The Different Types Of Commercial Air Conditioning and Which One is Right For Your Business

Commercial Air Conditioning systems are widely used in a range of commercial properties to control the levels of heat and humidity in the building, and often playing an essential role in ensuring the environment is comfortable for both workers and customers alike.

JR Cooling have been specialists in air conditioning design and installation for over 30 years, so we understand how important it is to choose the most effective air conditioning installation for your property – which is why we’ve created this helpful guide to help you understand the differences between each type of commercial air conditioning, so you can select the best option for your various needs and business requirements.

The Basics of Commercial Air Conditioning

All commercial air conditioning units work by circulating a refrigerant which cools and dehumidifies the warm air that enters the unit, before releasing it back into the space it originally came from.

Understanding the key components that make up commercial air conditioning units help us to understand the key differences between each type:

Evaporator coil – The evaporator coil holds the chilled refrigerant which removes the heat and moisture from the air through the process of evaporation.

Condenser coil – The condenser coil removes and releases the heat from the refrigerant into the outdoor air as it condenses.

Compressor – The compressor is the part of the system which circulates the refrigerant between the two coils.

Fans – The fans are placed on the outside of the unit and pull the air through the coils so that the heat can be dispersed.

Air Filters – Air filters trap dust, pollen and other airborne particles as the air moves though the system.

Monoblock Air Conditioners

Monoblock air conditioning units are the most basic type of commercial air conditioning available, containing both sets of coils in a single unit. They are commonly installed indoors with a simple exhaust pipe attached through the wall to move the heat outside.

As all the components of a monoblock air conditioner are combined into a single unit, they are relatively cheap and easier to install than other types of commercial air conditioning systems available.

These models can also be portable if the exhaust pipe is not attached through the wall, allowing them to be moved into different rooms depending on which areas need cooling. However, this can make monoblock air conditioners less efficient than other types of air conditioners because heat that is not effectively dispersed through a portable ac unit can leak back into the room.

Monoblock air conditioners can either be portable, wall mounted, floor mounted or spot coolers. While portable monoblock units don’t require any mounting, which can make them cheaper and easier to install, they are often noisy and have limited cooling capacities.

Wall mounted monoblock air conditioners, as the name suggests, can be installed on the wall with two pipes attached to transfer the heat to the outside, perfect for buildings with planning restrictions who can’t install more complex air conditioning models. Floor mounted air conditioners are installed similarly to wall mounted air conditioners except, as you probably guessed, are installed on the ground level.

Spot Coolers have many applications. They are designed for heavy-duty industrial processes, such as on aircraft and ships, but can also be used in classrooms and medical centres where a certain spot or room needs to be targeted for cooling – hence the name “Spot Cooler.” By using snout pipes to transport cool air, these monoblock air conditioners can also provide cooling to rooms they are not physically in. 

Single Split Air Conditioner Systems

Single split air conditioning systems are one of the most common types of commercial air conditioning systems due to its simplicity and low cost. It consists of two units, one indoors and one outside the building.

The outdoor unit contains the compressor, the condenser coil and the expansion valve, while the indoor unit contains the evaporator coil, the fans and the air filters. As all of the components which make noise are stored in the external unit, the indoor unit of a split system is quieter and less distracting than a monoblock air conditioner.

The outdoor unit is usually installed directly onto the exterior wall of the room it cools and is connected to the indoor unit using electrical wires and copper tubing, meaning no ductwork is required. This makes single-split air conditioners cheaper and easier to install than a central heating system, perfect for small commercial buildings such as cafés, restaurants and small offices who only require heating and cooling in individual rooms.

As every indoor unit requires an outdoor unit, you need to make sure you have enough external wall space to contain as many outdoor units as needed for your indoor units. This makes single split systems more suited for smaller applications, as it may be impractical for larger commercial properties to strap loads of industrial air conditioning units to the outside of their building, and can also affect the appearance of the building’s exterior.

However, as each single split system is self-contained, if you do choose to install multiple units you don’t need to worry about large-scale breakdowns. If one of your systems break down the others won’t be affected as they function independently of each other, making it a safe choice for businesses who require a more reliable commercial air conditioning solution.

Multi-Split Air Conditioner Systems

These type of air conditioning systems work in the same way as single-split air conditioners, except each indoor unit doesn’t require its own outdoor unit. Multiple indoor units, typically up to about 9, can all be connected to one single, larger outdoor unit. This makes multi-split air conditioning systems perfect for larger office spaces, retail shops, doctors surgeries restaurants and other buildings with many rooms or multiple floors. 

Multi-split systems are also more technologically advanced than other types of air conditioning systems, with inverter technology allowing the compressor to operate at variable speeds depending on the different heating requirements throughout the day, as well as sensors which can detect changers in temperature to adjust the heating or cooling output, helping to cut down on how much energy is consumed.

However, due to the increased complexity of multi-split air conditioning systems and the increased amount of pipework it takes to connect multiple units, the cost and length of time it takes for the installation is higher than the systems we’ve previously talked about, which can make it less economical for smaller businesses to choose a multi-split system over a single-split system.

Although, for larger companies looking to invest in a more efficient air conditioning solution, a multi-split system can be cost-effective overtime thanks to the heat pumps within the system which can focus on cooling and heating separate areas at the same time, saving you money and energy in the long-run which would otherwise be wasted.

The need for fewer outdoor units also allows you to preserve the appearance your building’s exterior while still achieving a high-level of air conditioning inside. It also removes any limitations on the types of indoor units you can choose to install as you can have any combination of wall and ceiling mounted AC units all connected to the same external unit.

VRV/VRF Air Conditioner Systems

Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) and Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems both refer to the same type of air conditioning system. Consisting of outdoor condenser units and indoor fan coil units the same way as traditional aircon units, VRF differentiates itself by incorporating several smaller air handlers which can be individually controlled and piped back to a single system.

This allows you to control the amount of refrigerant that flows to each of these smaller air handlers, where the name ‘Variable Refrigerant Flow’ comes from. This makes this air-cooled AC solution the most efficient choice for medium to larger-sized properties such as a mixed-use building or hotels where the temperature needs to be controlled across a number of individual rooms.

VRF systems can either be heat pump systems or heat recovery systems. Heat pump systems can provide heating and cooling but not both at the same time, ideal for more open-plan areas where all zones will be either cooled or heated. Heat recovery systems allow both heating and cooling to occur simultaneously, perfect for buildings with a number of individual rooms. It is called a heat recovery system as it operates by collecting waste heat from other areas of the building and using it to heat other rooms.

Due to the complex zonal cooling and heating control, which allows for complete temperature control of the local environment, VRF air conditioning systems are more expensive to purchase and install than other, more simple AC units. You may also need to consider investing in a back-up condenser, as if all of the internal units are connected to the same outside unit, a break-down in the external unit can lead to the whole VRF system failing.

CAV and VAV Air Conditioning Systems

Unlike the types of air conditioning systems mentioned previously, these type of AC systems refer to differences in the types of compressor used within each system, rather than the air handling units (AHU) or the layout of the system itself. This means that any of the previous systems can also be CAV or VAV, depending on your heating and cooling requirements.

Constant Air Volume Systems

Constant Air Volume (CAV) air conditioning systems keep a constant airflow by using a compressor which operates at full capacity until the temperature required in the building is achieved. CAV systems are better suited for single-zone applications where the environment experiences a minimal change over-time, such as in commercial buildings where single-split aircon units are used.

Their design makes them ideal for commercial spaces where temperatures are required to remain constant for longer periods of time, such as manufacturing and warehouse facilities.

Variable Air Volume Systems

While CAV systems supply a constant airflow at a variable temperature, Variable Air Volume (VAV) air conditioning systems vary the airflow depending on the temperature of the room by increasing or decreasing the fan speed and refrigerant flow to maintain consistent temperatures and increase energy efficiency. 

This makes VAV systems more suitable for spaces with varying heating and cooling needs and variable ventilation loads, and is used in a wider range of applications such as arenas, shopping centres, libraries, hospital and most other multi-zone applications. 

Commercial Air Conditioning Solutions with JR Cooling

You should now hopefully have a better understanding of the commercial air conditioning solutions available for your business and which one is best suited to your business’ size requirements and heating and cooling needs.
However, if you’re still unsure about which commercial air conditioning service is right for you don’t worry! JR Cooling’s heating and cooling engineers are on-hand to help with expert advice and guidance to ensure you get the best AC system for your business. Simply get in touch with a member of our team today and you can receive a free quote on any of our leading AC design and installation services today!