Which is more expensive to run, a window unit or central AC - assuming the wu runs 24/7 and AC is set at 74?

Question

My apartment AC unit is being replaced, and in the meantime we have a window unit which freezes the bedroom and makes the rest of the apartment about 78-80 when we are home. The office manager argued that it is less expensive to run the window unit at 64 all day long than it is to run the AC . I disagreed with her. Our apartment is 1150 square foot, and while the window unit cools the bedroom the rest of the apartment is around 80 when we are home.

Answer 1

depends on the temp outside and inside the home both draw alot of power and will be costly no matter what a central unit is for the whole house and a window unit is just for a small room. but why would have 2 units running at the same time. over all a central unit is better to have . also the temp should be 68 for a home

Answer 2

Depends on the size of space you are trying to cool. If it is a small house, like 800-100 sq ft and does not have a central A/C system in place, then it is better to install window unit. The cost for the energy might be a bit more to run the window unit, but how long would it take to make up this small difference if you were to spend 3 grand on a central unit?

If you own the house, then I would certainly suggest spending the money to install the Central A/c as it will pay back more on the resell than the cost to install.

If you are just wondering if you should turn off your Central unit and use a window unit to save a few bucks...well, no, unless the Central unit is poor and must run all the time to keep the house tolerable. Fix the unit, or turn it off and run a window unit if you have it.

I would much prefer to have the Central unit that works, much more efficient cooling as the air would be spread thru the ducts all around the space, not just blowing out of a window.

Too many factors involved to really answer your question. I would think that if both were good working units, than the Central unit will be less expensive, even if it happened to be a few dollars more, is it worth those few dollars to have to deal with having a window unit that can not completely cool the whole area.

Answer 3

You are definitely better with a central unit. With the small unit running 24/7 and most likely on a 120 Volt circuit the bill would be higher. Also, you are not getting the same comfort level throughout the entire house, which is another negative. The only way to know for sure is to wait until your bill comes out or if you know how to read your electric meter, check the daily Kilowatt-hour usage and compare that to recent bills( which should give you an average daily usage). Then you will be able to argue with the office manager and have facts to back it up. Good luck. Also, sounds like you are stuck with the window unit for a while. You might try a few fans to circulate the air out of the bedroom and into the rest of your home.

Answer 4

A friend of mine cut her electric bill down tremendously when she had a window AC installed in the kitchen/ breakfast area. During the day when everyone was at school or work, she turned it on to 76 and set the central unit to 82. That little unit in the window cooled the house just enough so when they came home so it wasn't so stifling hot... then they turned it off and turned down the central unit .

Answer 5

The central A/C is cheaper to cool the entire home, the window unit is cheaper to cool just one room, or if you want that one room at 74 and the rest of the house at say 78.

Answer 6

Depends on the electrical wiring for the window unit and how much space you are trying to cool. Most central air units are 220 volts which is less costly than a 110 volt unit.

Answer 7

I think the cost/benefit is better with the central AC, depending on the size of both units respect to the house or area.

Answer 8

the window unit costs less because it's not running thru ductwork, cooling it off in the process.