Most people assume that all air conditioner units are the same. While in theory, this is true there are different styles of unit available. Although the primary purpose of both rooftop and side yard air conditioners is to remove hot air from the home and cool it to reduce the overall temperature inside, these units do have individual characteristics and benefits. So, you need to know these details to decide which type of unit is best for your property. 
The Rooftop Air Conditioner Basics:
Generally, rooftop air conditioners are centralized cooling systems that differ from most side yard or split system air conditioners. As the name suggests, a rooftop unit is installed at the top of the home and routed through ductwork. This offers a number of benefits including that typically air will cycle through the home easier. Warm air will rise naturally, so a rooftop system doesn’t need to work as hard to draw in the warm air. Conversely, the cool air naturally descends, so the system doesn’t need to force the cooled air through the ducts as hard. This leads to less energy being consumed, allowing you to keep cool and reduce your energy bills.
Another advantage of rooftop air conditioners is that they tend to be all inclusive. Unlike side yard systems where components are installed inside and outside the home, a rooftop unit is all in one. This makes maintenance and repairs easier, as the source of the problem will be immediately obvious. Newer systems are also more compact and smaller, which increases efficiency and makes them a more viable option for many homes.
The Side Yard Air Conditioner Basics:
Most of us are familiar with side yard or split system air conditioners. They involve having an outdoor unit placed in your yard connected to indoor wall mounted units. While this does require more components, there are some advantages to this type of system. The most obvious is that this type of system is more diverse. This means that there are more options available to customize the system to the unique characteristics of your home. There are a plethora of options including different sizes, power capacities, and brands to choose from. This means that you can select an optimally sized and efficient system with ease.
This variety of options means that there are greater possibilities for repair and replacement components. Additionally, since there are two primary elements to this type of system, if one fails it can be replaced without needing to replace the other. This reduces the overall replacement cost, but some consumers take the opportunity to replace both and get a great deal.
Finally, side yard systems tend to be quieter. Although rooftop systems have become more aesthetically pleasing in recent years with a smaller profile, split system units have become quieter as they developed. This can provide a massive benefit to homeowners who have an outdoor unit installed near their bedroom or a neighbor. You can run your air conditioner on even the hottest night without disturbing anyone.
If you are still unsure about whether a rooftop or side yard system would be best for your property, you should speak to a professional HVAC specialist, who can help you assess the pros and cons.