Hot and humid summers can be made tolerable with air conditioners. Nowadays there are several types of air conditioners to choose from. Till a few decades ago, window air conditioners were the only choice. Then came the split air conditioners, i.e., air conditioners that have part of the unit installed outdoors, on the roofs or window sunshades, and lately the new mobile or portable air conditioners. These, of course, are the choices presuming centralized air conditioning is not necessary or not feasible. Centralized air conditioning is usually confined to hospitality industry, and health care industry, apart from banks and offices. Some rich individuals do opt for centralized air conditioning, but it truly does not make financial sense because it is not utilized to optimum level in such cases, and it may lead to large sums of money leaving every month in the form of utility bills.

Therefore, air conditioners suitable for homes would essentially be window air conditioners, split air conditioners, and mobile air conditioners, presuming that the energy utilization and environmental friendliness of all the three are alike. All three are available in various sizes, i.e., capacity in tons suiting to different sizes of rooms. But technology related to mobile air conditioners is still new. It may not also be effective in making the entire room as cool as the other two. Moreover, mobile air conditioners use up floor space, which can pose a problem, especially in smaller homes. Average family, after all, uses air conditioners only when the climate is truly hot and unbearable.

This limits the choice to split air conditioners, and window air conditioners. Split air conditioners have been promoted as quieter units because their main machines, i.e., compressor units, are outside and only the cold air blower is installed indoors. That, perhaps, is the major advantage. Other advantage of split air conditioner is that it does not require a special opening like a window. Window air conditioners do use up that bit of window in all seasons, or an opening is needed in the wall to fit the window air conditioner. But the disadvantage of split air conditioners is that they look like odd protrusions on the walls, since they are mounted on the wall. They also require more effort and skills to install, and are not exactly maintenance free. Moreover, split air conditioners are more expensive when compared to window air conditioners. Because of this, window air conditioners still remain the choice for common house holds, and small time office establishments. Parts are also expensive for split air conditioners, and difficult to obtain at times. This means, the buyer might have to wait a few more years, may be even decades, till split air conditioners replace window air conditioners in all respects.

Therefore, the buyer is left with only one option, i.e., the window air conditioner. Of course, there are disadvantages associated with this type, like a part of the window and view being blocked all the time. But latest technologies have transformed these ancient models into compact window air conditioners. Small window air conditioners are not as objectionable as the larger ones that were there hitherto. Even the noise generated has been brought down by improved designs. Stylish and sleek models using new technologies and materials have been introduced in the market. Though there is a possibility of some cool air leakage from window air conditioners due to poor sealing, there are methods to minimize this. Finally, there is the cost advantage, which makes window air conditioners are worth the buy, even though air conditioner sellers are hard selling split air conditioners.