subject: Split Ductless Air Conditioners: Zoning, Varieties And Designs [print this page] Residential air conditioners are sized from the smallest portable window unit up to huge central air systems that can weigh 5 tons or more. Self contained units have the advantage of low initial cost, mobility and easy installation, while central air units cool larger volumes at lower overall operating costs. Bridging the gap between these extremes is the split ductless air conditioner.
Ducted systems use the same ductwork that forced air heating uses by simply adding a cooling unit to the furnace supply, allowing coverage for an entire living space. Equivalent cooling with window units would require an air conditioner in almost every room. Unfortunately, the initial outlay for a central air system, along with maintenance and repair costs makes this solution prohibitively expensive when air conditioning isn't a high priority. For instance in motel rooms that may or may not be rented any particular night or in areas of the country with shorter or cooler summers.
Below, we have explained the main types to help you make the right choice for your needs and budget.
Economical split system air conditioners: These type of hybrid cooling systems are becoming increasingly popular among Wisconsin home owners on account of their exceptional performance and cost savings. Specialized controls determine the least cost operation so you can adjust to changes in fuel and electricity rates. More importantly, they give you the zoning flexibility of a conventional room unit along with the whole-house cooling potential of a central system. Many split system air conditioner units can provide both summer cooling and winter heating. Easy to install in new homes or as retrofits, you also have a ductless split system option which doesn't interfere with your interior design in any way.
Geothermal cooling: Use of renewable energy makes geothermal air conditioning a low cost operation. Installation is also more economical when fitted into a building's initial design. A geothermal system uses energy from the earth's core to power the equipment. A series of pipes (ground loop) is buried under your yard and an ethanol solution is circulated through them to make the loop a highly efficient conductor of heat. In summer, the heat transfer process is reversed for cooling. The ethanol fluid in the pipes leaves the house in a warm state, and after it circulates underground, returns at a lower temperature to cool your home. Geothermal cooling systems are known to last longer than traditional ACs.
