump-based system, you might find you can save money on all these factors.

Combining your home cooling and heating into one system can also enable you to monitor your environmental impact more carefully and consider the efficiency of the system as a whole, instead of spending money and energy on competing systems.

Cons of a heater air conditioner unit

On the other hand, a heater air conditioner unit won't be able to handle extremely cold weather without some sort of additional heat source. You could find that a separate AC unit and a form of heating that's not warm-air based are necessary if you live in an area that has extreme temperatures throughout the year.

Far fewer options are available for portable or self-install units with combined systems because of their extra complexity. So they might be less appropriate for people who are renting or move frequently, even if a slide-out chassis is used.

Typically, less choice is available for residential customers in terms of the number of dual-purpose systems that can effectively provide both heating and cooling. A heater air conditioner unit is likely to need professional installation and to come in the form of a packaged system, though split systems may also be available depending on your needs and location.

As with any HVAC system, efficient manufacture and installation is essential for best performance. You'll need to be sure your choice of system is the right one for you.

If you decide to install a heater air conditioner unit, find a qualified and experienced contractors in your area. The contractors will provide you with an installation estimate and details of each of the systems, like warranty info or installation time. You'll then be able to perform a full cost to benefit analysis and hire a contractor who'll install the heater air conditioner unit that meets your needs.

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Photo credit: B Rosen via Compfight CC.