What are air conditioners, and how do they work?
The concept of air conditioning began to spread in ancient Rome, where water was circulated through the walls of some homes to cool them. Over time and with technological advancement, the air conditioner became an indispensable device in homes, workplaces, and all kinds of facilities.
Air conditioning is the process of creating and maintaining a certain temperature, relative humidity, and air-purity conditions in enclosed spaces to achieve a high level of personal comfort. It is also used in industrial applications to ensure the correct operation of equipment or machinery.
And despite the variety and multitude of air-conditioning units, they all share the same basic working principle, as both air conditioning and industrial refrigeration (such as home refrigerators) work by the same mechanism; liquids such as water or air are cooled by the evaporation of another liquid called the refrigerant. The refrigeration circuit, which consists of the compressor, evaporator, condenser, and expansion device, is an integral part of both systems.
Calculating the right air-conditioner size for the room (tonnage)
You can calculate the right air-conditioner size using the formula (length × width × height × 300), then we divide the result by 12000.
Example: in the case of choosing an air conditioner for a room 3 metres high, 9 metres long, and 5 metres wide, the cooling units can be calculated as follows:
The air conditioner's cooling units: 3×9×5×300 = 40500 cooling units,
and so the right air-conditioner size is: 40500 / 12000 = 3 tons.
Types of air conditioners
There are several types of air conditioners, including:
The central air conditioner "Central"
The split-unit air conditioner "Split"
The window air conditioner "Window"
The chilled-water air conditioner "Chilled-water"
The concealed air conditioner "Concealed"
The mini-split air conditioner "Mini Split"
The desert (evaporative) air conditioner
In this article we will talk about the three most well-known types of air-conditioning units suitable for home use:
1. The central air conditioner "Central air conditioning"
What is it? And what are its features?
Among the different types of home air conditioners, this type is the most suitable for large homes, commercial spaces, and companies, and it is also considered the ideal system for cooling in places with high heat such as the Arabian Gulf region, and countries with high humidity, due to its ability to cool efficiently and effectively.
The central air conditioner allows you full control over the airflow and adjusting the temperature of each room independently of the others, whatever the number of rooms, and you can also switch off the cooling for any room you want and leave the rest of the rooms cooling. Not only that, but it also contains a dehumidifier to provide more comfort in the space.
In addition, it gives you a mild climate in summer and a warm climate in winter if you prefer to run it on hot air if you are in a country with a low temperature.
Finally, having a central air conditioner in your home gives it a touch of luxury and boosts its resale value if you are thinking of selling the home later.
How it works
Central air conditioners work through the central unit, which is often on the roof of the home, where the cold air coming out of it is pumped through a set of insulated metal ducts (Ducts) located in the wall or floors, to deliver the cold air to the multiple rooms on the different floors, while the hot air is drawn out through separate ducts.
Structural and architectural requirements
Installing a central air-conditioning system requires a lot of planning and preparation, as it requires determining the locations of the supply and return openings and the places where the air ducts and pipes and air outlets (ventilation Grilles) pass, then making vertical openings in the concrete before pouring, and also making horizontal openings in the walls for the air ducts (Ducts) to pass through.
It also requires increasing the height of the building due to the need for a suspended ceiling in the building.
The suitable scope for implementation
If you have a large home and need air conditioning in more than three rooms of it, central air conditioning is the ideal choice for you.
The cost of implementation and installation
One of the biggest drawbacks of the central air-conditioning system is the high cost of implementation and installation, as it requires precise implementation plans and requires air ducts, insulation, and cladding (metal to cover the external parts of the machine and the internal parts in the building), and it also needs specialised companies to implement it.
The cost of central air conditioning for a single floor of roughly 350 square metres may reach around 90 thousand Saudi riyals, including the price of the units, the ducting, and the installation cost.
Operating cost, electricity consumption, and maintenance
The central air conditioner is distinguished by the fact that it cools all the rooms of the home or space entirely through a single machine, and so the operating cost is lower than the cost of running an air conditioner for each room separately. In addition to saving on maintenance costs, instead of maintaining several units it will be just a single unit.
Its effect on the overall look and appearance of the space
One of the most important features of the central air conditioner is that it adds an aesthetic touch to the space, unlike other types of air-conditioning units that negatively affect the overall appearance of the space, because it consists of pipes laid so that they are buried underground or directly beneath the concrete ceiling and covered by the suspended ceiling, and likewise the indoor unit is also covered by the suspended ceiling.
As for the central outdoor unit, you can hide it out of sight on the roof of the home, in the outdoor yard, or in a far part of the garden.
Air distribution in the space
The central air conditioner distributes air evenly across all the rooms of your home, whether bedrooms, living rooms, or even the office, so that there is no variation in temperature in the home, which could lead to health problems for family members.
Routine maintenance
The central air conditioner needs routine maintenance every year, focusing on each of: the filters, the electrical wiring coils, the air-guiding fins of the air conditioner, the condensate-water drainage, and good insulation of the air conditioner's installation area from the surrounding environment.
And despite the high maintenance costs for the central air conditioner, it is distinguished by the fact that maintenance work is carried out outside the building, since the equipment is far from the space to be conditioned.
Noise
The central air-conditioning system is considered the lowest in the noise it produces compared with other types of air conditioners that produce annoying sounds from the indoor unit.
Lifespan
Central air-conditioning units are distinguished by a long lifespan, and so they are very widely used in commercial spaces with heavy use. In addition, they are designed to run 24 hours continuously in public spaces.
2. The concealed air conditioner "Concealed air conditioning"
What is it? And what are its features?
The concealed air conditioner is one of the types of split (separate) air-conditioning systems, and it is considered one of the practical and most well-known systems in the Kingdom and the most requested and popular among customers recently.
With a single system consisting of two units, one outdoor and one indoor, the air reaches all places, which makes it the ideal solution for air conditioning. It can even be used for heating if the equipment includes a heat pump, and therefore we can use it in winter and summer, and it also contains filters to purify the air of microbes and is chemically treated against bacteria and various air harms.
How it works
The concealed air conditioner consists of two parts, an outdoor unit (usually placed on the roof of the home) and an indoor unit, which is the blower fans, placed hidden in the false ceilings and away from the distribution point, and it is connected to the distribution points (the places to be conditioned) via air ducts (Duct).
Structural and architectural requirements
Installing a concealed air-conditioning system also requires planning and preparation, but to a lesser extent than the central air conditioner, since the cooling area is smaller, as it requires laying the plastic pipes during the structural framing stage that it passes through, then setting up the water-drainage pipes heading to the nearest bathroom, then setting up the wiring and thermostat locations, then the indoor cooling units are installed with the air duct (Duct), taking into account the design method of the false ceiling and the air outlets (Grille).
The suitable scope for implementation
Concealed air conditioners are installed inside limited spaces in homes (a room or two, living rooms), and the appropriate size is chosen according to the area.
Installing it inside open living rooms, majlises, and family rooms is the most suitable, since the air distribution it provides gives a wonderful impression.
The concealed air conditioner is available in capacities starting from 18000 units (1.5 tons) up to 60000 units (5 tons).
The cost of implementation and installation
The concealed air conditioner is distinguished by the fact that its implementation cost is moderate, as it is lower compared with the traditional central air conditioner, but it is 40–50% more than the split air conditioner, because it requires setup costs in addition to the presence of air ducts.
Operating cost, electricity consumption, and maintenance
The operating cost and electricity consumption of the concealed air conditioner are lower than the central air conditioner, as you can install units of different sizes and run each room as needed, and so you reduce the energy wasted on conditioning empty rooms, and it is more than its counterpart in the split air conditioner because it covers larger spaces.
Its effect on the overall look and appearance of the space
As is the case with the central air conditioner, one of the most important features of the concealed air conditioner is that it gives a magical solution for cooling and heating and provides ideal control over the temperature without affecting the interior aesthetics of the home.
Air distribution in the space
The concealed air conditioner is distinguished by the ability to direct the air to more than one area (distribution point) within the space via the air ducts "Ducts".
Routine maintenance
The concealed air conditioner has a low maintenance cost compared with central air-conditioning systems, and it also does not need much maintenance work for the indoor unit, since it is inside the false ceiling away from sources of pollution and dust.
Noise
The concealed air conditioner is characterised by quietness during operation, since the blower fans are away from the room to be cooled and are usually placed in the ceilings of the nearby bathrooms and corridors.
3. The split-unit air conditioner "Split"
What is it? And what are its features?
The split (separate) air conditioner is the most well-known and widespread air conditioner, as it is distinguished by ease of control, since you can control this device remotely, and it is also distinguished by the ability to cool the room quickly.
How it works
It is an air conditioner consisting of two separate units (which is why it was named Split), one of which is placed inside the room to be cooled and is called the evaporator "hung on the wall or fixed in the ceiling of the room", while the other unit, which is called the condensing unit, is placed outside the room "and this unit is the one that contains the mechanical parts and cooling components such as the compressor, and it can be placed on the roof of the home or hung on the external wall of the home", then the two units are connected via gas pipes and electrical cables.
The cooling principle in this type of air conditioner relies on circulating Freon gas within the cooling circuit, to obtain cold air in the end.
Structural and architectural requirements
The split air conditioner differs from the previous types in that it does not need any prior structural and architectural requirements, as when installing it, it only needs a small opening just enough for the wires and pipes that connect the two parts to pass through.
The suitable scope for implementation
These air conditioners are used more widely in bedrooms and relatively small rooms, and they are available in different sizes, some designed for small rooms, and some suitable for large rooms and warehouses, and the cooling capacities of these air conditioners range between 1 ton and 4 tons of cooling.
The cost of implementation and installation
One of the biggest advantages of the split air conditioner is that its installation cost is lower than the previous types, since it does not need any prior structural and architectural requirements, so its installation is easy and takes only a few hours.
Operating cost, electricity consumption, and maintenance
Compared with the previous types, it is considered the lowest in operating costs and electricity consumption, and it works to save energy. A special technology for split units, called inverter, has also been developed, which can save nearly 40% of energy consumption.
Its effect on the overall look and appearance of the space
Although the indoor unit of split air-conditioning units has designs characterised by variety, elegance, and aesthetic form, they affect the appearance of the décor in gypsum ceilings and sometimes clash with the décor of the curtains and spoil the overall appearance of the space, because they are visible to the eye.
Air distribution in the space
This type of air conditioner distributes air in the area surrounding the indoor unit only, and so it is not suitable for large spaces such as open living rooms, majlises, and family rooms.
Routine maintenance
The split air conditioner is the easiest and least costly in maintenance, as you can clean it yourself with ease, since it does not take much time to remove any of the dust or dirt on it.
Noise
Split air conditioners are low in noise because of the presence of the condensing unit outside the home, but it is close to the space, and therefore this type of air-conditioning unit is noisier than the previous types.
In summary of all the above, the following table summarises for you the characteristics, features, and drawbacks of the previous air conditioners, to make the choice easier for you