When it comes to staying cool in the summer, few things are nicer than stepping into a cool, air-conditioned room. There are four main types of air conditioners found in homes, as well as the simple window models that can easily be installed by anyone. The four main systems are split air conditioners, heat pumps, mini-split systems, and packaged central air conditioners, and each style has its advantages and disadvantages.
The most common types of Air Conditioning systems are split systems. These have two main parts, one inside the home and the other outside. The inside unit is the evaporator coil, which is hidden by a cabinet. The outdoor unit houses the condenser coil and the compressor. The condenser coil gets rid of heat while the compressor sends refrigerant from the condenser and evaporator coils. There is a duct network, and a blower allows the air to circulate throughout the home.
Heat pumps are similar to the split systems, but not only can they cool homes when it is warm outside, they can also heat homes during the colder winter months. These systems are ideal for heating and cooling in milder areas, but are not the best choice for homes in areas where the temperatures dip below zero.
The only exception to this is if a geothermal heat pump is used, because it takes heat from the ground instead of from the air. This is something that must be installed by professional technicians.
A ductless mini-split system is ideal for homes where there is no ductwork. It has an outdoor and an indoor unit, which are mounted high. There are blowers, and the units are connected with tubing which sends the refrigerant back and forth between the units. The downfall to this type is that only one room can be cooled, so many units will be needed.
A packaged central Air Conditioning systems have everything housed in one unit. It is usually found on a roof or a concrete slab, and there is a system of ducts. Commonly found in commercial spaces, there are heating coils that also provide heat to the building.
