central air in apartments

Is Central Air Worth It? Pros and Cons for Your Apartment

Central air conditioning for apartments is a luxury feature many people include on their wish list, but it may not be the best option for your situation.

Unless you live in the South, in which case it’s far superior to any other option, and should be found at all costs. But we digress.

What is central air?

Along with indoor plumbing and the internet, central air is one of the most beloved inventions of all time. South Florida in August with nothing but a handheld fan? Thank you, next.

But, what is central air conditioning for apartments, anyway? Unlike the functionally far inferior window unit, central air is a comprehensive system that distributes blessedly cool air using ductwork. A very important component of the system is the compressor, which works with the evaporator coils and the condenser to flush heat out of the house, making it nice and frosty inside. All of these parts are found in the portion of the unit that’s located outside.

Of course, we can’t simply have nice things without a little give-and-take. Check out some of the main pros and cons of central air conditioning for apartments.

air conditioning

Pros of central air conditioning

Who doesn’t love a nice, climate-controlled apartment? Here are some of the pros of central A/C.

Consistent, comfortable temperature

A small window air conditioning unit may only be able to cool a room or two in your apartment, while central air will provide you with a consistently pleasant temperature throughout your whole space. The system pushes cool air through vents that snake through the building so you and your neighbors can enjoy it anywhere inside.

Filtered air

Central air systems also utilize filters to provide you with cleaner air to breathe. The system circulates the air in your apartment so it doesn’t get stuffy or stale-smelling. Window units, on the other hand, aren’t as effective at moving air or cleaning it.

You might make central air a top apartment feature priority if you have dust-related allergies because it will decrease the number of particles you inhale throughout the course of the day and night.

Programmable thermostat

Having central air allows you (or your landlord) to install a programmable thermostat. You can essentially tell the device when to turn on your air conditioning and to what temperature.

So, you can keep it at a higher temperature when you’re not there — no reason to pay to cool an empty house, right? You can also program the thermostat to get cooler right before you get home so that it’s delightfully chill after a long day at the office.

Using a smart device helps decrease energy costs by reducing the amount of time your air conditioning has to work. Also, you can save about one percent on your bill for each degree you adjust your thermostat, per every eight hours. So, if you adjust it by seven or eight degrees, you’ll save a bundle and probably won’t even notice the temperature change!

A programmable thermostat is a great tool, and it saves you money, but it may not be an option, depending on whether your apartment has individual controls. It’s definitely worth investigating, however, but be sure to check with your landlord before doing any installation.

electric bill

Cons of central air conditioning

Central air conditioning in apartments isn’t all sunshine and roses. Take a read through some of the pitfalls of the amenity.

Increased energy bills

You might face a large energy bill if your apartment uses central air conditioning, especially if you don’t have individual control over the temperature (some roommates have itchy trigger fingers when it comes to the thermostat). Plus, central air cools the entire apartment, even in areas you don’t really need it.

By comparison, a window unit only cools certain areas, so you can choose to install it where you want to be most comfortable, or where you spend most of your time. If you don’t need to cool the whole apartment, a window unit is definitely more cost-effective because it’s inexpensive, not to mention easy to install yourself. However, if your pad has a spread out floor plan, it may be worth the extra money per month if you can swing it.

Expensive installation

Even if you don’t have to foot the bill to install central air in your apartment, the costs could trickle down into your rent. If the landlord decides to add central air, the rent price could increase to ensure they get a return on their investment. Before you move in, ask if there are any planned renovations on the docket, and if so, how they will impact your rent.

Mold and mildew

Central air systems require very little maintenance, but they do gunk up over time. Mold and mildew can form in the ducts, which in turn causes them to blow around in your apartment. As long as your landlord is up to date on air conditioning maintenance, this shouldn’t be a problem.

However, if the landlord doesn’t regularly check and perform maintenance on the system, you could end up with allergy and sinus issues. Talk to others who live in the building before you make a decision on whether to rent there. They might be able to tell you if they’ve had breathing or other problems as a result of poorly maintained air conditioning.

Finding apartments with central air

Although the decision of whether or not to rent a place with central A/C is a no-brainer for some, the variables really depend on personal preference, financials and weather patterns in the local area. Some parts of the country only get a few truly hot days a year, whereas others practically require ice baths to cool down at the end of a long day.

So, be sure to stop and think about whether you’re hot under the collar for central air conditioning for your apartment, or if you’re totally cool without it. Then, customize your search to reflect what you want vs. what you really need.

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