Types of Air Conditioning Systems

Written by:  • Edited by: Lamar Stonecypher
Updated Feb 7, 2010
• Related Guides: Air Conditioning

The HVAC designer will recommend different types of air conditioning systems for different applications. These have been described in this article. The most commonly used air conditioning units are window and split air conditioners.

Types of Air Conditioners

There are various types of air conditioning systems. The application of a particular type of system depends upon a number of factors like how large the area is to be cooled, the total heat generated inside the enclosed area, etc. An HVAC designer would consider all the related parameters and suggest the system most suitable for your space.

Window Air Conditioner

Window air conditioner is the most commonly used air conditioner for single rooms. In this air conditioner all the components, namely the compressor, condenser, expansion valve or coil, evaporator and cooling coil are enclosed in a single box. This unit is fitted in a slot made in the wall of the room, or often a window sill.

Must Read: Parts of Window Air Conditioners

Split Air Conditioner

The split air conditioner comprises of two parts: the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. The outdoor unit, fitted outside the room, houses components like the compressor, condenser and expansion valve. The indoor unit comprises the evaporator or cooling coil and the cooling fan. For this unit you don’t have to make any slot in the wall of the room. Further, the present day split units have aesthetic looks and add to the beauty of the room. The split air conditioner can be used to cool one or two rooms.

Must read:

1) Parts of Split Air Conditioners

2) Installation of Split Air Conditioners

Packaged Air Conditioner

Packaged air conditioner: An HVAC designer will suggest this type of air conditioner if you want to cool more than two rooms or a larger space at your home or office. There are two possible arrangements with the package unit. In the first one, all the components, namely the compressor, condenser (which can be air cooled or water cooled), expansion valve and evaporator are housed in a single box. The cooled air is thrown by the high capacity blower, and it flows through the ducts laid through various rooms. In the second arrangement, the compressor and condenser are housed in one casing. The compressed gas passes through individual units, comprised of the expansion valve and cooling coil, located in various rooms.

Must read:

1) Packaged Air Conditioners - Types of Packaged AC

2) Compressors and Capacity Control System in the Packaged Air Conditioners

Central Air Conditioning System

4) Central air conditioning system: The central air conditioning system is used for cooling big buildings, houses, offices, entire hotels, gyms, movie theaters, factories etc. If the whole building is to be air conditioned, HVAC engineers find that putting individual units in each of the rooms is very expensive initially as well in the long run. The central air conditioning system is comprised of a huge compressor that has the capacity to produce hundreds of tons of air conditioning. Cooling big halls, malls, huge spaces, galleries etc is usually only feasible with central conditioning units.

Must Read:

1) Central Air Conditioning Plants

2) Direct Expansion or DX Type of Central Air Conditioning Plant

3) Chilled Water Type of Central Air Conditioning Plant

Types of Air Conditioners

Window ACSplit ACPackaged ACCentral AC

Comments

Showing all 85 comments
 
Muhammadshehzad Jan 27, 2012 4:54 AM
RE: Types of Air Conditioning Systems
pls kindly give me the theory of instalation of pakege type air conditioner.
Muhammadshehzad Jan 27, 2012 4:45 AM
RE: Types of Air Conditioning Systems
the window type ac whos capacity is 1.5 ton get 11amp   and split AC cpacity is 1.5ton get 8 to 9 amp
Moeen Khan Dec 8, 2011 11:16 AM
RE: Types of Air Conditioning Systems
Dear Pabitra ,<br><br>Window ac is maintanance free you use freely ruf &amp; tuff but window electrcity consume greater then split ac,<br>when window start its noise faster then split ac.<br>Split ac require maintanance frequently, split ac noiseless, consume electricity better than window means you save electricity<br><br>Regards<br><br>Moeen Khan <br><br>
Moeen Khan Dec 8, 2011 11:09 AM
RE: Types of Air Conditioning Systems
Dear Miss Navina,<br><br>Actually air curtain works in shopping mall hotels , seminar hall etc  when air curtain start cooling stay in hall not cross in gate, mostly shopping malls , hotels of entrance gate is openly thats why install air curtain<br><br>If your company main entrance openly certain time then your instal air curtain at main centre gate this is good idea &amp; safe cooling .<br><br>Regards<br><br>Moeen Khan<br>moeen.khanturk1@hotmail.com<br><br>
Moeen Khan Dec 8, 2011 10:48 AM
RE: Types of Air Conditioning Systems
Dear ,<br><br>Please intall  ac unit at main centre wall of the room any one, secondly one exhaust fan install b/w two room wall , when you start split ac , exhaust fan suction both of the room<br><br>Regards<br><br><br>Moeen Khan <br>moeen.khanturk1@hotmail.com<br><br><br><br>
Moeen Khan Dec 8, 2011 10:36 AM
RE: Types of Air Conditioning Systems
Dear Mr. Timothy,<br><br>Simple type formula to calculate cooling load detail as,<br><br>a- 1 ton cooling load coverd appoximate 144 square feet area<br>b-  You calculate total covered area and divide 144 then cooling load is available <br><br>For eg Hall total covered area 5000 square feet : 5000/144= 34.72 TR<br><br>Regards<br><br>Moeen Khan<br>moeen.khanturk1@hotmail.com
1234shahid Oct 26, 2011 3:56 PM
RE: Types of Air Conditioning Systems
split.<br>
Pronaj Oct 25, 2011 8:17 AM
RE: Types of Air Conditioning Systems
Hello, can we install a DX package unit without the thermal expansion valve, and what are the consequences if we did so on the compressor.
world cup Oct 23, 2011 11:13 AM
RE: Types of Air Conditioning Systems
Actually i want to put 1.5t  a.c in between of two rooms, was it safe, buy the way the measurement of two rooms is 140sqft(70+70)kindly Suggest me some one Thanks!
Navina Oct 8, 2011 3:33 AM
What is air carton
just i heard about air carton.....
actualy i need one cooling system for ma office which can fix on door. kindly suggest me.
Timothy Sep 16, 2011 12:02 PM
Air Conditioning capacity
Please,kindly provide me a complete design formular on how to calculate for the AC in a large space that will be use for hall.
Pabitra Chandra Paul Aug 22, 2011 11:28 PM
AC
Which I can prefer to use in my room?----split type or window type AC.
kola Jul 24, 2011 1:37 PM
air-conditioning power
Hi,
i'm doing a write-up on the design of air-conditioning system. I'm having problem with the right formula to calculate the power, capacity, efficiency of the proposed AC. i'm proposing outdoor temp (UK) of 79F and inside temp of 69.5F and outdoor daily range of 16. I know i can count on you at this critical time.
Avijit Sengpta Jul 8, 2011 10:08 PM
power consumption
please tell me that-
1 Ton window or split type A.C=
(i) how much kW consume? and
(ii) ampere getting?
Ajeet Jun 24, 2011 5:39 AM
two room connection thru single split AC
can i get two room AC connection thru a single split AC compressor.
ivette Jun 6, 2011 12:55 PM
slip units to a single unit
Dear Sir, I have a two units on for the downstairs area and one for the upstairs area, each have a themostat. I would like to know if its possible to change the two units to a single unit?? One a/c unit for the whole house..
Mike Apr 5, 2011 7:07 PM
RE: Types of Air Conditioning Systems
I am looking for a wall unit. Not a window unit. To install on a plane wall and not in a window space. Who can help me? Thank you.
Mini Spits Guide Mar 18, 2011 8:49 AM
Air Conditioner
What is the best brand of ductless mini splits?
sathanathan arul Mar 6, 2011 1:24 PM
split ac system one outdoor with 2 indoor
i want know the is there avilable from one outdoor system its coming 2 indoor system.

kindly give me reply its urgent.
francis Feb 8, 2011 7:58 PM
hvac design
.can u send me a samples of hvac design. the load calculations etc.
ramnarayan chandrashekar Jan 29, 2011 6:25 AM
WATER COOLED VRV
PLS PROVIDE ME WITH ALL TECHNICAL DETAILS OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED AIRCONDITIONING SYSTEM
ramnarayan chandrashekar Jan 29, 2011 6:23 AM
diffirent types of air condiioners
Pls email compartives on the different types of air conditioners avaliable in the market it selection process & cost/ton,sq feet
Abhishek Srivastava Jan 29, 2011 4:37 AM
Window Split ac
Dear Sir,

Yesterday I have heared about window split AC. Can you explain me what type of AC it is all about.
SIVAKUMAR Jan 18, 2011 10:00 AM
please answer
WHAT is different of A.H.U & F.C.U. PL'S EXPLAIN FOR ME.
md khalid sabih Nov 11, 2010 2:46 PM
superb note
well explained in simple language
imranahmed Oct 19, 2010 8:54 AM
A/C Unit for a vessel
Dear Roger, if Vessel means ship, then you can use floor standing "WATER COOLED PACKAGED UNIT" these units are specially designed for the ships which in sea or river water is used for the condenser cooling (means no out door unit is required).
Roger Oct 6, 2010 3:36 AM
electrical room on a vessel
looking for a unit i can use on one of our vessel in the MCC room. we have 1,5MVA transfomers, 2 80 KVA UPS and VSD's in this rooms. the temp. ranges between 37-40 degrees and the air is very humid.what unit can i use to achieve a 18 degrees clean dry air,the room is 14x7x4 m2
Idrees Oct 3, 2010 3:39 AM
Air condition and the operating frequency
Can a split unit air condition designed to at 220 V 60 Hz be operated at 220V 50 Hz?
shegeo Sep 28, 2010 11:49 AM
nice
Simple and well explained . Thanksss
Thami Xulu Sep 17, 2010 12:24 PM
RE: Types of Air Conditioning Systems
No no no nice work, well explained, I like it!!!!! Thanks!!!!!!!!
SARAVANAN Sep 16, 2010 10:47 AM
REFRIGERATOR
WHY REFRIGERATOR COMPRESSOR R BELT DRIVE & A.C COMPRESSOR R SHAFT DRIVE?
Ingrams Sep 14, 2010 2:25 PM
Proper Maintenance
Hai Jonathan I think HVAC System are the best.If You Buy any AC the proper maintenance increase life and reduces or saves your energy
jonathan Sep 12, 2010 6:24 PM
Hello
I will like know in the air conditioner which one is the best.
sharma Sep 11, 2010 4:25 AM
RE: Types of Air Conditioning Systems
well explained
Om Thoke Jul 27, 2010 3:23 PM
nice work
Indeed, well explained :)
anthony Jul 16, 2010 3:12 PM
split a/c
Dear sir,
Please give me some advice, I have split a/c it's getting low side high pressure.I have been changed new compresser also. but it's same.gas charged 65 psi, after 15 miniuts increseing pressour 90 psi.please guide me.
Thanks and regards,
Anthony.
Fathi Yazid Jul 7, 2010 7:58 AM
split air condition design
Dear Sir
i want to design and calculate the airconditioning
and heating ,cooling system of a certain building .Please guide me. Thank you very much
bing Jun 29, 2010 4:07 AM
design & calculate
I want to design and calculate the airconditioning and heating ,cooling system of a certain building .Please guide me. Thank you very much
jessi Jun 24, 2010 10:36 AM
hvac
how do i know hvac controls?
Pramod Jun 24, 2010 4:51 AM
split a/c pipe
why do we require mimnum 5 meter copper pipe in split airconditioners ,where as window aircondtioner doesn;t require .compements seems to be same in both the units
donski Jun 22, 2010 3:44 AM
FCU
Hi Sir I would like to know when will I put a fcu in a room in a chilled water central air conditioning plant. Because some design ive seen was just a duct coming from AHU, and some has a fcu provided with a conditioned air from AHU. Can you provide me some calculations and explanations why sometimes it still needed to use a FCU when an air is cooled already in the AHU using a Chilled water? Thank you so much.
N.K.Garmade Jun 5, 2010 8:19 AM
RE: Types of Air Conditioning Systems
What is slip on air conditioner
sanjay May 25, 2010 1:26 AM
Temprature of running compressor
Sir,
How much max. body tempreture of running reciprocating compressor like a deep fridge.
bal May 5, 2010 11:34 AM
RE: Types of Air Conditioning Systems
Which system is better in terms of cooling efficiency and durability: split or window? Is it true that split ac always deteriorates in performance over a few years, may be a couple? I am not naming brands here, but speaking in general.
Meysam Apr 6, 2010 10:04 AM
hospital
I want to design and calculate the air conditioning and heating and cooling system of a hospital.Please guide me.Thank you so much.
Ragu Apr 5, 2010 3:16 AM
HVAC
Any one intersted to know / learn about HVAC do mail me at
ragumuthu@gmail.com

with your questions..

I am Practicising professional in building services engineering.

I will try my best to reply your questions with the possible best answers.

thanks & regards

ragu
syed Apr 3, 2010 3:55 AM
cost
i want to get exact cost for Ac system, that is unit price, labour, materils used, labour, trnsportaion, overheads, profit.

please give me how much percentage for each item.
muthu Mar 19, 2010 1:57 AM
compresser
i want new technic impliment in compresser at thermal power station
muthu Mar 19, 2010 1:54 AM
project
i want some idea of project work in thermal power plant ....
mohammed shabeeb Mar 5, 2010 12:50 PM
RE: Types of Air Conditioning Systems
dear sir..

if we calculate the cfm from one diffuser there have some obstructions like some leaves, how can avoid this things when i calculate the area.
Haresh Khemani Feb 22, 2010 7:46 AM
Advantages of high wall...
Dear Charles, the advantage of using high wall split unit is that the independent units can in installed in each and every room. If any unit fails, the other units will keep on running. With the failure of the central unit, the air conditioning system of the whole hospital or theater rooms will come to halt. You should consider the capital cost and operating costs of both the systems.
charles Zaruma Feb 18, 2010 12:35 PM
Advantages Of using High Wall Split Units Over Centralised Units
What are the advantages of using high wall split air conditioner over Centralised Air conditioner say at a hospital in theater rooms ?
Jan Feb 10, 2010 9:41 AM
how to know if my ac compressor is grounded and defective?
sir,

gud day, may i ask you how to know if my ac compressor is grounded using the multi tester only? what it is reading? what is the specs of the compressor resistant of a 10 tonner capacity ac in ohms? thanks a lot sir
w.d. benton Jan 12, 2010 11:05 AM
a.c. compresser
I would like to know the 4 types of
a.c. compressers?
VIVEK PATEL Jan 7, 2010 1:13 AM
DUCTLESS PACKAGE AC UNIT?
WHAT IS DUCTLESS PACKAGE AC UNIT CALLED IN TECHNICAL TERMS AS IN .......THE HI-WALL DUCTABLE UNITS WHICH GIVES A DIRECT AIR FLOW PORVISION WITHOUT DUCTS.......IS IT SOMETHING CALLED...'FURDIN...???
inthu Dec 28, 2009 4:26 AM
HVAC SYSTEM
dear sir,

i'm a student,doing a research regarding HVAC system evaluation techniques.please give me a basic idea about following questions.

what type of HVAC system prefers for hospitals?
and which techniques mostly used, when evaluate HVAC projects to hospitals?(NPV ,IRR,PB etc).

regards
inthu

rahul natthani Dec 22, 2009 12:04 AM
to make a new ac
sir, how i can make a new ac by using old or traditional acs. sir my condition is to minimize the cost and power consumption of the AC. please tell me on my email id rahulnatthani@yahoo.com
rahulnatthani@gmail.com.
anbarasan Nov 26, 2009 11:46 AM
selection of AC system
sir

how select the AC system in TG House control room for power plants
Haresh Khemani Nov 7, 2009 10:28 AM
Packaged air conditioners
Hi Eddi,

Please go to the following link for heat load calculations procedure: http://www.brighthub.com/engineering/mechanical/articles/52621.aspx
kanupriya chaudhary Nov 7, 2009 4:30 AM
air conditioner parts
sir,
i have a term project on air conditioners.i wanted to know about the chemical composition of ac components and the physical propeties of the materials they are made up of (in such a way that these properties justify their use.). please help.very urgent..
eddi azhar Nov 7, 2009 1:50 AM
Packaged Air Conditioners
I've design 3 storey hostel block contain different size of rooms... and i want it to be conditioned with packaged system... how do i know to identify the capacity of system such as total area/volume/room to be cooled per every packaged unit??? pls help me.. tq...
Haresh Khemani Nov 6, 2009 8:22 AM
Refrigeration cycle
The vapor compression cycle is already available here.
asim Nov 4, 2009 6:29 AM
hvac
dear sir,i want to know the basic refrigeration cycle in details step by step process.
Haresh Khemani Nov 4, 2009 12:34 AM
5 TR
You don't have to design these systems, they are readily available in the market.
K.Seshu Nov 3, 2009 8:36 AM
5.oTR SPLIT A.C
Dear sir,
Is there any articles avialable to design a 5.0TR capacity split ductable air conditioning system. Please inform to me.
Haresh Khemani Oct 31, 2009 7:22 AM
1.5 TR
The split units with ducts are called as ductable split units. This product is used for many applications and many companies supply it.
Haresh Khemani Oct 31, 2009 7:20 AM
Split capacity
By compact heat exchanger due to mean water cooled condenser? If yes, then this is possible. But let me inform you that this is not feasible for mass production.

K.Seshu Oct 31, 2009 4:50 AM
1.5TR capacity split ac
Dear sir,
Is there any books or reviews avialable to design a 2.5TR duct type split air conditioner.
K.Seshu Oct 31, 2009 1:56 AM
Split Capacity
Dear sir,
I want to design a 5TR capacity split ac by using compact heat exchanger in place of condenser. Is it possible? Is there any effects with compact HE. Please clarify.
Thank you
NESTORY Oct 21, 2009 4:54 AM
ac
i need what ut means by INDIVIDUAL UNIT
NESTORY Oct 21, 2009 4:52 AM
electro-mechsnical engineer
what does it mean by INDIVIDUAL UNIT?pls help me
Haresh Khemani Oct 7, 2009 7:06 AM
HVAC
Thanks Syam Kumaji,

Some articles on heat load calculations have been published already though more are yet to come on detailed procedure of heat load calculations. Calculations of tonnage will also come in these articles.

Regards,

Haresh
Syam Kumar Oct 7, 2009 6:26 AM
HVAC
Hi Haresh,

U r doing a great job .its so infirmative and very simplified way u have described.Hoping to learn more about HVAC from you.Can u explain me about the jeat load calculation,how to determine the tonnage of a/c.
Haresh Khemani Sep 25, 2009 12:30 AM
Mech
You can make a model of the central air conditioning plant explaining the various parts of the plant.
Haresh Khemani Sep 25, 2009 12:27 AM
Hi
The total investment for 1.5 Ton split unit starts from Rs. 23000/- and can go to as high as Rs. 35000/- depending on the brand. Rs. 23000/- units are good enough. I have a similar unit in my room. The 1 ton unit can cost about 19000/- upwards.
Ramkumar Sep 24, 2009 10:48 AM
mech
hai, i am a mechanical engineering student. i want to do the project about air conditioning systems, please give me some suggestions and ideas, how to do
pawar amol v Sep 24, 2009 7:44 AM
hi
what is total investment of split ac
Haresh Khemani Sep 10, 2009 6:26 AM
HVAC
Dear Veena

I'm yet to cover this topic here. In the mean time you can refer the book Basic Refrigeration and Air Conditioning by Ananthnarayan, publisher: Tata McGraw.

Thanks,

Haresh
veena vagga Sep 9, 2009 10:20 AM
HVAC
I want to know about HVAC. I am working in Ambience mall Ac system but I am doing it for the first time so I want detail information about plenum, its basic function, Supply & return air diffuser, damper. etc. the whole system as I am very keen to have knowledge about this. Can you pls help me out? & can you pls recommend any good book to have basic knowledge?
Haresh Khemani Sep 3, 2009 10:23 AM
Mechanical Engineer
Dear Ismail,

There are number of articles on air conditioning, and types of air conditioners at Bright Hub, this should give you lots of knowledge. Many more articles are yet to come.

Thanks,

Haresh
mohd ismail Sep 1, 2009 4:50 PM
mechanical engineer
already i am working in al rasheed company iam a fresher but i wnat to gain knowledge about air conditioning plse help me
Haresh Khemani Aug 2, 2009 11:57 AM
Benefits of Packaged Units
Dear Thouseef,

In India Blue Star is well known for Packaged units, but I'm sure in UAE there may be other good multinational companies also.

Thanks,

Haresh
THOUSEEF AHAMED Aug 2, 2009 11:08 AM
Benefits of Packaged Units
Which is the best in Quality wise Brand in Packaged unit, that will be available in UAE?
Haresh Khemani Jun 20, 2009 1:15 AM
Air Conditioner
There are three main advantages of the window AC:

1) They are cheaper than split ACs.
2) They are more efficient than the split unit (produce more cooling effect and have more air flow rate).
3) They consume less electricity compared to split units.

But they will acquire some space inside the room and they do make some noise also.

Please weigh the above advantages and disadvantages and you can take appropriate step.

You can also consider heat pump that can produce cooling and heating effect (though I'm not sure if it is suitable for your place).

Thanks,

Haresh
Pat Korczak Jun 19, 2009 12:20 PM
Air Conditioner
WE have a garage with a apartment upstairs and are foaming the metal roof for insulation. We need to heat and cool the apartment and are tyring to decide between puting a split air unit or window a/c & heat unit which is alot cheaper. The square footage is 600 sq ft. Which would you recommend
 
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