Your commercial air conditioning unit is important for the health, safety, and comfort of your workplace. The weeks between winter and spring are the perfect time to ensure your unit is ready to handle summertime heat. If your air conditioner’s best days are behind it, then this is an ideal time to install a new system.
What should I consider when purchasing a new commercial A/C?
Because replacing a commercial air conditioner involves a large cost investment, it is important to make sure you select the best unit for your business. Below, we’ll review various types of air conditioning units and the benefits of each. When deciding which is the best fit for your building, consider the building’s size, your local climate, your budget, and the unit’s reliability and energy efficiency. It’s also important to understand how well an air conditioner filters the air and influences your building’s air quality.
What types of commercial A/C units are available?
Ducted Systems
Central air conditioning systems use ducts to distribute cooled air throughout the building. This type of system is best for big warehouses or large office buildings. The ductwork can be installed so it’s discreet and unobtrusive. Ducted systems can be zoned, enabling you to keep different sections of the building at different temperatures.
Split Systems
Split air conditioning systems are ductless systems that use outside and inside units to cool your space. There are two types of split systems: single-split and multi-split.
A single-split system uses one outside condenser and compressor and one indoor blower unit. The indoor and outdoor units are connected by a thin conduit that is home to the power cable, refrigerant tubing, and condensate drain. This system is ideal for smaller workspaces. It is known for being efficient and cost effective, and it’s compact enough to fit easily into a small office. If necessary, multiple single-split systems can be installed in a bigger space, especially when budget concerns are a priority.
Like a ducted system, a multi-split system allows you to cool many areas of your building at once. Like its single-split counterpart, it uses one outdoor condenser and compressor, but you can connect up to five indoor units. Each indoor unit controls the room in which it’s installed. Split systems are quieter and more efficient than window or portable A/C units, and for businesses on tight budgets, they provide a more affordable option than central air.
VRF Systems
Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems are used to cool and heat medium or large commercial buildings. VRF systems are very versatile, allowing you to customize temperature settings to meet the needs of your personnel and sensitive equipment. You can even simultaneously heat one area while cooling another. A very energy efficient option, VRF systems use inverter compressors, which allow the compressor to ramp up or down based on your space’s needs.
Once you’ve decided which air conditioning system is best for your business, it is crucial to choose a professional to install it. A great HVAC company will consistently deliver high quality service, so check reviews before you hire someone to do the work.
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