Single rooms have several options when it comes to heating and cooling.
There are low-cost, short-term options that use more electricity and long-term, more expensive options which are cheaper to run.
Which heating and cooling unit are best will vary on budget, local weather extremes, and more.
So what are the best units for heating and cooling one room?
With the many options available, let’s break down each to see which one fits your scenario.
5 Best Ways to Heat and Cool a Single Room
- Window Air Conditioning Units
- Mini Split Heat Pump
- Portable Air Conditioners
- Space Heater
A window unit is the easiest to install since all the components are packaged into a single assembly.
These types of units are not as efficient as many other options but are a quick easy way to cool a space.
They are fairly easy to install as long as a window is available to place it in.
Window AC units are a good short-term option, but there are better types of units to choose from.
They are widely used and vary popular for cooling a room. They are low cost and relatively easy to install.
The downside to them is that they only cool and are not very efficient.
Since they will only cool, they will not do any good in the winter; a heat source will also be needed to keep a room warm when it is cold.
If you are looking for a combination of heat pump efficiency and ease of installation, then a window heat pump unit may be the best option.
Most units are affordable, about twice that of an air conditioning-only model.
A mini split unit is a very good long-term solution that also has a cheap operating cost.
Mini-splits have separate indoor and outdoor coils and have cooper lines feeding refrigerant between them. The copper lines transfer heat and cold into a room, depending on the setting.
The downside to a mini-split system is the initial cost and installation.
Mini-split units cost 3-5 times more than other units. Installation costs also need to be considered as they do require more skill to install.
If you are a home DIYer, then there are units that can be bought that come with everything needed to install it.
Portable air conditioners are easy to install and set up.
The units will have a 5-7 inch hose that can be fitted out a window or even up to the roof to pump out hot air.
They can be good in many scenarios, such as an apartment or a rental since they can be quickly packed up and taken with you.
These types of units are similar to a window unit but easier to move around and place in different locations.
Space heaters are cheap to buy but costly to run.
The way they generate heat, usually by heating up a ceramic element combined with a fan, is terribly inefficient.
Since the initial cost of a space heater is low, this may be a good option for a room that only needs heat once in a while.
If you need a long-term heating solution for a room, then a heat pump would be much better.
What is the Cheapest Way to Heat and Cool a Room?
A heat pump is the best way to heat and cool a single room as far as running cost and long-term durability.
New heat pump units have a very high efficient rating called a SEER rating which makes them use less energy and cost less to operate.
Heat pumps use electricity to circulate refrigerants the same as any air conditioning unit does.
When it becomes cold outside, the cycle is reversed to put out heat, warming up a room.
Heat pumps are cheap to run and last many years.
The downside to a heat pump is the initial cost to purchase, which can be 2-3 times higher than other options.
Mini-split heat pump units have become very popular since they have DIY kits and have high SEER ratings.
The two main heat pump types for a single room are the window units and mini-split units.
Summary
Since there are many options for heating and cooling a single room, the initial cost and long-term running cost need to be taken into account.
Where the room is located will also be a factor.
For example, a room addition that is attached to a home will be easier to heat and cool than one that is separate.
For long-term use, a mini-split heat pump unit would be the best option.