Which Type of Air Conditioning is Best?

At first glance, you may be forgiven if you think air conditioning is simply one method of cooling the air in a room. However, there are actually multiple methods of air conditioning and choosing between these will require knowing what you need for your space.

Multi-split AC

This type of air conditioning system is ideal for offices where you need individual controls. It allows each office to have its own control for the air outlet so they can determine just how cool they want the air. However, all the air outlets are connected to one outdoor heat pump unit.

All the outlets are chilled via refrigerant which pumps through the heat pump unit. There, the heat is dissipated and the cooler refrigerant moves back through the system to cool the air. This type of air conditioner is not as energy-intensive as using an individual heat pump unit per space, but it still uses a lot of energy.

This system is ideal when you have just four or five areas that need to be cooled.

Chilled Water System

In this situation, the air conditioner is set up behind the building or even on the roof. The water is cooled and then piped through the entire building. Depending on the system, it may use evaporator coils to help cool the air, thanks to the freshwater being used. It’s just above freezing, so the end effect is very chilly if you need it to be.

This method uses less energy and is quite practical overall. It can be used throughout an entire building, as well and is not limited to just a few offices.

Cooling Tower AC

In this type of system, cold water moves through a heat exchange. The hot air comes through the condenser coils and cold water cools them down. The water will evaporate and this helps cool everything down. Unfortunately, evaporation means the system only works as long as the water is topped off regularly.

The cooling tower’s efficiency depends greatly on how humid the air already is and how much water is in the system. It can use considerably less energy than other systems but is not as efficient in high humidity areas.

Air and Ground Heat Pumps

These systems use the ground or the air outside to pass off the heat and lower the temperature of the air moving back into the home. These systems are extremely eco-friendly and very energy efficient. They’re even more efficient if run through the damp ground, which will ensure the air coming into the home is quite cool.

As you can see, there are multiple choices when it comes to air conditioning systems. To learn more about your options, contact Ian Hobbs and we’ll help you explore the best choice for your needs.