When your HVAC unit begins showing signs of age or diminishing effectiveness, it might be time to consider purchasing a new cooling system. The time to replace an air conditioner is before it has a major breakdown, because installation may be harder to schedule in the midst of a Daytona Beach summer. Meanwhile, everyone at home becomes very uncomfortable.
Unless you plan to buy a newer version of the same air conditioner or heater you have, it is worth knowing the different kinds of cooling systems available to you and the advantages of each. With that in mind, what follows is a brief summary of the kinds of HVAC units and where they work best. There is no system that works well for every person and situation. If you are thinking about replacing your current HVAC system, give us a call at (386) 252-1247 to discuss the best solution for you.
Split System
The split system is named for the configuration of its two main components, which are placed separately in two cabinets, one indoors and one outdoors. The outdoor cabinet houses the condenser coil and the compressor, which work together to produce cooled air. The compressor pressurizes chemical refrigerant into a hot liquid, which flows into the condenser, where it is cooled and converted into a gas then pumped inside the home to the evaporator coil. The evaporator coil is actually located inside the home’s furnace, and acts to remove heat and humidity from the air.
This type of HVAC unit is ideally installed in a home already equipped with a furnace, because the furnace will have an evaporator coil, and the ductwork already in place can be utilized by both the heating and the cooling system.
Ductless Mini-Split System
The ductless mini-split is most appropriate for a home that never had installed ductwork, meaning there is no network for sending out cooled air and returning warmed air. It is similar to the split system in that it has an outdoor condensing unit, but the indoor part of the system differs in that there is no system of ducts to reach individual rooms. Instead, copper tubing conveys refrigerant from the outdoor unit to indoor fans mounted on ceilings or walls in the various rooms of the house.
Packaged System
A packaged system is also referred to as an all-in-one unit because all three of the required components – condenser, evaporator, and compressor – are included in a single unit. This kind of setup is often used in regions that tend to have a warmer climate, where building techniques favor the single-cabinet approach. The system is usually situated outdoors on a solid foundation like a slab of wood or concrete, and has the same ductwork inside that a traditional split system would have.
Heat Pumps
A heat pump functionally absorbs heat from a cold space and releases it to a warmer one, and can be purchased in ‘reversible’ mode so it can be used for either heating or cooling. In cooling mode it has an outdoor condensing unit and indoor evaporator coil, just like an ordinary HVAC unit. Mild climates are better for heat pumps, because in temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit they are not as efficient at heating outside air.
We hope that this article has helped explain to you the different kinds of HVAC units available. There is no one-size-fits-all. Do you know someone who might benefit from this article? We would love for you to share it with them. Want more information about what would be right for you and your home or office? Give us a call at (386) 252-1247.
