What is HVAC?

Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment perform heating and/or cooling for
residential, commercial or industrial buildings. The HVAC system may also be responsible for providing
fresh outdoor air
What type of AC systems are available?
Cooling Only Split-System
A split system is a combination of an indoor air handling unit and an outdoor condensing unit. The
indoor air handling unit contains a supply air fan and an air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger (or cooling
coil), and the expansion device. The outdoor condensing unit consists of a compressor and a
condenser coil. Split-systems are typically found in residential or small commercial buildings. These
systems have the highest energy efficiency rating (EER) of all the available AC systems. Manufacturers
are required to take the EER rating a step further and provide a seasonal energy efficiency rating
(SEER) for use by consumers. SEER ratings vary widely and range from 10 to 20. The higher the SEER
rating, the more efficient the AC system operates. If heating is required, an alternate method of
heating the interior of the building must be used, usually in the form of electric or gas heating.
Cooling Only Packaged-System
A packaged system is a single unit combining all the components described in the split system. Since
the unit is a package, it must be placed outside the building and indoor air is ducted from the
building to the packaged system and back through an air distribution system. These units typically
have SEER rating from 10 to 18. If heating is required, an alternate method of heating the interior of
the building must be used, usually in the form of electric or gas heating.
Heat Pump
Heat pumps are similar to cooling only systems with one exception. A special valve in the refrigeration
piping allow the refrigeration cycle to be operated in reverse. A cooling only system cools the indoor
air and rejects heat to the outdoors. A heat pump can also cool the indoor air, but when the valve is
reversed, the indoor air is heated. A supplementary electric resistance heater may also be used to
assist the heat pump at lower outdoor temperatures. In colder climates, heat pumps require a defrost
period. During defrost times the electric heater is the only means of heating the interior of the
building. These units are manufactured as either split or packaged systems.
Chilled Water System
In a chilled water system, liquid water is pumped throughout the building to chilled water coils. Since
the liquid water needs to be at a cold temperature, a cooling plant is required. The plant is typically
referred to as a chiller plant. Vapor compression equipment in the plant, similar to that described in
How does my AC work, cool water to a cold temperature and pump the cold water to air-to-water
heat exchangers where needed.
Window Air Conditioners
As the name implies, a window air conditioner is typically installed in a window or custom opening in a
wall. The Window AC can only cool small areas and are not intended to provide cooling to multiple
rooms or zones. These air conditioners are manufactured as cool only or can provide both cooling and
heating. An optional damper in the unit can provide fresh outdoor air if necessary.
Packaged Terminal Heat Pump

Packaged terminal heat pumps (PTHP) are are similar to a window-mounted air conditioner. These
units are typically installed in a sleeve passing through the outdoor wall of an apartment, hotel, school
classroom, etc. PTHPs are completely self contained and require only an electrical connection in
addition to the opening in the building shell. They use the outdoor air as the heat source in winter and
as a heat sink in summer. They also can provide ventilation air. Flexibility and lower installed cost are
the primary advantages of the PTHP. Disadvantages include in-room maintenance, higher operating
cost, relatively short life, imprecise "on-off" temperature control, and they can be rather noisy.

Diffrent Types

Windows AC
These types of AC are designed to be fitted in window sills. A single unit of Window Air
Conditioner houses all the necessary components, namely the compressor, condenser, expansion
valve or coil, evaporator and cooling coil enclosed in a single box. Since a window AC is a single
unit, it takes less effort to install as well as for maintenance.
Advantages

Single unit air conditioner

Less effort needed for installation

Costs lesser in comparison to other varieties

Split AC
These are kits of 2 units, one internal and another external. The indoor unit installed inside a
room intakes warm air and throws in cold air. The outdoor unit on the other hand is installed out

of the house. It contains the compressor and is linked to the internal unit via drain pipes and
electric cables. This external unit throws out the warm air.
Advantages

Internal unit takes up less space for installation

Usually more silent than window ACs

Minimally affect your home decor

Can be installed in room with no windows

Tower AC
These are also known as floor-standing air conditioners. Like split ACs, a tower AC set consists of
2 units- one internal and an external. However, the indoor unit doesnt need wall installation. It
rather occupies some space on the floor. Tower air conditioners usually have high cooling
capacity and suitable for very large rooms.
Advantages

Suitable for high capacity cooling

Ideal for large rooms at home and in offices

Doesn't need windows or wall installation

Cassette AC
These space-saving ACs are shaped like cassettes and are designed to be installed on ceilings.
The panel of these air conditioners is designed to blend with all kinds of home dcor. They are
stylish, and are known to deliver fantastic performances. Most cassette type air conditioners
require no ducting. They are perfect for large spaces where windows or split AC may not reach
out.
Advantages

Best at saving space

Able to cool large areas where other ACs dont reach out

Blends with decor

Cube Air Conditioner

This fairly new design introduced by Panasonic can be mounted close to a ceiling or at the
window level. Basically, this is a smaller version of the split type air conditioner and costs less
than the former. The indoor unit features a newly designed diagonal propeller fan for efficient and
fast cooling. Improved blade shape curvature and larger intake grill further aid for efficient
performance.
Advantages

Can be mounted close to the ceiling or at window level

Newly designed diagonal propeller fan for fast cooling

Improved blade shape curvature for efficient performance

Key differences between "Window", "Split" and a "cassette" air conditioners

AC
Parameters

Window AC

Split AC

Cassette AC

Suitable For

Small rooms with a window sill

Any room with or without

a window

Large indoor
spaces

Noise

Relatively on the higher side

Minimal noise

Silent
operation

Capacity range 0.75 ton to 2 ton

0.8 to 2 ton

1 ton to 4 ton

Advanced
features

Humidity control, dust filter

Humidity control, dust

filter, bacteria filter

Humidity
control, dust
filter, bacteria
filter

Interference
with home
decor

Slight possibility to interfere with

window curtains and drapes

Designer indoor units

Barely
blend well with wall decor interferes
with interior
decor

Ease of
installation

Minimal effort required

Indoor and outdoor units

need some amount of
effort for installation

How many types of air conditioners are there ?

There are 6 types of air conditioners as follows:
1) Wall type:

Needs
specialised
false ceiling

AC
Parameters

Window AC

Split AC

Cassette AC

Compact
Suitable for small space such as a bedroom or a living room

Advantage :
modern
various patterns
low noise level
easy to install
Disadvantage :
not suitable for working in whole day because cooling coils are small. This
leads them dirty and clogged easier than large coils.

2) Ceiling/floor type:
suitable for both small and large space such as a bedroom, an office, a
restaurant or a conference room

Advantage :
can be installed both on the floor and the ceiling
suitable for every kind of places, and good airflow
Disadvantage :
not various patterns
3) Package type look like a tall closet " suitable for the place that people
always pass in and out such as a restaurant and a food shop

Advantage :
easy to install
can be installed on the floor without being struck. It cools fast because the

AC
Parameters

Window AC

Split AC

Cassette AC

diameter of big fan fins leads more powerful.

Disadvantage :
area is use
4) Built-in type neat because it can be hided behind the ceiling suitable for the
room with beautiful design which do not require the air conditioner to show.

Advantage :
good design by hiding in the closet or behind the ceiling
Disadvantage :
difficult to install and to maintain
5) Window type It includes condensing unit and fan coil unit can be installed
by being hided in the wall without refrigerant pipes. Therefore, it should be
installed in the window or hole the thick wall

Advantage :
save space because condensing unit is not installed
easy to install because of not having refrigerant pipes.
effective in cooling because there are no refrigerant pipes so heat can not
pass through the pipes.
Disadvantage :
high noise level of the compressor causing the vibration of the air conditioner
and wall.
If it is too big, it will be difficult to install because the window cannot stand
overweight.

6) Movable type no need to install and can move everywhere you want.

AC
Parameters

Window AC

Split AC

Cassette AC

Advantage :
compact
no installation,
can move both indoor and outdoor
Disadvantage :
suitable for only not large rooms
low efficiency of cooling system because it is opening system when used in
the outdoor.