Choose Your Air Conditioning System Carefully.

One of the worst things that can happen is that your air conditioner breaks down during the hottest months of the year. There are several types of air conditioning systems and when your current system does break down, that may be a good time to consider changing the cooling system style that you have in your home currently. Two popular types are the most common central air units and the less common and environmentally greener geothermal systems.

The central air conditioning units transfer heat between the exterior and the interior of your home. Most units use outside air as the heat source and run that hot air over cooling coils to cool the home. Unlike the central air unit, the geothermal system gets its more consistent year round temperatures from below the ground.

When you are comparing air conditioning systems, there are several things that you need to consider. These are:
• Efficiency -- You can get air conditioners today that are at least 90% efficient and can save you lots of money, but when put up against the geothermal system, there is no comparison as they are considered by the Environmental Protection Agency, to often be 45% more efficient than the average central air conditioner.
• Installation -- the average central air conditioner unit is quite easy to install but relies on parts that can be complicated and must have occasional maintenance to keep it running properly. Geothermal cooling systems, however, get their heat and cool air from below the surface of the earth and are a little more difficult to install as they require tubing deep under the earth, but are easier to maintain than the central air conditioning unit..
• Cost - Though they do cost up to five times more to have installed than the average central air conditioning unit, because they are much more efficient, you will see lower heating and cooling bills almost immediately. You can get back your costs in about 10 years and because of its greener technology, you may also be eligible for a 30% tax credit on a new geothermal installation.

Where you live may influence the choice that you make. Some areas in the country may be more restricted in geothermal use due to higher possibility of earthquakes and your only option may be the air conditioning unit, but, if you live in colder parts of the United States, a geothermal system may be just what you need to help you save on energy costs. Also, unless you are able to make the initial investment in the geothermal system it is not something that you can do financially as the central air conditioning unit is much more affordable.
Ultimately, the choice you make will have to depend on what you can afford and in what part of the United States that you live.