fbpx
Shopping Cart

Shop Our Online-Deals!

Keeping Cool With Air Conditioning

If you live in the Southern United States, air conditioning is an absolute necessity! With the summer temperatures reaching upwards of 103°F, staying cool can be impossible without a cooling system. However, finding the right equipment for your cooling application can be tricky. The amount of specialized vocabulary in articles that result from a simple internet search does not help. Knowing the different cooling technologies and their benefits helps to choose an overall solution for your space.

What Is HVAC?

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. It refers to equipment that can perform any of these functions, such as heaters, air conditioners, or fans. Air conditioners regulate the temperature and the overall comfort level of a space.

Different Cooling Solutions

Source: This Old House

Central Air Conditioners

Central air conditioners are commonly found in residential applications. A central system is composed of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit, also called an air handler or evaporator, is often found in the attic, the basement, or a closet. A fan inside the evaporator blows air over coils, which are full of refrigerant in a liquid state. The newly cooled air is blown to various areas of your house via a ducting system.

Once the refrigerant absorbs heat, it will change into a gaseous state and move to the outdoor unit. The heat carried by the gaseous refrigerant is blasted outside, and the refrigerant recovers its liquid form. This cycle will repeat until the indoor temperature reaches the level set by the thermostat. 

Ductless Air Conditioners

Ductless air conditioners, also known as mini-split systems, consist of an indoor evaporator and an outdoor condenser. However, they do not rely on a duct network to carry the cool air throughout a space. Instead, the indoor unit is mounted directly in the room and distributes cool air. Since its purpose is to cool that room, each zone you wish to cool needs one indoor unit. Some systems are multi-zone which allows independent temperature control in each area. Ductless units are noted for their ease of installation, energy efficiency, and temperature zone control.

Window Air Conditioners

In window air conditioners, all functions are performed by one single unit installed through a window. A window air conditioner is typically utilized to cool a single room, but can easily be relocated to a different window as needed. A window air conditioner is an excellent option if you need cheap and flexible supplemental cooling.

Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners

Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) are sometimes called “hotel units” as they are often found in hotel rooms. In this instance, “packaged” indicates the evaporator and condenser are in one self-contained unit, rather than an indoor and outdoor component. A PTAC is installed through an opening in the wall, leaving the windows unencumbered. Additionally, PTACs allow users to fully control the temperature in each room, which is essential in the hospitality industry.

Vertical Packaged Units 

Vertical Packaged Units (VPU), also called wall-mount air conditioners, combine the space-saving benefits of packaged units but deliver enough performance for light to heavy commercial applications, such as schools, modular buildings, and communication equipment shelters. These lesser-known air conditioning units do not require ducting, which makes them cheaper than central air conditioning systems in many applications. They can often supply both heating and cooling, are very durable, and are cost-effective over a long lifespan. VPUs are also energy efficient, with many units boasting an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of 11. 

Portable Air Conditioners

Portable air conditioners are versatile plug-and-play solutions that can provide supplemental cooling anywhere with an electrical outlet available – in the case of water-cooled models, a water source is required as well. They are often mounted on casters and can be wheeled easily from room to room.

Portable coolers are ideal for spot cooling of smaller areas where heat builds up, such as manufacturing lines with heavy machinery. They are also budget-friendly solutions to address seasonal peaks in cooling demand when central systems are impractical or inadequate. Finally, they can help address emergency cooling needs in case of equipment breakdowns.

Most portable air conditioners are similar to a packaged system in their operation. The cold air is typically distributed through flexible ducts, which can be oriented for a targeted blast where cooling is most needed. When used indoors, the heat must be exhausted out of the room through a ducting kit. Alternatively, water-cooled portable air conditioners cool down hot air with an incoming water source, either a chiller or a continuous water supply. These units are less common but are great solutions where ducting is not available, as they do not require a hot air exhaust.

Ask the Cool People

Researching air conditioning equipment and navigating the information available can feel overwhelming. Knowing what equipment is available, how it works, and its benefits make narrowing down your options easier.

However, when in doubt, contacting a cooling specialist to answer any questions and help you select an overall climate solution is your best bet.

ISC Sales has a complete team of cooling application experts who can guide you through your decision-making process. Call us at (877) 602-0010 to help identify the best products to keep your space comfortable.

Quick Quote
Or call (877) 602-0010 for immediate help.
(877)602-0010