In my local area, central air conditioning for the home isn’t necessary.
- The summer season is fairly short.
There are years when the whole season is chilly and wet. For those few months, we can manage with a combination of box fans, open windows and window air conditioners. I wasn’t satisfied with this solution. The open windows allow in all sorts of pollen, bugs, fumes, dust and other allergens. The box fans stir up those contaminants and don’t provide much relief. The window air conditioners are unattractive and only cool a single room. The rest of the house feels uncomfortable. We sometimes get summer weather that is brutally hot and humid. I decided it was worth it to invest in a whole-house cooling system. Because I already had a forced air furnace with ductwork installed, it wasn’t excessively expensive. The central air conditioner is such an improvement. I love the ability to adjust the thermostat and have every room feel perfectly cool. Plus, the air conditioner circulates and filters the air, keeping the house fresher and more hygienic. It also helps with humidity. I spent extra for an Energy Star rated, high-efficiency unit to keep running costs reasonable. The operation is especially quiet and makes for a far more enjoyable living environment. My whole family sleeps better at night and we’re able to be more productive during the day. While we enjoy spending as much time as possible outside during nicer weather, it’s certainly a pleasure to step inside at the end of the day. While the air conditioner might not be necessary, I think it’s worth it.