The Different Types of Air Conditioning Systems

Comfort is a luxury that every human being craves. Whether it’s at home, on the road or in the office, we always strive to make sure that we are comfortable. When it’s hot outside, one way of achieving this is through air conditioning. Commonly interpreted by many as the cooling of air, air conditioning is more about altering the properties of air, primarily temperature and humidity, in order to achieve comfortable indoor air quality. Here are the major types of air conditioners that you can use at home:

 

Window Unit System 

 

This is a self-contained air conditioner that is placed in a window or through a hole in an exterior wall. Generally, it ejects hot air through one end and blows in cool air through the other. This is achieved by two fans. One blows over the evaporator to draw heat from the interior and the other blows cooler outside air over the condenser.  Its benefits include:

 

• Easy installation
• Good overall affordability
• Low energy costs
• Room-by-room control

 

Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC)/ Wall-Split System 

 

This breaks the air conditioning system into two terminal units, the evaporative unit on the interior and the condensing unit on the exterior, with an opening passing through the wall and connecting them. Its benefits include:

 

• Easy installation
• Room-by-room temperature control
• Low purchase cost per unit
• Energy efficient

 

Mini-Split (Ductless) System 

 

This combines an outside compressor with one or more indoor air-handling units. The units are mounted high on the wall and have blowers attached. Tubing that allows refrigerant passage connects the units with the outside compressor.  Its benefits include:

 

• Efficient heating and cooling
• Easy, low-cost installation
• Quiet operation
• Easy to operate

 

Central (Ducted) System 

 

This is a whole-house air conditioner. It uses a heat exchanger that is placed inside the central AC unit of the forced air heating system which is then used to distribute chilled air through the building.  Its benefits include:

 

• Whole-building temperature control
• Even air distribution
• Quiet operation
• Easy operation

 

For more information on air conditioning installation and service, please call Premier Heating and Cooling today: 519-245-5945.