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is it better to have two ac units or one

by Dr. Halle Kuphal Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

In this manner, are two air conditioners better than one? Yes, two air conditioning units are more expensive than one to purchase, too. But the cost difference is often not as high as you think. This is because you will need two smaller units compared to one larger unit to cool the entire home.

Two units allow for an easier time balancing the desired temperature in your home. Generally, one area of your home will be warmer or more difficult to cool than another. In a two-story home, the upstairs area is often warmer, as warm air rises. Having two AC units in your home can help balance out the temperature.Nov 1, 2018

Full Answer

Do you need two AC units in your home?

- Madd Air Heating & Cooling Do You Need Two AC Units In Your Home? Do you need two AC units in your home? This is a valid question. Particularly with two-story homes, common in our area, two AC units are often recommended. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of a two-unit system in your home.

Are two air conditioning units more expensive than one?

Yes, two air conditioning units are more expensive than one to purchase, too. But the cost difference is often not as high as you think. This is because you will need two smaller units compared to one larger unit to cool the entire home. The added cost of the second unit can also be offset by the ongoing energy savings.

Is it better to have two central air conditioning systems?

Using two systems has many advantages over a single unit, but it is not always the best choice. The age and design of your house may affect your decision, along with the costs of purchasing and running a second central air-conditioning unit.

Is a single air conditioner a good idea for a house?

While these homes can be great for growing families, they can be challenging when it comes to maintaining a consistent, comfortable temperature with a single air conditioning unit. Balancing Temperature There’s the obvious issue of warm air rising. In general, upstairs bedrooms will be warmer than the rest of the house.

Is it more expensive to have 2 AC units?

Yes, two air conditioning units are more expensive than one to purchase, too. But the cost difference is often not as high as you think. This is because you will need two smaller units compared to one larger unit to cool the entire home.

How many AC units do I need?

The smallest standard size is 1.5 tons, which is 18,000 BTUs and the largest is 5.0 tons, which is 60,000 BTUs. To calculate for yourself how big of a central air conditioning unit you need, multiply your home's total square footage by 20. Divide that total by 12,000.

Is one AC unit enough for a two story house?

One AC Unit for Two Story Home? Having one AC unit for two story home can be done. You will need a dual zone AC with one unit that powers both air conditioners. Having two AC units in your home (upstairs and downstairs) can help balance out the temperature.

Can I add a second AC unit to my house?

Zoned Systems– Yes you can have a single unit with two or more thermostats. This will cool the house evenly as well. The zones system has dampers in the ductwork the open, close to regulate airflow, and temp in each zone. A regular central air system pushes cool air to the entire house.

Do two story houses need two air conditioners?

Two units allow for an easier time balancing the desired temperature in your home. Generally, one area of your home will be warmer or more difficult to cool than another. In a two-story home, the upstairs area is often warmer, as warm air rises. Having two AC units in your home can help balance out the temperature.

How many air conditioners does a house need?

One of the first things that will determine how many AC units you need includes the amount of square footage of your house. The inside living space should have either one or two AC units based on the precise amount of square footage.

How can I cool my whole house with one air conditioner?

Close off all entrances except for the one that links the two rooms in use. Place a box fan in the window of the hotter room facing outward, which will pull hot air out of the room. Crack a window in the cooler room to help circulate cool air into the room you wish to cool.

Why is my upstairs so hot even with AC?

One of the biggest reasons the upstairs gets so hot is that the current sealing, insulation, and ventilation systems are not working correctly. On the sealing side of things, gaps in the home's structure can go unnoticed and quickly add up, causing air conditioning to be wasted.

Is it better to put air conditioner upstairs or downstairs?

Many homeowners mistakenly believe that they should keep both of their thermostats set exactly the same at all times. This is a mistake: the air upstairs will almost always be warmer, and as a result, you wind up with a downstairs area that's comfortable and an upstairs that's frustratingly warm.

How much does it cost to install a second AC unit?

Homeowners on average pay between $3,200 and $7,800 for a central air conditioner unit installation. The main factors that will affect the cost of your AC unit include home's square footage, desired brand, and the SEER rating you choose.

What size AC do I need for 1700 sq ft?

Furnace and Air Conditioner size for a detached 2-storey homeHouse square footage *Furnace Output [BTU/hr]Air Conditioner size [ton]up to 1300 sq ft40,000 BTU/hrup to 2 ton1300 to 1700 sq ft45,000 BTU/hr2 ton1700 to 2500 sq ft55,000 BTU/hr2.5 ton2500 to 3500 sq ftup to 65,000 BTU/hr3 to 3.5 ton3 more rows•May 26, 2017

How much does a dual AC unit cost?

Furnace and AC Combination Cost FactorsEquipment TierFurnace & ACDual FuelBasic$3,600 to $6,000$4,150 to $6,825Better$4,500 to $8,250$5,250 to $9,100Best$6,300 to $11,750$7,150 to $12,450Jan 15, 2020

Why do you need separate air conditioning units?

With separate central air conditioning units for each floor of your home, you can maintain a comfortable temperature for each defined space. This not only improves comfort but can also enable you to save money on utility bills.

How to contact Cool Blew about 2 story air conditioning?

Learn when it does and doesn’t make sense to have two air conditioning units in your 2-story home. Call Cool Blew today at (623) 872-2900.

Can you turn off an air conditioner at night?

With a second unit, you can choose to cool just the upstairs bedrooms at night. Or, if you primarily spend your time downstairs, you can turn off your upstairs unit when you’re not up there. This can reduce the square footage you’re regularly cooling considerably.

Can you keep a house cool with two units?

With two units, you can at least keep the house cool enough while repairs are being made. However, it’s also important to note that two units double your chances of a system failure and increase your overall cost of repairs over time.

Should I use a separate air conditioner for my wife?

Just make sure the unit(s) is/are properly sized for the space it is conditioning. A unit that is too large will cool too quickly and not dehumidify as well.

Is it cheaper to maintain two small units than one large unit?

For maintenance, generally parts for one big unit will cost less than parts for two smaller units, and labor to maintain two small units will be double one large unit. So I'd expect lower maintenance costs with a single larger unit. (Again just speaking in generalities.)

Can I install a split system with a single compressor?

I would install a split system with a single compressor. A mini split system is very efficient and is designed to supply cooling seperatly where needed the compressor condenser units only run at the speed needed to supply the load on the units I have installed. Electricity is expensive but a 2nd compressor will end up costing significanty more compared to 1 compressor with 2 evaporators (or more) because with 2 you now need 2 disconnects and the extra wiring since they will be in the same location. The only time I would suggest to have 2 compressors is when the home is large and the pressure and suction lines to the evaporators get long in this case it can be cheaper to have units located on opposite sides of the home reducing the line set length. But since the compressors will be located in the same location I would go with a single sized for the evaporators you need.

Is it cheaper to install one compressor or two?

The outside part of the installation will probably be cheaper with one unit - just one pad or hanger to prepare, one big electrical disconnect rather than two, etc. Less space used up by one big compressor than two small ones.

Can you oversize a compressor?

You may be able to oversize the compressor a little bit so you have room for expansion, so the single large compressor system may be more flexible.

Is electricity more expensive than 2 compressors?

Electricity is expensive but a 2nd compressor will end up costing significanty more compared to 1 compressor with 2 evaporators (or more) because with 2 you now need 2 disconnects and the extra wiring since they will be in the same location.

Why do we need two AC units?

This may be one of the most important reasons for having two AC units in your home. Two units allow for an easier time balancing the desired temperature in your home . Generally, one area of your home will be warmer or more difficult to cool than another.

Why do you need two AC units in a 2 story house?

In a two-story home, the upstairs area is often warmer, as warm air rises. Having two AC units in your home can help balance out the temperature. You can choose different temperatures to allow for efficiency in running the units.

What is the pros and cons of a non-zoned AC system?

Pro: Energy Savings. When your home has one, non-zoned AC unit, the entire home must be cooled to attain the desired temperature. With two units, you have more control over how much energy is used to keep a particular area comfortable. When your system does not have to work as hard to cool the entire home, even often unused areas, ...

What happens if you have two units?

If you have two units, the size of the units needed will be much smaller to cool the same square footage of space. Additionally, the savings you will experience in energy costs can help to offset the cost of the two units. Heating and cooling habits, size of your home, layout of your home, and more will help determine what ...

Can you have two AC units in your home?

If you have two AC units in your home, you can rely on one unit to keep your family cool while the other is receiving an AC repair, simple maintenance, or even getting replaced with a new AC installation. Having this reassurance that you won’t be left in sweltering heat is so beneficial. AC REPAIR COMPANY TODAY!

Is it cheaper to have two AC units?

Having two AC units in your home may be more expensive to install than just one unit. However, the cost difference may not be as much as you think. AC units are recommended for your home based on square footage and cooling needs. If you have two units, the size of the units needed will be much smaller to cool the same square footage of space. Additionally, the savings you will experience in energy costs can help to offset the cost of the two units. Heating and cooling habits, size of your home, layout of your home, and more will help determine what the best option for your family is.

What happens if one central air unit goes out?

If one of the central air-conditioning units goes out, you may be able to keep the house cool enough with the other unit until repairs are made, though this is only important in areas where summer temperatures are extreme. Having two units also doubles the chance of system failure and increases the cost of repairs overall.

What is the difference between a zoned system and a single zoned system?

A single zoned system has many of the advantages of a two-unit system: The house is divided into two or more zones -- in this case, upstairs and downstairs.

Is it cheaper to buy two central air units?

Purchasing two central air-conditioning units can be more expensive initially than purchasing a single unit, but the cost difference may not be as much as you think. You need either two smaller units or one larger unit to run the entire house. The added cost of the second unit may be offset by the energy savings. Much depends on your house and how you use the air conditioner.

Can you have two central air units in a two story house?

It can be challenging to maintain a comfortable temperature in an older two-story home with only one central air-conditioning unit. Using two systems has many advantages over a single unit, but it is not always the best choice. The age and design of your house may affect your decision, along with the costs of purchasing and running a second central air-conditioning unit.

Is it better to have two air conditioners on each floor?

In many older homes, it is difficult to keep the entire house at the same temperature. The second floor is often much warmer than the first, so one area of the house often seems too hot or two cold. Using separate central air-conditioning units for each floor allows you to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the entire house.

Can you have a non-zoned central air conditioning unit?

A single non-zoned central air-conditioning unit requires you to keep all areas cool, even when some are not in use. In many homes, the first floor can be cooled during the daytime and turned off at night, while the upstairs bedrooms may only need to be cooled at night. In this situation, separate central air-conditioning units can result in significant energy savings. This situation can also be solved with a zoned air-conditioning unit.

What is dual HVAC?

A dual-unit system will have two separate single-zone HVAC units each controlling one area of the home (upstairs-downstairs is common in new construction, as is having a second HVAC for a new addition).

What is dual zone heating?

A dual-zone system is one heating element and/or AC coil serving two separate ductwork segments. The extra cost of a dual-zone system as opposed to a single-zone system is in the dual-zone temperature monitoring/control panels, and a system-controlled diverter that sends the air to the side of the system that needs it (or both).

Can thermostats communicate wirelessly?

There are some nice thermostats that can communicate wirelessly (usually as part of a whole-house automation/alarm system), but basically each unit will be its own completely separate system and to balance the temperature in the whole house you must go upstairs and down to fiddle with settings. Share.

Is it cheaper to transfer heat than to create it?

What It boils down to is, it is a lot cheaper to transfer heat than it is to create it.

What is 12,000 BTU AC?

A 12,000 BTU AC is a large window unit or a small split system. So, if you are considering window units only, I don’t think you could get one 24,000BTU unit. Your choice is made for you. Besides that, the two units will give you more uniform temperature throughout the conditioned area. It will also give you two zones of air conditioning, much like mentioned below.

Why does my AC unit feel cold?

Most AC units are designed to remove more heat than water vapor (humidity) (70% sensible, 30% latent). Oversizing a unit (running it for short periods ) will cause the temperature to decrease but not the humidity, so you may feel cold and wet.

How many watts does a 5000 btu use?

Crazy figures being given here. Real world examples, I have a 5000 btu with a watt meter on it showing it to max out at around 857 watts and it runs constantly trying to cool the too large of a room it’s in. So that’s 0.857 Kwh per hour (or less than a dime here in NC). Been studying/shopping mini splits and 12k units around 17 seer max out at about 14 amps on 120 vac, which Ohm’s law “V (voltage 120) x I (current 14)=P (watts 1680)” tells us is 1.68 Kwh, or about 18 cents an hour here in NC (10.6 cents per), IF it’s is maxed out. Which of course it won’t be 24 hours a day, and with inverter tech

How much power does a 2 ton inverter draw?

Two ton air conditioners typically draw 2.5–2.8kw. Since it is an inverter unit, lets say it is on the lower end because they are supposed to be very efficient, say 2.5kw, maybe a little less.

How many amps does a house outlet need?

I saw a rating of 9 or 10 amps for the units being sold….Most common electrical house outlets, have a rating of 15 AMPS (I assume), so most of the stuff on the market would have to be under that rating, for the average consumer to want to buy a portable coo

What is BTU in cooling?

The BTU (British Thermal Unit), and a measurement of effective cooling power based on the square footage, the unit needs to cool…

How much current do you need to run 120 volts?

If the voltage was actually 120 volts, you would need nearly 30A (twice as much current) for the same amount of power.

How many zones are there in a one unit system?

The one unit system is configured with 4 separate zones. I can choose to put them anywhere something like upstairs, mstr. bdrm, first floor, basement.

Should operating costs be less?

TWO SYSTEMS! Operating costs should be less as you only use what you need, and is better for comfort.If one system suffers a breakdown, the other will still run. Repair parts will be less expensive and more companies are likely to carry them.

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Balancing Temperature

Energy Savings

  • With a single, non-zoned air conditioning unit, you have to keep every area cool at the same time. With a second unit, you can choose to cool just the upstairs bedrooms at night. Or, if you primarily spend your time downstairs, you can turn off your upstairs unit when you’re not up there. This can reduce the square footage you’re regularly cooling considerably.
See more on coolblew.com

System Failure

  • As many Arizonans know, air conditioners have a habit of failing at the worst possible time. With two units, you can at least keep the house cool enough while repairs are being made. However, it’s also important to note that two units double your chances of a system failure and increase your overall cost of repairs over time.
See more on coolblew.com

Other Cost Considerations

  • Yes, two air conditioning units are more expensive than one to purchase, too. But the cost difference is often not as high as you think. This is because you will need two smaller units compared to one larger unit to cool the entire home. The added cost of the second unit can also be offset by the ongoing energy savings. Much of this depends on your...
See more on coolblew.com

A Zoned System

  • Another option is to install a single air conditioning unit with two or more thermostats. This is particularly beneficial for larger homes. A zoned system uses dampers within the ductwork that open and close to control the temperature and flow of air within each zone. This type of system costs more than a regular zone-less system, but the energy savings can add up over time. Call C…
See more on coolblew.com

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