A fitting topic to be dishing out today, during day 3 of a heatwave. I’ve never been more happy about my purchase of an Air Conditioner.
I don’t know how I went over a decade without an air conditioner during these Toronto summers. Summer days as a stay at home mom were all about outdoor activities. Beaches, parks, walks, pools, anything to keep the kids from sticking to me. We were all cranky, no one wanted to cook hot meals.
Then the evening came… Hubby came home and immediately stripped down to his underwear. It definitely set the mood. (not the mood you are thinking) His face would say it all “get online and find a new air conditioner“.
Air Conditioning Treasure Hunt
Between the kids naps and de-crumbing the floors for the second time, the researching began. I was overwhelmed with the amount of information about Air Conditioners. Who knew there are so many different types of units?!
There are sleek indoor ones that stick on my wall, outdoor ones supported on the side of the house, ones on wheels… the pressure to research each unit was at an all time high. I knew this was a solid afternoon of reading, so I did what any ‘not-too proud mom’ would do.
I prepped bowls of goldfish and cheese strings for the kids. Remote ready to pop on a magical ABC mystery marathon. That should give me at least 2 hours… right?
AC Units
10 minutes into my search and I have 8 tabs open. One for each air conditioner I could find. Of course, I sent each link to my husband at work. Feeling like that was a productive moment in time I grabbed a glass of ice water to cool my melting thighs (Anyone using a laptop in a room with no air conditioning knows my soggy story).
Impatiently waiting for my husbands response to the links I sent I hear…”ding“. A frustrated message of “Just pick one and call around” from my husband.
Then the list began. I wrote down the types of units
- Central Air Conditioner
- Ductless Mini-Split
- Window Air Conditioner
- Portable Air Conditioner
- Floor Mounted Air Conditioner
- Hybrid Dual Fuel Air Conditioner
- Smart Air Conditioner
- Geothermal Air Conditioner
Air Necessities
Reading through the initial installation process of these A/C units, I quickly realized certain ones are not compatible with our Toronto home. Our house is 60 years old and built during the fabulous years of baseboard heaters. Why homebuilders thought they were a great addition to a home is beyond me.
Our basement is fully renovated, drywall coming down is not an option. Plus, I really don’t want to lose half of my laundry sanctuary to a huge metal box delivering me temperature controlled air.
I needed something ductless, easy to use and kid friendly. So I jotted down key notes for each unit.
If you are north of Toronto, in an area like Uxbridge, you may seek the help of a regional HVAC company.
Central Air Conditioning
This unit cools an entire house using pre-existing ducts. Sucks out hot air and pulls in cool air reducing the humidity in the home at the same time. Need a clearance outside for the unit to attach to the home.
Ductless Mini-Split
The Ductless system is a unit that cools small/medium spaces effectively. As it says in the name, it is ductless which makes it a simple installation process. You do need a space outside the home where you intend to attach the air conditioner inside. For a whole house, multiple are needed. It can be an eye sore on the wall. But very silent. Bonus: Most units can dual as a heater. You will definitely need the help of a GTA HVAC company to help with the installation of your ductless mini split air conditioner.
Window Air Conditioner
Window air conditioners have been a top seller for those who don’t have ducts. Depending on the size you could cool a small house with just 1 large unit. They are loud, but easy to install. You lose your window views.
Portable Air Conditioner
This unit is very similar to the window air conditioner. It uses the window to pull air in and blow out the hot. The portable is easily moved on wheels while the vents are attached to the window. You must empty the tray in the unit, from humidity accumulation. Doesn’t cool more than a room.
Floor Mounted Air Conditioner
Similar to the Ductless Mini-Split, this air conditioner doesn’t require ducts. It is installed no more than 6 inches off the ground, for amazing cooling efficiency. Floor Mounted does require an outdoor unit with a hose to the interior unit.
Smart Air Conditioner
Smart air conditioners are basically the Mini-Split but with bluetooth capabilities. It is a ductless system that has an indoor and outdoor unit. Cooling a medium size space all with your phone.
Hybrid Dual Fuel Air Conditioner
The Hybrid combines gas and electric heat to cool your house. You need to have a duct system throughout your home. Cool the entire house efficiently.
Geothermal Air Conditioner
This system has piping that consists of a loop that circulates water between your home, a heat pump & the ground. They require intensive work to set up underground. And no neighbours as your system of pipes takes up a large underground space.
Breaking The Bank
The cost to install your air conditioner can vary based on the unit you choose. Obviously, not having a furnace with ducts already filling my walls with luscious cool breezes… We went with a ductless system. The cost of renovating our basement to install ducts was not happening.
Having younger children was a huge factor in choosing our unit as well. It couldn’t be something that was on the floor or climbable. Or look like R2-D2 on wheels.
Thankfully we have space between our house and the neighbours so an outdoor/indoor unit was possible. Lastly, mama isn’t a tall lady. And hubby isn’t one for the “honey-do” lists. So a remote was necessary.
With installation and product purchased from an amazing Toronto, Ontario HVAC company, we came out under budget!
Final Thoughts
As much as I loved doing a load of underwear every 2 days in the summer, I don’t think I’ll be missing it. Researching beforehand really helped with my phone conversations doing quotes. “Sir, I just need a unit that won’t have my husband complaining about his sweaty balls or sticky floors”
We went with the Smart Air Conditioner. And my marriage couldn’t be better.
