When you’re in the market to buy a new air conditioning system for your home or business, it’s quite easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of options that are available. From simple split and window units for homes, to central air conditioners for large areas and commercial ACs that are designed for some very different purposes, here are some of the most popular types of ACs that you should know of before zeroing in on one for your requirement.
Central Air Conditioners
Central air conditioners are used to control the temperature of a large area or of multiple rooms at once and are usually paired with modern HVAC systems to provide favourable conditions. These ACs use a split system that regulates air through ducts that are installed in every room, while the central unit is placed on the roof or on a concrete slab outside. It follows a method of structural cooling where the air cools the centralised unit before being circulated through the air vents.
Split AC (Duct-less)
Split ACs are the most popular kinds of air conditioners that are usually seen at homes. Similar to central ACs, these too consist of two units, one mounted outside and the other inside the room. The Split air conditioner’s power consumption is not that high when compared to central ACs. Split ACs are usually used when the cooling capacity required is not very high, for example for a single room, but the location lacks window space that can fit a traditional window AC.
Packaged Air Conditioners
Packaged air conditioners are popular ACs for commercial setups, where installing multiple split or window ACs is not exactly feasible. They are available in fixed rated capacities of 3, 5, 7, 10 and 15 tons and are most popularly installed in restaurants, cafes, shops and more.
Air Curtains
This is a kind of commercial AC unit that is most commonly installed at entrances or exists of supermarkets, shopping malls, theatres, and other similar locations. The unit consists of a strong blower that discharges air from the top to the bottom, creating an air seal that prevents outside air from penetrating into the store, and preserves the health, hygiene, and quality of the air inside. Air curtains also help keep unwanted elements, such as debris, pests, insects and other air pollutants from entering the premises.
While considering the above mentioned factors, also keep in mind to look at your budget and space limitations, as well as the energy consumption and cooling power of the AC to find the one that suits your requirements.
