What Is Split System Air Conditioning?

Air conditioning systems come in several different variations, including split, central, window and floor mounted units. Split systems are the most popular for domestic and small to medium size office buildings.
 
But what exactly is a split air conditioning system? In this blog, we are going to explore split systems in more detail to give you a better idea of why they are one of the most practical and cost-effective solutions for your home.

Before we look at what a split system is we should first look at how air conditioning systems work. There is a common misconception that AC systems generate cold air. But what they actually do is remove warm air from inside your home and transfer it outside.
 
All air conditioning systems, regardless of their type, consist of the following components; a compressor, condenser coil, transfer piping, evaporator coil and a fan blower.
 
Warm air from inside the room is blown over the evaporator coil. This contains a refrigerant that absorbs heat from the air inside the room. A refrigerant is a liquid that turns to gas at a very low temperature.
 
As the refrigerant absorbs heat from the air, it heats up turning from a liquid into a gas. The gas is then compressed to further increase its temperature before being passed into the condenser.
 
A fan blows air through the condenser, transferring the heat outside. This causes the hot gas to condense back into a cold liquid. The liquid refrigerant is then passed back to the evaporator coil and the process starts again.

Split air conditioning systems separate these components into indoor and outdoor units. The indoor unit contains the evaporator coil and fan. While the outdoor unit contains the condenser and extraction fan. The two units are connected by a network of pipes.
 
Mounting the condenser outside makes it easier to expel warm air from the system. With an integrated or central system, the warm air either needs to be exhausted through a window/vent or channelled through a network of ducts as with a ducted system.
 
Split systems also allow multiple indoor units to be connected to a single outdoor unit. This is known as a multi-split air conditioning system. Multi-splits allow you to cool multiple rooms and are more cost-effective to run than a floor or window-mounted unit.

• Easier to install than a central unit
  
• Less space is required inside the building
  
• Noisey components are kept outside
  
• More efficient than integrated window or floor mounted units
  
• Can be used to cool multiple rooms
  
• Can be controlled by a central building management system

Are you looking to replace an old worn-out AC system with a new efficient split system? Then get in touch with the experts at Mulherin Air today. We will assess your property before recommending the most appropriate cooling solution.
 
We are located in Central Mackay QLD and support homes and businesses on the Coral Sea Coast. Arrange an appointment today by completing the contact form here or give us a call on 07 4957 6399.