The big aircon question: window type or split type?
It’s time to get a new aircon! Whether it’s your first one ever or another one to add to the bunch, it’s always good to think about what kind of aircon would best suit your needs. In this article, we’ll help you figure out if you should pick a window type or split type aircon for your home!
April 23, 2025
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Installation
If you’re the kind of person who enjoys do-it-yourself projects (or don’t want to pay someone to do it for you), you’ll definitely want a window type aircon. A split type aircon will need a licensed professional technician to install a split type aircon for you because of its multiple parts and systems.

Initial Costs
Naturally, the window type is the more affordable of the two, only beaten out perhaps by the portable aircon in terms of pure initial price. The split type aircon will require a more substantial initial investment, but…
Long Term Costs
The split type aircon eventually ends up providing better cost savings on electricity than the window type aircon with generally more efficient and widespread room cooling. However, because the periodic maintenance will need the expertise of a technician, that is one more thing to consider when calculating the costs over time. Of course, depending on how much you use your aircon, it may be possible that a window type aircon can accrue lower costs than a split type in the long run if you don’t use it too often.
Energy Efficiency
It’s because of its better energy efficiency that the split type aircon can offer lower long run energy costs. While window type aircons can be efficient in their own right (especially if they’re the inverter type instead of the non-inverter type, but that’s a topic for a different article!) split type aircons will generally be more energy efficient.

Flexibility of Placement
The split type aircon consists of an indoor component and an outdoor component, both of which add to the split type’s placement flexibility. The indoor part can be placed pretty much against any wall where it can spread cold air from above while the outdoor part can be placed on a roof, at the back of your house, on your balcony, and even inside your garage. The window type aircon is limited to any hole provisions you have; if you don’t have any, you’ll have to cut and drill an appropriately sized hole into one of your walls.
Other Provisions & Requirements
In terms of other things to consider, the window type aircon is relatively hassle free. Window types are all-in-one units that can be easily cleaned by yourself. Split type aircons however need additional things like circuit breakers for safety, piping and electrical provisions, and the aforementioned professional periodic maintenance.
Window Type | Split Type | |
---|---|---|
Installation | Possible to do it yourself | Requires licensed professional technician |
Initial Purchase Cost | Usually less expensive | Usually more expensive |
Long Term Costs* | More costly | Less costly |
Energy efficiency | Usually lower | Usually higher |
Maintenance costs | Low to non-existent if you do it yourself | Higher due to requiring a professional technician |
Flexibility of Placement | Depends on hole provision | Can be placed pretty much anywhere where there is enough space |
Other provisions/requirements & notes | No other provisions needed, all-in-one unit, easy to clean | Needs circuit breaker, piping and electrical provisions, and professional periodic maintenance |

As you can see, there are different pros and cons to each; it’s not always as simple as one being more affordable or more efficient aircon in the Philippines. Hopefully, the information provided here can help you make a more informed decision when picking out your next aircon, especially if it’s from the best aircon in the Philippines!