We live in a world full of choices, and it has even found its way into the HVAC systems we use in our homes. Whether it’s a residential or a commercial building, air conditioning holds an integral place when you’re considering the standard of living and comfort. Most people don’t know what to do when choosing between a ducted air conditioner system or a ductless one. It’s not a big issue for most, but if you renovate your office space or remodel your home, you need to get this one right.
You’re not short of options either, as several brands offer ductless and ducted HVAC systems. In this article, we will be comparing these two HVAC systems and highlighting all their basics to make an informed decision. Our goal is to help you choose the best HVAC system for your home or office so that you have no heating or cooling worries.
Ducted Air Conditioners
Ducted air conditioners are simple enough to understand, as they ventilate hot or cool air throughout the building via a series of interconnected ducts spread throughout the entire building. A unit is placed centrally, including the compressor, condenser, and a unit ventilating the air, generally placed in the attic, garage, or basement.
Ducted air conditioners ventilate and distribute hot or cool air all over the building, ensuring that air circulates in every room and space via vents and ducts, allowing you to control the temperature inside appropriately. They are known as centrally air-conditioning systems as well and have two types in general, which are:
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Split Central Air Conditioning Systems
Today, the most popular centrally air-conditioned system used by homeowners and businesses is split central air conditioners. They have a compressor and condenser in a metal cabinet placed outside. There is an evaporator in a different container placed inside, which you can place in the attic or a closet. The refrigerant flows into the evaporator from the outside unit, which will cool and pump the air into the central air ducts network via the unit handling air.
The main difference between a packaged central air conditioning system and a split central air conditioner is that the former is three times bigger. You can manage the HVAC system more conveniently by splitting them, but even though they are larger air conditioner systems, they consistently get better SEER ratings. Instead of heat pumps, there is also a heat exchanger or a furnace in the indoor unit.
One of the main reasons split central air conditioning systems are in demand is that they are more economical for homes and businesses, especially those with no air conditioning but a furnace. That’s because you won’t need to install new ducts since they can circulate the cooler air through the furnace duct network.
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Packaged Central Air Conditioning Systems
Packaged central air conditioning systems are different from split air conditioners as every component is placed in one unit. They can be installed on the roof or placed next to your property on a concrete slab. These HVAC systems are common in commercial buildings or homes with limited indoor space. The air will be circulated inside via the central air duct system into every room and back into the air conditioning unit.
The only downside with packaged central air conditioners is that they aren’t as efficient as split air conditioners, but they don’t take up as much space. If you’re considering getting a packaged HVAC system, you should ensure you have a space available outside where the unit can’t be damaged or tampered with. It would be best to consider whether your roof can handle its weight as packaged air conditioning units are heavy.
Another vital aspect of choosing ducted air conditioning systems is having a duct framework for your property. It doesn’t matter what duct air conditioner you select; your property must have the space for installing a network of central air ducts. Therefore, before installing a ductless or ducted air conditioner on your property, check to see whether your property’s design and layout allow you to have this luxury.
Central Air Duct Types for Cooling or Heating
The main component of every central air conditioner is the duct network or framework. There are also different central air duct systems, mainly based on what materials they were made from. The most common central air duct types for cooling or heating are:
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Flexible Ducts
If you ever notice massive tubes with large diameters in a property, these are flexible AC ducts, which have a framework of metal but are coated with insulation and flexible plastic. These ducts are installed easily and cheaply, making them perfect for small spaces. They can also connect easily to outdoor units. However, when installing flexible ducts on your property, they mustn’t have any bends or kinks, which will interfere with the air circulation.
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Rigid Ducts
Rigid AC ducts are the large pipes and vents you notice at most commercial buildings, which are fixed in one place and circulate air inside. They are made from metal and are more durable and sturdier than their flexible duct counterparts. However, that makes the installation of rigid air ducts harder, and they also tend to be noisier on account of the metal ducts.
Ductless or Ducted Air Conditioners: Which is the Better Choice?
There’s no industry standard or rule book that dictates when to opt for ductless or ducted air conditioners. HVAC systems consist of complicated engineering and complex technology, and several factors will determine the right choice for your property. The choice comes down to your needs, budget, and the space inside your home or office.
If you want to install ducted air conditioning in Brisbane, look no further than Sun City Air, as they are the best in the business. With more than six decades of experience in HVAC systems, you will not only get superior ducted air conditioning systems installed but will also get them at the most affordable price. Contact us today to learn more about whether your home or office should get ductless or ducted air conditioning systems.