Air Conditioner Buying Guide 2022 – Types of Air Conditioners

When it comes to staying cool in the summer, there’s nothing better than an air conditioner. But with all of the different types and brands available on the market, how do you know which one is right for you?

In this guide, we’ll look at some of the most popular AC types and help you decide which one is best for your home.

So whether you’re in the market for a brand new AC or just looking to upgrade your old one, read on for everything you need to know.

But first, before we dive deep into the categories of air conditioners, let’s clear some basics.

How do Air Conditioners function?

The fundamental function of an air conditioning system is to draw in warm air from the room and store the heat and moisture in it, then expel it outside so that the air is circulated back into cooler and more pleasant space.

The heat is transferred from the inside unit to the outside via a liquid known as refrigerant, stored in coils. Like water evaporating in the sun, this refrigerant can change from liquid to gas, taking away your home’s heat before releasing it into the atmosphere.

The air conditioner blows the cooled air back into the room via a fan as the refrigerant carries heat away. The outside air removes the heat from the hot refrigerant gas, and the compressor reverses it back to a liquid state to start over again.

What types of Air Conditioners are available in the market?

Now that you know how an air conditioner works, it’s time to determine which type to AC you should choose. There are a variety of air conditioner models to consider; some are more permanent than others (particularly ducted types, which we’ll look at later).

Remember that no matter what kind of air conditioner you choose, a professional will need to install both the indoor and outdoor units.

1) Single Split System

The single split system is a system that contains both an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. It is the most popular option when it comes to installing air conditioning in your house, due to its simplicity of installation (some piping is required) as well as the fact that no duct-work is required. The two units are linked via wires and some piping.

The wall-mounted indoor unit is slim and elegant, intended to cool only one room in your house. It’s ideal for people who want to add extra comfort to the room they spend the most time in. The filter protects the air conditioner’s interior and components, making it more resistant to dust and debris. Depending on which filter you have installed, it can improve the quality of your indoor air. When buying this type of air conditioner, be sure to get one with louvers (the streamlined components on the front of the unit that the air is blown through) and make sure they can be positioned in a fixed position to provide air evenly.

The split system is the best choice for homeowners who want to condition one space and value the simplicity of installation. It’s also an excellent option for renters looking for a unit that blends in with the décor and design of their living area.

2) Multi-Split System

A multi-zone air conditioner is a system in which an outdoor unit is linked to two or more indoor units. This sort of air conditioning system is perfect for homes that have numerous rooms occupied at once and need separate temperature management for each room.

Imagine you’re at a party in the living area and someone is working from home, they’ll need different temperatures and ventilation levels. With just one outdoor unit, houses with little outside space can put up many units utilizing a multi-split system. This kind of air conditioning system is also an excellent alternative for people who live in structures without ducted systems but require multi-room cooling.

While the split-systems benefit is similar to that of a single-split system, there is more design flexibility and methods to connect the units into your interior rooms. Still, because it only utilizes one outdoor unit, it’s also useful for flats.

3) Cassette Type Systems

You’ve seen these ceiling unit types in offices and shopping malls, but don’t be fooled by the name. Cassette styles are ideal for households with larger areas to cool; open-plan kitchens, game rooms, and other spaces designed for a large number of people.

Instead of being placed on the wall, like split systems, cassette-type air conditioners are installed in the ceiling, and only the vents are visible. Cassette air conditioners, like split systems, are connected to an outside unit using slender piping and do not require ductwork.

The indoor unit has a large fan and up to four outlets, allowing the air to be dispersed as needed for maximum comfort. The central intake is also louvered to minimize visual impact. Furthermore, due to the cassette’s location, cooling may be obtained more quickly than in other designs.

Of course, not all homes will have the ceiling space to install a cassette-type system, but those that do will benefit from a design that takes up little room, has only a minor visual impact on its environment, and distributes air more evenly.

4) Ducted Air Conditioning

Ducted air conditioning is highly recommended if your home already has ducts or if you’re attempting to regulate the temperature of the entire house and vast sections of it. However, this air conditioning system requires ducts that run through the building’s interior ceilings and walls. It isn’t suitable for all properties, such as tiny flats or registered structures, on a restricted budget.

The outdoor unit is linked to an indoor unit located out of sight with ducted air conditioning, compared to other types of air conditioning systems. This is directly tied to the ducting and a contained fan blows air through the network of ducts into each room in your home.

One of the most critical advantages of ducted air conditioning is that it complements the space’s decor. Another advantage is that you may condition the entire house or particular rooms, making it simpler to personalize the temperature in your home.

5) Floor Mounted Console

If you don’t have enough room on your walls or don’t want to put a regular air conditioning unit on them, a floor-mounted console may be the answer.

They’re perfect for cooling and heating the air in a space, just like wall-mounted units, and consoles employ adjustable louvers to direct airflow around the room as needed.

They have excellent cooling abilities that are almost immediately felt, and they’re jam-packed with energy-saving technology to ensure your indoor climate is kept comfortably. Most consoles can also be used to heat rooms when it’s chilly outside, providing a cost-effective alternative to conventional heating systems.

If you have restricted wall space or support and live in a location where the weather isn’t severe, consider this type of air conditioner.

Last Words

So, what type of air conditioner is best for you? Depending on your needs and budget, any of the air conditioners we’ve discussed can be a great option.

We hope this guide has helped you better understand the different types of air conditioners on the market and given you some ideas about which one might be right for you.

Stay cool! And be sure to check out our website for more great content like this.

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