Air Conditioning: Runs through the ducts that you’ve already got in place in your home if you’ve got a furnace. It’s as easy as switching your thermostat to cool and setting your desired temperature. There’s no need to winterize anything, just switch back to heat and you’re set for winter.
The Good The Bad The Ugly
| Great if you have forced air heat as it uses the same ductwork | Needs ductwork installed if you have hot water heat | Not too unsightly and you can position the outside unit so that it’s not seen immediately |
| Uses the same thermostat as your furnace | Requires a 220 circuit/electrical panel upgrade | |
| Circulates air through the furnace filter | ||
| Works well when it’s humid | ||
| Works with the windows closed so diminishes allergen issues |
Evaporative Cooling: Requires installation of supply ducts to get air where you’d like it. It comes with its own thermostat so that you can set your temperature. It adds moisture to the air which is great in our dry Colorado climate. It is self-cleaning, but you do have to winterize it to prevent breaking the water line.
The Good The Bad The Ugly
| Run ductwork to the areas that you want to cool | Have to run ductwork | Units are not unsightly, but some HOAs do not allow them |
| Provides moisture to the dry Colorado air | Need to winterize to prevent water lines breaking | |
| Self flushing daily | Doesn’t work well on humid days | |
| Has it’s own thermostat that you can set you’re desired temperature | ||
| Requires a cracked window so you get fresh air flow |