When looking for some relief from the heat, buying a simple window air conditioner can sound very tempting. For homeowners and building owners, though, central air is a much better way to go.

Whether for a residential or commercial hvac system, central air requires professional installation, and the initial installation costs can be in the thousands, which can be a bit intimidating to some. If you are planning on staying in that property for a while, the reward will be well worth the investment.

1. Breathe Easier

One of central air’s biggest benefits over window units is their improved air quality. Simply put, there is little room inside a window unit for the hot air to hit the cooling coil and come out cold. It receives some basic filtration, but the machine is also pulling in so much dirt and dust from the air. Central air, on the other hand, offers a much more sophisticated filtration system. Because the unit is hooked up directly to the ventilation system in the home, it is able to clean lint, dander, and other airborne particles and circulate fresh air throughout.

2. Less Noise

Another benefit to central air is their noise, or lack thereof. A window unit has to fit the evaporator coil and all the fans and motors into one box, with only a thin layer of metal or plastic to contain the noise. Plus, it requires your window to be partially open, letting in more sound. The central air unit is divided into two parts, with the condenser coil, compressor, and fan outside. Inside the building are the AC evaporator coil, filter, and blower. The part you keep in your building is often found in a basement or an attic, where it will cause the least distraction.

3. Wider Reach

Without a doubt, the best part of air conditioning is just being in a room and enjoying it. If you use window units, you either have to buy a bunch for each room in the building, or suffer through rooms that won’t be cooled. Most window units aren’t powerful enough to cool open rooms like kitchens and living rooms, places people likely spend time.

Luckily, this is not the case with central air. The AC unit is hooked up just like you heating system heat your house. Any room that you can make hot in the winter, you can make cold in the summer. With central air, you can control the temperature of your entire home year-round.

4. Less Work

This benefit may not mean as much to everyone, but for some, it could be worth the price of installation alone. Window units have to be moved at the beginning and end of each cooling season. This can mean a lot of heavy lifting, sometimes up and down stairs. Plus, you have to deal with that uncomfortable moment when you balance the heavy air conditioner on the windowsill, afraid it will fall outside.

Professionals will take care of the one-time installation of your central air conditioning. It can stay outside all year long and is ready in case of a hot day before you would have typically put in your window unit. All you have to do is enjoy it.