What is a Sunroom?
A sunroom is a greenhouse-like area in the property where you can sit and relax while soaking up natural light. Sunrooms have become increasingly popular over the years as more people value natural aesthetics in the home. These rooms are also available in commercial areas, such as malls, restaurants, and resorts.
There are two reasons to place an air conditioning unit in a sunroom: one is to keep the sunroom warm during winter time, where the sunroom may have plants and vegetation that are sensitive to the cold, the second reason is to keep the room cool, as sunrooms take in direct sunlight, which can greatly warm the room.
Factors to Consider
Space Requirements
Most sunrooms are relatively small rooms, spanning from 100 square feet to around 500 square feet for bigger sunrooms. The type, model, and cooling capacity of your air conditioner must match the space requirements needed to effectively condition the air indoors.
Space is especially important in choosing your cooling options as sunrooms tend to get particularly warm during summer months. Sunrooms are exposed to direct sunlight, increasing the temperature of the room as well, so you will need to take this factor into account when purchasing an air conditioning system.
Heating and Cooling Options
Sunrooms get warm during the day, and cool at night. The indoor temperature also changes throughout the seasons, making it a challenge to install an appropriate air conditioning system. Consider purchasing a ductless mini split system, or window air conditioners that have heating and cooling options to optimize your unit.
Type of Air Conditioning Unit
There are multiple types of air conditioning systems to choose from depending on the space requirements and available area in your sunroom. From a window air conditioning unit to a ductless mini split system, there are various brands and options for your ideal cooling solution.
You should, however, optimize the space and efficiency of the AC unit. For instance, a portable heating and cooling system may be convenient to move from place to place, but they take up much-needed floor space. Similarly, your sunroom may not have sturdy space to install wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted systems.
Energy Efficient
Because your heating and cooling system will be opposing the outdoor temperature, you will need a more powerful unit to efficiently warm or cool your sunroom. This often translates to higher energy bills and electricity consumption, but inverter models, and energy efficient systems with separate thermostat can help minimize the costs.
Looking for tent aircons? Click here.
Best Air Conditioning for Sunroom
1. BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner with Heating and Cooling, 14,000 BTU - $815.28
This BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner is one of the most powerful portable units in the market with a 14,000 BTU rating capable of cooling up to 500 square feet. The unit comes with both heating and cooling capabilities, and can be used in place of space heaters and central heating HVAC systems.
The plug-and-play model is easy to install, and has a remote control for convenient operations. It is also cost effective at around $800 for a 14,000 BTU system. It has a washable filter and dehumidifier, as well as casters for mobility.
2. MRCOOL - DIY-12-HP-115B25 DIY 12k BTU 22 SEER Ductless Heat Pump Split System 3rd Generation - $2,178.56
MRCOOL Mini Split systems are known for DIY installations, and the same goes for this model. This ductless mini split features both heating and cooling options, and is easy to install with a DIY installation kit. It offers sunroom heating and cooling with Smart technology, so you can optimize the indoor unit based on the outdoor temperature.
At 22 SEER, this unit is energy efficient, cost-effective, and can be used in place of a space heater and portable unit. It has wi-fi controls, and can connect to Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for convenience.
3. LG Mounted 8,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner - $227.10
The LG Window-mounted Air Conditioner is a cost-efficient cooling option that features 3 cooling and fan speeds, electronic control, and auto-restart functions to upkeep your cooling comfort. While it does not have heating capacity, this model is great for cooling spaces of up to 350 square feet.
4. Cooper&Hunter Dual 2 Zone 12000 12000 Ductless Mini Split Ceiling Cassette Air Conditioner Heat Pump Multi Sophia Series
This model by Cooper&Hunter has options ranging from 12,000 BTU to 24,000 BTU, making it a versatile option for any type of room. As an air conditioner for the sunroom, this unit can keep spaces of up to 400 square feet!
Get Professional Assistance
Whether it's for your sunroom, bedroom, or den, installing the right type of heating and cooling system will provide you with the best comfort. Don't fret the options, and contact us at Luce for assistance on purchasing, installing, and maintaining your unit. Our team will be more than happy to assist you in all things HVAC!
Contact us today, and we'll match you with an HVAC unit that fits your requirements!