What is a Split Air Conditioner System?

split ac system

Everyone likes to come home to a refreshingly cool house in the summertime heat and humidity. However, central air conditioning is expensive, while window units are noisy and bulky.

If you’re looking for an  affordable, unobtrusive way to bring more cool air into your home, a split air conditioner system might be the perfect answer (if you're not sure when to replace your air conditioner, we can help). You might be wondering, “where can I find an AC contractor near me?” Networx has you covered with a great selection of professionals.

What is a Split Air Conditioner System?

A split air conditioner consists of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. The outdoor unit is installed on or near the exterior wall of the room that you wish to cool. This unit houses the compressor, condenser coil and the expansion coil or capillary tubing. The sleek-looking indoor unit contains the cooling coil, a long blower and an air filter.

How is a Split Air Conditioner Different From Other A/C Units?

Installation of a split air conditioner is much simpler because it does not require ductwork, so there’s less of a chance of air conditioning mistakes during the install. Rather, the indoor and outdoor units are connected with a set of electrical wires and tubing. This is good for your wallet and the environment because you still get a strong air conditioner without much hassle. The ductwork required for many traditional A/C units generally increases energy expenditures, as many centralized A/C units lose a lot of energy due to heat exchange in the air duct system. Without a network of ducts, there is very little opportunity for heat or energy loss in a split air conditioner system.

Benefits of a Split Air Conditioning System

This kind of air conditioner system has many advantages over traditional A/Cs. One obvious benefit is the quiet performance of a split air conditioner system. The parts of an air conditioner that make the most noise are the compressor and the fan that cools the condenser. In a split system (unlike a window unit), the compressor and fan for the condenser are located outside  the room being cooled and therefore the major sources of noise are removed.

Another benefit of a split air conditioner system is that you may opt for a multi-split system, where you can have more than one indoor unit connected to a single outdoor unit. This makes it easy to cool multiple rooms or maintain the temperature throughout a large room via the use of two indoor cooling units.

A split air conditioner is an efficient and cost-effective way to cool your home. It should be noted that the initial cost of this kind of air conditioning unit is significantly higher than a window unit and it does require professional installation. However, the amount of money you'll save on your energy bills, as well as the longevity of the unit, will make it worth your while in the end.

Updated December 26, 2018.

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