Published: 23/03/2020
Looking to install a new air conditioning system or upgrade your current system? You may have heard about traditional central air conditioning and ductless air conditioning. What are the key differences between them, and which is the right option for you?
In this blog, we’ll take a look at each type of system, detailing the benefits and drawbacks of central and ductless systems. We’ll also provide the information you’ll need to choose which type of could be most appropriate for your business.
What are the different types of air conditioning?
Central air conditioning
Central air conditioning uses a series of ducts to distribute the cool air throughout each room in your office. A conditioning unit is generally installed outside the building, often next to the building or on the roof.
Below is a brief summary of the main benefits and drawbacks of a central air conditioning system.
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Benefits |
Drawbacks |
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One unit can be used to cool several rooms, central air conditioning can cool a much larger area. |
If your business doesn't have any existing ductwork, it can be very costly and to install duct networks. |
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Can take advantage of existing ductwork which may be in place for some types of heating systems. |
Tends to be louder than ductless. Although this isn’t always the case, so make sure to check before making a decision. |
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Less visible as central air conditioning does not require a unit to be installed on the inside of rooms. |
In the majority of cases, central air conditioning systems are more expensive to purchase. |
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Less efficient than ductless air conditioning as the air has to travel through ducts before making its way into the room. This means the cool air will begin to heat up before reaching its final destination. |
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Although you can have individual zoning control, the advanced ductwork required can be costly. |
Ductless air conditioning
You may also see this type of system described as a mini-split system. As you can probably guess, the main difference between the two systems is that regular central air conditioning uses ducts, whereas a ductless system does not. Instead, ductless air conditioning installs directly into the wall.
Below is a brief summary of the main benefits and drawbacks of a ductless air conditioning system.
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Benefits |
Drawbacks |
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In the majority of cases, ductless air conditioning will be cheaper as they don’t require a series of ducts to be installed. |
Inefficient at cooling multiple rooms or floors. As the unit is installed in a single room, you may require multiple units depending on the size of your business. |
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Generally quieter than the central counterpart, which could be important in certain rooms such as a meeting room. |
If you have a customer facing business with a carefully designed interior, having a cooling unit visible inside the room may be an eyesore. |
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More energy efficient as the cool air is pumped directly into the room. |
Can be more expensive overall if you require multiple units. This will likely be necessary for larger offices or businesses. |
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It’s easier to have zoning control with a ductless system as each unit can be controlled individually and doesn’t require any advanced infrastructure. |
Which air conditioning system should your business use?
There’s no universal answer here as the type of system most appropriate for your business depends on several factors. Here are some of the main considerations;
- How much space are you aiming to cool, how many rooms and how many floors? The general rule is that larger businesses with multiple floors and large rooms will want to use central air conditioning, as it will be much cheaper to install than purchasing several ductless units.
- Does your business have existing ductwork? If so, it makes sense to take advantage of that existing network through a central air conditioning system. However, if not, it can be costly to install so a ductless system may be a better option.
- Would your business take advantage of zoning control? This allows for each room or floor to have different temperatures set, and is often cheaper to do with ductless systems. If zoning control is something your business would use, it may be better suited to a ductless system.
Next steps
The best thing to do when making large financial decisions such as deciding which type of air conditioning system to use is to speak to an expert. As one of Hull and East Yorkshire’s premier air conditioning specialists, we help businesses from a huge range of sectors to keep their premises cool, comfortable and productive. Established in 1982, we’ve installed our systems in independent stores and popular supermarkets, schools and universities, hospitals and laboratories, and so many pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels that we lost count years ago.
Whether your business is an office with multiple rooms, an open-plan restaurant or anything in-between, call us today on 01482 371888 or email [email protected] and we’ll work out exactly which type of air conditioning system will keep it cool, welcoming and the perfect place to do business.