What Types of Air Conditioning Systems Are Commonly Used?
Types of Air Conditioning Systems
Air conditioning is the process of managing the temperature, humidity, cleanliness and movement of air in a room or building. It was invented in 1902 by Willis Carrier of Buffalo, New York, based on the fact that cooled air loses moisture as it dehydrates. Today, modern air conditioning systems have a huge impact on the comfort of homes, offices, stores and factories, as well as providing a variety of health benefits.
Besides cooling, the air conditioning system also helps to remove harmful microorganisms, particulates and foreign matter from indoor air, which makes it healthier to breathe. In addition, it can also reduce odors and improve indoor lighting.
There are many different types of air conditioning systems, including portable units, ductless split air conditioners and central air systems. The choice of what system to purchase depends on several factors, such as the size of the house, family size, budget and energy efficiency requirements. The team at JPS Furnace & Air Conditioning can help you select the right air conditioning system for your needs.
What Types of Air Conditioning Systems Are Commonly Used?
One of the most popular systems for home use is a central air unit. This system consists of two separate units: the cooling compressor located outside and the evaporative coil inside your home, which is connected to the compression unit through refrigerant tubing. The cooling system works by drawing cool air from the outdoors through a supply and return ducting system, which is pushed around your entire house using the furnace ducts.
The evaporative unit in your home has an internal heat exchanger that is heated by the cooling unit and cooled by the cold outdoor air that blows over it. The evaporative unit then cools the air that is blown through it by a fan, which is also connected to the compressor. When the cooling unit is on, it pumps refrigerant through this system and the evaporative unit.
This cool air is then circulated throughout the house by the fan and the ducting system, keeping the space comfortable and maintaining a steady climate. The evaporative system also provides humidity control by removing moisture from the air, which can prevent mold and mildew growth.
A ductless, or mini-split, air conditioner can also be used to provide cooling in an older home that doesn’t have a ducting system, as well as for apartments and other multi-family dwellings. Ductless systems typically have an indoor handling unit and an outdoor unit, with some being designed to handle multiple rooms simultaneously.
Portable or portable air conditioners have an indoor unit on wheels, while a monoblock or air-to-air system vents the conditioned air to the outside through flexible hoses that can run continuously, which negatively impacts their cooling efficiency. The hoses can either be the monoblock type, which collects the water in buckets or trays, or the air-to-air type, which re-evaporates the water and discharges it. The re-evaporation of the water can generate condensation and create a foul smell, so these units tend to be avoided.