NWR : central air vs. window unit

nicole8586

FI and I have the duct work for central air but are debating on whether or now we want to get the unit or just stick with window units. Our two biggest reasons to have central air are for a cool bathroom (we both hate getting out of the shower and sweating right away) and keeping the dog cool.  On the other hand FI don’t see the need to have the air running through the whole house when we are only using one room at a time.
So, thoughts, pros and cons on either or would be appreciated!  TYA

miguelhilary2010

Strictly my opinion... I prefer central AC because you can actually control the temp (not just blasting cold air) and it only runs when the temperature gets too high.  If you're concerned with energy efficiency, keep the temp at a moderate level (like 70-75 instead of 65) when you're home and bump it up when you're gone for work. On cool days, just turn it off completely.

FI can close the vents in rooms that go unused like a guest room, etc., so that the air is forced out into the rooms that are occupied.  I do this with heat and AC.

nicole8586

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-philadelphia_nwr-central-air-vs-window-unit?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:105Discussion:a2786633-a21a-4f7e-9255-1373fdb2f098Post:adef840e-4d18-479b-a6bd-c5208c6c175e">Re: NWR : central air vs. window unit</a>:
[QUOTE]Strictly my opinion... I prefer central AC because you can actually control the temp (not just blasting cold air) and it only runs when the temperature gets too high.  If you're concerned with energy efficiency, keep the temp at a moderate level (like 70-75 instead of 65) when you're home and bump it up when you're gone for work. On cool days, just turn it off completely. <strong>FI can close the vents in rooms that go unused like a guest room, etc., so that the air is forced out into the rooms that are occupied.</strong>  I do this with heat and AC.
Posted by miguelhilary2010[/QUOTE]

Great point! TY

I just got an e-mail form him. We are going to go with the central AC!

ooodsie

Good Choice.. I find window units only cool whats directly in front of them, not always the whole room. 

CleverEuphemism

I agree with PPs--we have an old house with radiator heat, so we have to use window AC and I hate it!   If you have central air it's nice when you have early or late heat spells like we just did, just to turn it on for a day or two and not having to drag out the window units.  Plus the windor units block light when you put them in.
Go for the central AC if you can swing it! 

Stacylynn702

CA is better for many reasons so good choice.

We program it so that it automatically goes up and down when we want. 
We also do the same as pp...we close the vents off in rooms we aren''t using (guest room, kitchen if we're in the front...)  You'll use way less energy and spend less money in the long run thsi way.