Split Air Conditioners

Like central air conditioners, split air conditioners utilize a split design but they're significantly easier and less expensive to install than central air conditioning. A split AC has at least one unit that sits inside a building (usually the air handler) with the compressor located outside.

Our Best Overall Value

AMS09 Alen Corporation 9,000 BTU Split Air Conditioner With 14.5 SEER AMS09 Alen Corporation 9,000 BTU Split Air Conditioner With 14.5 SEER
Alen AMS09 with a highly efficient 14.5 SEER rating that is strong enough to cool a room up to a size of 450 sq. ft.>> More Info

List Price: $999.00
Our Price: $799.00

Editors Performance Pick

AMS12 Alen Corporation 12,000 BTU Split Air Conditioner With 13.5 SEER AMS12 Alen Corporation 12,000 BTU Split Air Conditioner With 13.5 SEER
Highly efficient split AC the Alen AMS12 with 12,000 BTUs of cooling power and 259 CFM too!>> More Info

List Price: $1099.00
Our Price: $899.00
Soleus RT-135 Roof Top Air Conditioner with Electric Heat - 13,500 BTU Soleus RT-135 Roof Top Air Conditioner with Electric Heat - 13,500 BTU
Features 13,500BTU of cooling power output, and 6,800BTU of heating power. Perfect as a RV air conditioner. >> More Info

List Price: $799.00
Our Price: $699.95
AMS091HX Pridiom 9,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner With Wireless Remote AMS091HX Pridiom 9,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner With Wireless Remote
The Pridiom AMS091HX ductless mini split air conditioner system cools and heats single zones using inverter technology. >> More Info

List Price: $1429.00
Our Price: $1099.00
AMS121HX Pridiom 12,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner With Low Profile Design AMS121HX Pridiom 12,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner With Low Profile Design
The Pridiom AMS121HX ductless mini split air conditioner comes complete with an indoor unit, outdoor unit and an installation kit. >> More Info

List Price: $1559.00
Our Price: $1199.00
AMS181HX Pridiom 18,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner With Automatic Swing Louvers AMS181HX Pridiom 18,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner With Automatic Swing Louvers
The Pridiom AMS181HX ductless mini split air conditioner uses advanced inverter technology to keep areas cool and comfortable without wasting energy. >> More Info

List Price: $2208.99
Our Price: $1699.00
AMS241HX Pridiom 24,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner With Wireless Remote Control AMS241HX Pridiom 24,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner With Wireless Remote Control
The Pridiom AMS241HX ductless mini split air conditioner offers great flexibility for zonal cooling and heating of individual rooms. >> More Info

List Price: $2339.00
Our Price: $1799.00
AMS240HR Pridiom 24,000 BTU 13 SEER Mini Split Air Conditioner With 4.4 Pint Dehumidification Capacity AMS240HR Pridiom 24,000 BTU 13 SEER Mini Split Air Conditioner With 4.4 Pint Dehumidification Capacity
The Pridiom AMS240HR mini split air conditioner only cools or heats spaces where people are present to help conserve energy. >> More Info

List Price: $1949.00
Our Price: $1499.00
AMS180HR Pridiom 18,000 BTU 13 SEER Mini Split Air Conditioner With 2.99 Pint Dehumidification Capacity AMS180HR Pridiom 18,000 BTU 13 SEER Mini Split Air Conditioner With 2.99 Pint Dehumidification Capacity
The Pridiom AMS180HR mini split air conditioner conserves energy because zones can be turned off when no one is present or a timer can be set. >> More Info

List Price: $1819.00
Our Price: $1399.00
AMS120HR Pridiom 12,000 BTU 13 SEER Mini Split Air Conditioner With 2.11 Pint Dehumidification Capacity AMS120HR Pridiom 12,000 BTU 13 SEER Mini Split Air Conditioner With 2.11 Pint Dehumidification Capacity
The Pridiom AMS120HR mini split air conditioner comes with both indoor and outdoor units and heats/cools areas. >> More Info

List Price: $1299.00
Our Price: $999.00
AMD183HX Pridiom 18,000 BTU Dual Zone Mini Split Air Conditioner With 1.58 Pint Dehumidification Capacity AMD183HX Pridiom 18,000 BTU Dual Zone Mini Split Air Conditioner With 1.58 Pint Dehumidification Capacity
The Pridiom AMD183HX dual zone mini split air conditioner comes with 2 indoor units and 2 installation kits so you can control 2 separate zones. >> More Info

List Price: $2859.00
Our Price: $2199.00
AMD213HX Pridiom 21,000 BTU Dual Zone Mini Split Air Conditioner With Automatic Swinging Louvers AMD213HX Pridiom 21,000 BTU Dual Zone Mini Split Air Conditioner With Automatic Swinging Louvers
The Pridiom AMD213HX dual zone mini split air conditioner uses advanced inverter technology to maximize comfort and minimize energy costs. >> More Info

List Price: $2924.00
Our Price: $2249.00
AMD243HX Pridiom 24,000 BTU Dual Zone Mini Split Air Conditioner  With 2.11 Dehumidification Capacity AMD243HX Pridiom 24,000 BTU Dual Zone Mini Split Air Conditioner With 2.11 Dehumidification Capacity
The Pridiom AMD243HX dual zone mini split air conditioner features a timer setting that turns the unit off whenever you want. >> More Info

List Price: $2988.00
Our Price: $2299.00
AMS090HR Pridiom 9,000 BTU 13 SEER Mini Split Air Conditioner With 1.58 Dehumidification Capacity AMS090HR Pridiom 9,000 BTU 13 SEER Mini Split Air Conditioner With 1.58 Dehumidification Capacity
The Pridiom AMS090HR 13 SEER mini split air conditioner features a compressor that can be placed in a concealed area outside. >> More Info

List Price: $1104.00
Our Price: $849.00

Central Air Conditioners Vs. Split Air Conditioners

Choosing an air conditioner is an important decision. One needs to factor in the size of the house or room, power requirements, and most importantly, money. Let's be honest: air conditioning can get extremely expensive. If you don't have the proper unit for your needs, you could be overpaying for cool air.  Furthermore, customers are often confused between central AC units and split air conditioners.  Below are some key similarities and differences between the two:

What are Central and Split Air Conditioners?
A central air conditioner circulates cool air through a system of supply and return ducts. These supply ducts and registers (i.e., openings in the walls, floors, or ceilings covered by grills) then carry cooled air from the air conditioner throughout the entire home. This cooled air becomes warmer as it circulates through the home; then it flows back to the central air conditioner through return ducts and registers.  Most central air conditioners have the evaporator, condenser, and compressor all located in one cabinet, which usually is placed on a roof or on a concrete slab next to a building's foundation.

Split air conditioners are slightly different.  Like central air conditioners, they also utilize a split design but they're significantly easier and less expensive to install than central air conditioning. A split AC has at least one unit that sits inside a building (usually the air handler) with the compressor located outside. Therefore, because a split air conditioner's compressor sits outside, it's usually very quiet and efficient. Moreover, since mini splits have no ducts, they avoid the energy losses associated with the ductwork of central forced air systems.

In general, both types of air conditioners require professional installation and have their central unit placed outdoors, and split ACs are great for areas where there is no access to a window, as it gives you the ability to cool without needing a window unit or having to vent a portable AC.  Of course, they also provide effective circulation, allowing for continuous, cool air.

Key Differences
One of the biggest differences between central air conditioners and split AC is their cooling abilities. Split ACs give you the ability to install an air conditioner to individually cool only the most used rooms in a building instead of the entire house. Central air conditioning, on the other hand, can cool entire homes at the same temperature. This often uses more energy because the unit has to overcompensate for some rooms that tend to be warmer then others such as rooms located on a second story or rooms that have more direct sunlight.

Thus, this increases the cost of central air conditioning. Cooling an entire house is extremely expensive when compared to cooling just one room. This is why many people often tout the effectiveness of portable air conditioners or space heaters as they work great for individual room temperature control.

Installation is another importance cost to factor in. Central air conditioning requires the use of a thorough and effective duct system. Installing ducting can be extremely costly as it will run through the entire house or building. Split ACs use a limited form of ducting and installation usually consists of simply drilling a small hole through the wall and connecting refrigerant tubing for the cold to travel to. This tubing also greatly reduces cool air leakage, results in greater energy efficiency, and saves you money.

Environmental Impact
Energy use and environmental impact is another major difference between both types of air conditioners. Central air conditioners are notorious energy wasters and can be harmful to the environment. They also have a tendency to emit chlorine gas as well as other ozone damaging gasses during the cooling process; split ACs do not. In fact, it's often easier to find an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly split AC than it is to find a central air conditioning unit.

For more information on split air conditioners, see our split AC information page or read our portable cooling guide for more information on central air conditioning alternatives.