Types of Central Air Conditioning

Split System

• Split-system central air conditioning consists of an outdoor metal cabinet that houses the compressor and condenser and an indoor cabinet that contains the evaporator. Often, with split systems, the indoor cabinet also houses a furnace or the indoor part of a heat pump. The cabinet or main supply duct of this furnace or heat pump becomes the installation location of an air conditioner's evaporator coil. For houses that already have a furnace, installing a split-system is the least costly choice.

Packaged

• The evaporator, compressor and condenser of a packaged central air conditioner are located in the same cabinet. This cabinet is usually placed outdoors on a roof or on a concrete slab adjacent to the house's foundation. The packaged air conditioner is then connected to the house using air supply and return ducts that come from within the house through an exterior wall or roof. Many packaged air conditioners include a natural gas furnace or electric heating coils, meaning that a separate indoor furnace is not needed.

Ductless Mini-Split Systems

• A specialty type of split-system air conditioning is the mini-split system. The difference between conventional split-system air conditioners and mini-split systems is that with the mini-split system each room or zone has its own air handler connected to the outdoor unit by way of a conduit that carries the power, refrigerant and condensate lines. The lack of ducts reduces energy losses, saving money. Plus, because each room or zone has a dedicated air handler, the temperature of each space can be controlled individually. However, mini-splits cost 30 percent more than a standard split-system central air conditioner of the same size, according to the American Council for Energy Efficient Economy.

Small-Diameter High-Velocity Systems

• Small-diameter high-velocity systems are also a type of split system. These systems use insulated flex ducts small enough to install more easily in existing walls than traditional ducts. These systems use a special fan coil and air handling unit to generate high pressure air and force it through the smaller ducts. However, these systems are less energy-efficient than other types of central air conditioning.