A GUIDE: HOW YOUR AIR CONDITIONER WORKS AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Get all the information you need to choose the ideal air conditioning system for your home or office with our comprehensive guide to air conditioning basics. Whether you’re heating or cooling a single room or your entire home, we’ve got you covered.

What is reverse cycle air conditioning?

Reverse cycle air conditioning is a good option for many homes as it can both heat or cool a room or space depending on the weather, eliminating the need for a separate cooling system and or/heaters.

Reverse cycle air conditioning works by reversing the flow of the refrigerant, which allows the air conditioner to cool the warm air in summer and heat the cold air in the winter months. It is available in both split system units and ducted air conditioning systems.

What is a split system air conditioner?

A split system air conditioning system consists of two separately installed components: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit is usually mounted on a wall or in a ceiling space and contains a heat exchanger, air filter and an, while the outdoor unit is placed outside the building and has the compressor and heat exchanger. Refrigerant pipework and electrical cables connect the two units. Split system air conditioners come in various styles and capacities, making them suitable for small to large open-plan rooms.

Overall, split system air conditioners are a popular choice for their flexibility, efficiency and ease of installation.

Single-split vs Multi-split

Split system air conditioners can be either single-split or multi-split. Single-split systems consist of one indoor and one outdoor unit designed to cool or heat a single room or space. Multi-head split system air conditioners have multiple indoor units connected to a single outdoor unit and are designed to cool or heat multiple rooms or areas, They can be ideal when need to air condition numerous rooms without sacrificing more space to install multiple outdoor units.

How does a split system air conditioner work?

A split system air conditioner works by circulating refrigerant between two units, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. Here is how it works:

Cooling mode:
In cooling mode the indoor unit contains an evaporator coil that cools and dehumidifies the air. The indoor unit pulls in warm air from the room and blows it over the evaporator coil. The evaporator coli contains cold refrigerant that absorbs the heat from the air, thereby cooling and dehumidifying it. The cooled air is then blown back into the room through the indoor units fan.

Heating mode:
In heating mode, the process is reversed. The indoor unit absorbs heat from the air and blows it into the room to warm it up. The outdoor unit contains a compressor that compresses the refrigerant and increases its temperature. The heated refrigerant then circulates through the indoor unit’s evaporator coil, which releases the heat into the air blowing over it, warming the room.

What is ducted air conditioning?

Ducted air conditioning is a popular form of climate control. It uses a ceiling concealed unit to provide cool or warm air and distribute it via ductwork and diffusers or grilles throughout a building. It is typically used in larger homes and commercial buildings, where individual split systems are impractical. They are generally quieter than other forms of air conditioning as the noisy parts of the system are located outside the home or in a plant room.

Ducted air conditioning systems can be designed to suit the specific needs of a home. Having the air conditioning unit concealed in the celling cavity or bulk head space allows the homeowner to locate the unit out of view and choose the diffusers or grilles to suit the architectural design.

Additional features such as air filets, zone control and remote access (wifi) control can be included. Ducted systems are popular for their efficiency, flexibility, and ability to provide year round climate control for entire homes.

How does ducted air conditioning work?

Ducted air conditioning works by distribution cool or warm air thought a series of ducts installed in the ceiling. To cool out home the ducted air conditioning unit draws in warner air from the room and passes it over an evaporator coil. The coil contains a refrigerant that absorbs heat from the air, causing the air to cool. The cooled and conditioned air is then distributed through the ducts to each room or area of the building via vents or diffusers.

Ducted air conditioning systems can be zoned using a zone controller. This means dividing your home into separate zones of different areas or rooms, which can be cooled or heated independently, allowing for greater flexibility and energy efficiency. Giving you the ability to turn off a section in your house when it’s not in use, like a bedroom during the day, while keeping your home office warm or cool as you work.

If you are considering a new air conditioning system for your home, visit us in our Subiaco showroom where we have working examples of wall split, ceiling cassette and ducted systems on display, so you can see, hear and feel the Needhamair difference.

Talk to one of our friendly team at the Subiaco Showroom for more information