Air conditioners that were considered to be an aspect of a luxurious lifestyle in the early days, have now become a common household appliance in middle-class households as well. The advent of technology has led to the rapid development of different types of air conditioners.
The article details the types of split air conditioners, their distinct features, the technologies used in them, and what they mean to the consumers.
What is Split AC?
The split air conditioners are relatively new and consist of two separate units – the water or air-cooled condensing unit and the air handling unit. The main feature of this AC is that it runs quietly as the condensing unit is installed outside the room.
The condensing unit is located on the exterior side of the wall room and it contains the condenser coil, compressor, and cooling coil. The air filter, cooling coil, and blower are installed inside the room. The indoor and outdoor units are connected using electrical wires. Distance between the indoor and outdoor unit impact the running cost, maintenance and performance.
Split ACs come up with different energy efficiency levels depending on the specific type and technology. Additionally, you can opt for multi-split AC through which you can install indoor units in multiple rooms and connect them to the same external unit.
Types of Split AC
Split AC can be categorized into two major categories based on their functions and technologies incorporated into them.
Normal Split AC
Normal split ACs, commonly referred to as non-inverter split ACs, have motors that can not be regulated. In other words, it is impossible to change the level of cooling produced by the unit. Once the room temperature drops to a certain level, it automatically turns off. It turns on once the temperature becomes high again.
The drawback of this air conditioning unit is that the repeated process of on and off uses more energy and causes noise. Also, it is not very versatile in maintaining the correct room temperature.
The only advantage of non-inverter split ACs is that they are very affordable. The installation is also very simple and does not require a skilled technician.
Inverter Split AC
The inverter split air conditioners produce cooling effects in response to changes in the room temperature. It actively regulates the speed of its compressor motor according to room temperature.
These air conditioning units are eco-friendly and have high energy efficiency. It actively senses the room temperature. When cooling or heating is required, the compressor uses energy to increase or decrease the output. At other times, it does not use much energy.
Inverter split ACs are very expensive and the installation process is also difficult in comparison to its counterparts.
Additionally, the maintenance cost is also very high. When the doors are opened frequently, it triggers a change in room temperature which activates the compressor to spend more energy.
Normal Split AC vs Inverter Split AC
| Feature | Normal Split AC (Non-Inverter) | Inverter Split AC |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Maintains the room temperature within a specific range. | Maintains constant room temperature |
| Compressor functionality | Produces cooling effect only when the temperature becomes high and turns off when the temperature becomes less. | Actively regulates the room temperature |
| Energy efficiency | Low | High |
| Initial cost | Low | High |
| Maintenance cost | Low | High |
| Need for stabilizer | Need to be installed to prevent voltage fluctuation | Not mandatory as there is less voltage fluctuation. |
| Noise level | Moderate | Less |
| Power Source | Need electric power | Can work on both solar power and electric power |
| Life span | 15 – 20 years | 15 – 25 years |
| Compressor Versatility | Less versatile | More versatile |
| Best suited for | Small rooms | Both small and big rooms |
Conclusion
Choosing an air conditioning unit is a highly personalized choice and it largely depends on the size of your room and the number of people living in your household. If you are installing it in a big room, an inverter split AC would be the best option. In the case of a smaller room, a normal split AC would suffice.
If you have any further queries or doubts regarding your air conditioner features, let us know in the comments section and we will help you out.
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