Living in a tiny house has its own set of challenges, with the biggest one being finding an adequate cooling solution for the house. In many cases, the problem arises due to space constraints, which leaves you with very little space to work with. Depending on where you live and its climate, there are several options that could be the perfect solution for you. Below, we will look at how to go about shopping for the right AC unit for your house.
Understand Your Needs
Before you set a budget and start looking at different AC units, you need to determine your needs. For example, you might need to save some money on your electric bill or you may need a unit you can move from place to place. Next, you need to think about installation. For a tiny house, you need a unit that is easy to install, and that requires minimal effort to do so.
Consider Different Types of Units
The types of air conditioning units you get will depend largely on your needs as stipulated above, plus how much you have to spend. There are lots of options to choose from and AC units can get very pricey but it is still possible to find some affordable options that tick all your boxes.
Central air conditioners are very quiet but might not be the best option for a tiny house that might not have air ducts. The next best option is a mini split system. Mini Split AC units are great for windowless rooms and work well for tiny homes because there is usually no ductwork for the installation of a central system. These units have an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. The outdoor unit powers the system while the outdoor unit is mounted on the wall and brings in fresh, cold air.
Window AC units are a very affordable option for those living in tiny homes. They are also very popular due to their ease of installation and one can pick one up for a few hundred dollars. Through the wall AC units are another very popular option. They are usually built the same as window AC units but they are meant to be installed through the wall, as the name suggests. Window and through the wall systems can get pretty loud, but their loudest parts are usually located outside the house, so that should not be a problem.
Portable air conditioners are another budget-conscious option for those who need to cool a single room. Their main advantage is that they can be moved from room to room. Do keep in mind that some of these units require an outlet for their hot air, usually a window, so they might not be as portable as you might like.
When choosing a small air conditioning unit for a tiny home, it can be challenging to find the right air filters for the unit because manufacturers do not always prioritize smaller air conditioning units. However, you can find different types of air filters on this site. Filterbuy is one of the biggest air filter companies that allows you to shop for air filters based on size, brand, and even MERV rating. They are rated highly by their customers and ship your air filters within 24 hours so you can get them as soon as possible.
Consider Structural and Physical Restrictions
It is important to ensure that the space the air conditioner will be installed in is not too big or too small for the air conditioner you choose. If there is a mismatch between the space and the size you have available, the unit might turn on and off too often, leading to higher levels of humidity in the house, higher power bills, and a shortened lifespan for your unit. To rectify this, match the unit to the space you are heating or cooling, and the only way to know which unit is right for you is to measure the house.
Once you know the length and width of the house in feet, multiply those two together to get the square footage you need to be covered. This is the measurement you will use to find a unit that is the right size.
Depending on how and where the house is built, you might have some restrictions on the types of AC units you can install. For example, it is perfectly fine to add a window AC unit if your house is somewhere in the open, but not if it is close to residential buildings as it hangs outside the house. Also, you might not be able to add through the wall AC units if the structure of the house is not made to support its weight.
Getting an AC unit for a tiny house is a lot more challenging than getting one for a traditional house. This is because the space is smaller and most AC units are made for larger spaces. In addition, you need to think about noise, portability, and whether your structure can support the unit. Once you consider all these, the next step should be getting the best unit that is within your budget and that fulfills all your needs.