how split ac units work

A window air conditioner unit implements a complete air conditioner in a small space. The units are made small enough to fit into a standard window frame. You close the window down on the unit, plug it in and turn it on to get cool air. If you take the cover off of an unplugged window unit, you'll find that it contains: The fans blow air over the coils to improve their ability to dissipate heat (to the outside air) and cold (to the room being cooled). Gas vs. Electric Stoves: Which is really more efficient? Magnetic Air Conditioners: A High Tech Way Of Keeping Cool What natural gas home appliances are available? Should all of my appliances come from the same manufacturer? Is stainless steel on its way out? When you get into larger air-conditioning applications, its time to start looking at split-system units. A split-system air conditioner splits the hot side from the cold side of the system, as in the diagram below. The cold side, consisting of the expansion valve and the cold coil, is generally placed into a furnace or some other air handler.

The air handler blows air through the coil and routes the air throughout the building using a series of ducts. The hot side, known as the condensing unit, lives outside the building. The unit consists of a long, spiral coil shaped like a cylinder. Inside the coil is a fan, to blow air through the coil, along with a weather-resistant compressor and some control logic. This approach has evolved over the years because it's low-cost, and also because it normally results in reduced noise inside the house (at the expense of increased noise outside the house). Other than the fact that the hot and cold sides are split apart and the capacity is higher (making the coils and compressor larger), there's no difference between a split-system and a window air conditioner. In warehouses, large business offices, malls, big department stores and other sizeable buildings, the condensing unit normally lives on the roof and can be quite massive. Alternatively, there may be many smaller units on the roof, each attached inside to a small air handler that cools a specific zone in the building.

In larger buildings and particularly in multi-story buildings, the split-system approach begins to run into problems. Either running the pipe between the condenser and the air handler exceeds distance limitations (runs that are too long start to cause lubrication difficulties in the compressor), or the amount of duct work and the length of ducts becomes unmanageable. At this point, it's time to think about a chilled-water system.Looking to find HVAC contractors in your area? Get free quotes » Everyone likes to come home to a refreshingly cool house in the summertime heat and humidity. While not everyone is fortunate enough to have central air conditioning, many people utilize window units. Still, there are places in your home that are not fit for window air conditioner units. If you’re looking for an unobtrusive way to bring more cool air into your home, a split air conditioner system might be the perfect answer for your temperature-regulating problems.What is a Split Air Conditioner System?

A split air conditioner consists of two main parts: the outdoor unit and the indoor unit.
average cost of ac unit replacementThe outdoor unit is installed on or near the wall outside of the room or space that you wish to cool.
central air conditioner brands listThe unit houses the compressor, condenser coil and the expansion coil or capillary tubing.
buy used air conditioning unitsThe sleek-looking indoor unit contains the cooling coil, a long blower and an air filter.How is a Split Air Conditioner Different From Other A/C Units?A split air conditioner does not require major installation work because it does not require ductwork. Rather, the indoor and outdoor units are connected with a set of electrical wires and tubing.

This is good for your wallet and the environment. The ductwork required for many traditional A/C units generally increases energy expenditures, as many centralized A/C units lose a lot of energy due to heat exchange in the air duct system. So, without a duct system, there is very little opportunity for heat or energy loss in a split air conditioner system.Benefits of a Split Air Conditioning SystemThis kind of air conditioner system has many advantages over traditional air conditioners. Perhaps the most obvious benefit is the quiet performance of a split air conditioner system. The parts of an air conditioner that make the most noise are the compressor and the fan that cools the condenser. In a split system, the compressor and fan for the condenser are located outside of the room being cooled and therefore the majorsources of noise are removed - unlike with window units.Another benefit of a split air conditioner system is that you can opt for a multi-split system, where you can have more than one indoor unit connected to a single outdoor unit.

This makes it easy to cool multiple rooms or maintain the temperature throughout a large room through the use of two indoor cooling units.A split air conditioner is an efficient and cost-effective way to cool your home. It should be noted that the initial cost of this kind of air conditioning unit is significantly higher than a window unit and it does require professional installation. However, the amount of money you will save on your energy bills as well as the longevity of the unit will make it worth your while in the end.Author Sirena Rubinoff is a writer based in California. She specializes in budget decorating solutions. AskSirena how to decorate for less. Looking to find HVAC contractors in your area? You are here » Ductless Mini-Split Air ConditionersHeating & Cooling 101 How Central AC Systems Work The typical central air conditioning system is a split system, with an outdoor air conditioning, or "compressor-bearing unit" and an indoor coil, which is usually installed on top of the furnace in the home.

Using electricity as its power source, the compressor pumps refrigerant through the system to gather heat and moisture from indoors and remove it from the home. Heat and moisture are removed from the home when warm air from inside the home is blown over the cooled indoor coil. The heat in the air transfers to the coil, thereby "cooling" the air. The heat that has transferred to the coil is then "pumped" to the exterior of the home, while the cooled air is pumped back inside, helping to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. Central air conditioning can also be provided through a package unit or a Indoor comfort during warm weather – Central air conditioning helps keep your home cool and reduces humidity levels. Cleaner air – As your central air conditioning system draws air out of various rooms in the house through return air ducts, the air is pulled through an air filter, which removes airborne particles such as dust and lint. Sophisticated filters may remove microscopic pollutants, as well.