Central Air vs. Window Units: What’s the Difference?

The best way to chill out over sweltering conditions in your home is to add an air conditioner. But should you commit to a new central air system, or will a tried-and-true window unit be enough to keep you comfortable? Deciding can be tough. That's why we've made a side-by-side comparison of window ACs versus central air so that you can see which way the cool wind blows in terms of getting the best value.

Window Unit vs. Central Air Conditioning: Key Differences

Both window units and central air conditioning are viable solutions, depending on your needs. Window units are less costly and easy to DIY, but not everyone loves the aesthetic. Plus, they can only cool one room at a time, so you’ll need multiple window units versus central air’s single unit. Central air can easily cool an entire home, but it costs a lot to install, so it may not be in the budget for every household.

Window Unit Pros and Cons

You may be tempted to just go pick up a window unit if you're desperate to cool your home ASAP. A window unit can be popped in easily for instant cooling. However, you're definitely getting all of the downsides that go with a "quick fix" when you opt for a window unit.

Best for: 

• People with a smaller budget 

• People who don’t need whole-home cooling

Pros

• Affordable: The big benefit of a window air conditioner is that it's pretty inexpensive. You may decide that the cost of a window unit air conditioner is worth it if you can get one for the typical price between $150 and $550.

• Room-by-room cooling: Window units can actually be less expensive to operate because you only have to worry about cooling a specific spot in your home. For instance, an air conditioner in your bedroom allows you to pay to cool a single room instead of keeping a household system on all night.

• DIY Installation: Of course, the big cost saving comes in the form of a simple DIY installation. Anyone can install a window AC unit on their own (though you might need some help with the heavy lifting).

Cons

• Not a whole-house solution: The price can add up quickly if you're putting a unit in every room. Consider what paying $150 to $600 for every window you want to use a unit in would look like.

• Subpar air filtering: Dealing with asthma or allergies? You may find that a humble window unit doesn't leave things clean enough.

• Uneven cooling: You also have to worry about those dreaded hot spots with window air conditioners. Due to the inferior air circulation they provide, window units often create inconsistent temperatures within a single room.

• Fitting your windows: Your window style can actually impact the cost of your window unit. If you have unconventional casement windows, the average cost for casement window air conditioners is between $400 and $600.

Central Air Conditioner Pros and Cons

Central air conditioning can drastically improve the resale value of your home. The key benefit of central air conditioning is that you're getting a permanent, efficient system that allows you to control the temperature settings throughout your entire home with a single system.

Best for: 

• People who use all rooms in their home

• Those who live in hot climates

• People with a bigger budget

Pros

• Efficiency: Central air conditioning is much more efficient than a window unit. 

• Air filtration: Central air also blows window units away at air filtration. In fact, people with allergies or asthma often consider central air to be a high-priority feature.

• Even cooling: Central air also provides even temperatures throughout a home. No more battling between warm and cold spots!

• Year-round solution: Your central air conditioning is part of your home all year long. That means you never have to deal with swapping your window units in and out with the seasons. 

Cons

• Cost: Price is the biggest barrier to entry with central air. Expect a new whole-house cooling unit to cost an average of $7,500. Some systems can cost $10,000 with installation factored in.

• Repairs and maintenance: While modern cooling systems are generally pretty dependable, there is always the concern that you'll end up with a big repair bill if your central air is on the fritz. You should also be paying for annual maintenance and inspections to keep your system in top shape. While the cost for general central air maintenance isn't high, it's still an added household cost.

Window Unit vs. Central Air Conditioning

No need to sweat the decision over which type of air conditioning to get for your home. Think about what is most important to you to make the right decision.

Efficiency: Central Air

If you run a window unit and central air for the same amount of time, the window unit will use only one-third of the amount of energy. However, a powerful central air conditioning system is more energy-efficient than a window unit because it can cool a larger home without using more than one machine. 

There are many eco-friendly central air units on the market that have settings to regulate how often they run or to turn the machine off automatically as needed.

Durability: Central Air

While both types of cooling systems can run for years at a time, you’ll see longer-lasting performance from central air. When a window unit breaks, it’s rarely easy to repair. The parts can be hard to find, and the cost of a new replacement rivals the cost of fixing it. On the other hand, central air is easily serviceable by a local HVAC technician who can troubleshoot and repair the system to help it last 15 to 20 years. 

Appearance: Central Air

Window units are mounted to a window. That means that they're visible from both the inside and outside of your home. By contrast, central air is essentially invisible. However, you will have to deal with a condenser unit right outside your home if you pick a system with an exterior condenser unit.

Price: Window Unit

A single air conditioning unit is just a fraction of the cost of having central air installed. However, it also provides just a fraction of the cooling power. You also lose some of the cost advantage of using a window unit if you're purchasing multiple units for your home.

Ease of Installation: Window Unit

It's actually impossible to install your own central air system. You'll need the help of a licensed local HVAC technician. By contrast, anyone can purchase and install a portable AC unit in a single day.

Resale Value: Central Air

A new HVAC system can increase the worth of your home by 5% to 7%. Some estimates even say 10%. By contrast, window units really only provide short-term benefits without adding any value to your home.

Cost to Install Central Air vs. a Window Unit

The average cost to buy and install central air in your home is much higher than a window unit, at a range of $3,000 to $7,000 total. But considering you’ll be staying cool while saving money on energy bills, those upfront costs usually even out over time. You shouldn’t attempt the complex task of installing central air yourself, and instead check out local pros who specialize in air conditioning. 

Window units carry a much lower price tag that can range from $130 to $550. Depending on how comfortable you feel as a DIY-er, you can install your window unit yourself in a few steps.