Air conditioning systems have become a necessary addition for many settings in the modern world. The reason behind this is that, air conditioners are handy in both hot and warm conditions since they are capable of adjusting the temperature within a room. Air conditioning usually works using the concept of refrigeration. There are many types of air conditioning systems that are currently available in the market and the split unit air conditioner system is one of them.
How does split unit air conditioning work?
A split unit air conditioner works on the same principle as the conventional air conditioners and usually has an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. These units have the following components incorporated within their design:
Outdoor unit – It consists of the compressor, condenser and an expansion valve.
Indoor unit – It consists of a cooling fan and a cooling coil or evaporator
The indoor and outdoor units are then connected by a copper pipe and electrical wirings. The copper pipe is usually tasked with circulation of a refrigerant. The refrigerant is circulated within the copper pipe by means of a pump. It usually absorbs heat from a room and releases this heat when compressed by a compressor located in the outdoor unit. This process usually generates cool air which is circulated within a building.
In a split unit air conditioner system, the cold air that is circulated within a room can be controlled by the use of a thermostat or regulated by an infra-red based remote control. This system can maintain one room of a building at a different temperature from other room within the same building. This property makes the split unit air conditioner system very reliable since it can be used for spot cooling in supermarkets and in essence also helps to save energy.
Advantages and disadvantages of a split-unit air conditioner
There are many benefits that are usually associated with the use of this system.
These benefits include:
Minimum noise
This system is designed in such a way that it produces very little noise. This has made this air conditioner system to be very popular in many homes and offices.
Installation
Installation of a split-air conditioner system is usually a very simple procedure. It usually requires the copper tubing and electrical wiring to be connected between the outdoor and indoor units and therefore does not involve any major overhauls.
Aesthetics
This air conditioning unit also has aesthetic value and can improve the general appearance of a room. The same cannot be said for conventional units which are usually very bulky and are usually an eyesore.
Maintenance
This is another attribute that has made the split unit air conditioner a favorite amongst many people. This system usually has washable filters and it only requires an individual to wash the filters one or two times a year.
Special features
There are many special features that are incorporated within these air conditioning systems. These features vary depending on a manufacturer but the most common include; heating capability where the air conditioner can also raise the temperature of a room and special filtering capabilities that can eliminate germs and bacteria from the air being circulated.
Some of the units also have an anti-allergy filter that filters dust and microorganisms that might cause allergies.
Efficiency
These air conditioner units are capable of cooling a room within a short period of time.
However, The split unit air conditioner systems usually have some drawbacks associated with them.
These drawbacks include:
Cost
This is the major disadvantage that has made this type of air conditioning system to be inaccessible to a majority of the population. These air conditioner systems tend to be expensive due to the multiple functionality and efficiency associated with them. For instance, a single unit goes for an average of 2000 U.S dollars but the price can be higher for larger units.
Energy efficiency
This is another disadvantage associated with this system. It usually consume a lot of energy due to their increased functionality
In order to acquire the best and most reliable split unit air conditioner, an individual needs to do some research on the best brand to buy. Some of the best split unit air conditioner systems currently available in the market include the LG and Sanyo brands.