The main purpose of installing air conditioners in various types of spaces is to maintain the desired air parameters, such as temperature and humidity. Modern air conditioning units, while primarily designed to cool the air, can also provide heating.
To avoid making a mistake when selecting the right air conditioner, it’s best to consult with specialists. They will select the appropriate equipment, considering room characteristics like its height, area, purpose, availability of equipment, window placement, and required installation capacity. The types of air conditioners are chosen individually for each setting.
Split Systems
These units are quite popular and can be installed in apartments, shops, and offices. Split systems consist of an evaporator unit and a compressor-condenser unit. The first is mounted inside the building, and the second outside. They are connected by copper pipes with thermal insulation. Since one of the units is installed outside, the system is nearly silent. Split systems are also convenient because they don’t disrupt the design, which is crucial if the interior is already completed and the client doesn’t want to make any changes.
Multi-Split Systems
Multi-split systems consist of an outdoor unit connected to several indoor units, allowing for control of the microclimate in adjacent rooms. These systems are suitable for installation in offices and residential spaces. Indoor units can be wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted, and they can be cassette or ducted types.
It’s worth noting that multi-split systems with several indoor units operate autonomously, meaning they can either heat or cool the air.
These types of air conditioning units can be installed even when the outdoor unit cannot be mounted on the building facade.
Inverter Split Systems
The price of these systems is significantly higher than conventional split or multi-split systems. However, the higher cost is justified by their functionality. For example, these systems can automatically adjust cooling capacity to maintain a consistent temperature. This functionality significantly extends the lifespan of inverter split systems and reduces electricity costs.
Ducted Split Systems
These units are ideal for buildings where the microclimate needs to be controlled in multiple rooms. Although the ducted system operates in recirculation mode, it can partially mix in fresh air. The indoor unit is equipped with special fans that circulate and extract air. One of the key benefits of ducted split systems is that they can be easily installed behind a suspended ceiling or in a utility room. From there, the air travels through ducts, and the used air is directed to the indoor unit. After filtration, the cleaned air is reintroduced into the room.
Cassette Split Systems
If the room has suspended ceilings, cassette air conditioners are the best choice. Although these systems are mainly installed in industrial and public spaces, they can sometimes be used in residential settings. One advantage of such systems is their minimalistic appearance, which doesn’t attract too much attention. The working principle is straightforward: air enters through a special opening in the unit, gets cooled, and is then distributed in four directions. Thus, the most appropriate installation location for a cassette split system is in the center of the room.
Floor-Ceiling Split Systems
Floor-ceiling split systems help address air conditioning needs in rooms where other systems cannot be installed, such as when there are large windows. The system can be installed either on the floor or the ceiling. In the first case, cold air flows along the floor, while warm air flows downward; in the second case, cold air is directed upward, and warm air is blown parallel to the floor.
Column Split Systems
These units are installed in airports, large restaurants, shops, etc., where traditional split systems are not feasible. However, note that the size of the indoor unit is relatively large. Nonetheless, the power of such units makes it easy to air-condition large rooms.
Portable Air Conditioners
These units are relatively small, making them quite popular. They consist of a single indoor unit. Despite their size, portable air conditioners can effectively cool small apartments even during heatwaves. Installation is an ideal solution for rooms where conventional air conditioning systems can’t be installed. The air is expelled from the room through a flexible duct, and if there’s no condensate collector, water is sprayed and accumulates in a drainage system.
Industrial Multi-Zone Air Conditioners
These high-capacity systems are installed in buildings where climate conditions need to be maintained simultaneously in several dozen rooms (up to 50). The system consists of one outdoor unit and multiple indoor units (depending on the number of rooms, but no more than 50). Clients can choose the type of indoor unit—wall-mounted, floor-mounted, ducted, ceiling-mounted, or cassette.
VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) and VRV (Variable Refrigerant Volume) air conditioning systems are quite popular. These systems can maintain individual microclimates in each room. To set or adjust the parameters (not just temperature but also humidity), you only need to use a central controller.
This type of equipment allows for energy savings, offsetting the higher cost of VRF and VRV split systems.
