Table Of Contents

Most modern homes have air conditioners because they provide people with great comfort, especially during the hot summer months. In most homes where air conditioning is used, you will likely find that they use split systems. This may not be unconnected with the perceived benefits and value they stand to get from them.

If you are considering buying a split system air conditioner, you should have a good understanding of how it works. This article provides a walkthrough so that you are properly guided on how to get the best from your purchase.

Why Know How Split System Air Cons Work?

As a user or prospective buyer, understanding how split system air conditioners work should matter a lot to you. One of the reasons is that the knowledge can assist you in troubleshooting issues should the situation arise. Doing this could potentially save you some money and time on air conditioning repairs.

Additionally, if you know how to operate and properly maintain your split system air conditioner, you can rest assured that it will function more efficiently. Doing this can help drastically cut down energy costs and extend the unit's lifespan.

Components of a Split System Air Conditioner

The split system air conditioning consists of two units that work synergistically to cool the air in a room. There is the outdoor unit where the condenser and the compressor are housed and the indoor unit that contains the air handler and the evaporator.

Refrigerant lines connect these two units, and by working together, they can reduce the room temperature and circulate cool air throughout a building.

The outdoor unit

Typically, you will find the outdoor unit of a split system air conditioner on the ground. Sometimes it is mounted on a wall outside the building where the air conditioning system is needed. This unit comprises a condenser coil, compressor, and fan.

The compressor pumps refrigerant through the entire system while the condenser coil removes the heat the refrigerant absorbs. The function of the fan is to blow air over the condenser coil in a bid to dissipate the heat that is absorbed to the outside.

The indoor unit

This unit contains a fan, an air filter, and an evaporator coil. The work of the evaporator coil is to extract heat from the air in the room and eventually cool the air. The now cooled air is then blown back into the space where people need it. The air filter works to remove pollen, dust, and any other particle that may be suspended in the air.

Refrigerant lines

Refrigerant lines are needed to connect a split-system air conditioner's outdoor and indoor units. They work to move the refrigerant between these two units, allowing the cooling process to occur.

The heat from the indoor air gets absorbed by the refrigerant as it passes through the evaporator coil. The heat absorbed is released outside as the refrigerant passes through the condenser coil.

Control panel

Typically, the control panel of a split system air conditioner is located on the indoor unit. This is the component that makes it possible for you to adjust the temperature and fan speed. Some control panels have additional features, such as sleep or timer mode.

The functionality of some split system air conditioners may also be controlled remotely through the use of smartphone apps or any other smart home device.

How the Components of a Split System Work

Cooling cycle

The cooling cycle of split systems begins with the compressor in the outdoor unit working to compress the refrigerant gas into a high-temperature and high-pressure state. The refrigerant gets pumped along the refrigerant lines and eventually to the indoor unit.

The refrigerant will eventually begin to flow through an expansion, and this causes it to expand rapidly and then cools down. When the refrigerant has been cooled, it is circulated through the indoor unit's evaporator coils.

It absorbs heat and moisture from the air by moving over the coils. The air that has been dehumidified and cooled is then sent back into the room with the aid of the fan in the indoor unit.

Air handling cycle

In the air handling cycle of a split system air conditioner, warm air from the room is drawn by the indoor unit's fan and blown over the evaporator coils. This process gets the air cooled and dehumidified, after which it is then blown into the room via the indoor unit's vents.

The outdoor unit's fan draws air from outside and transfers it over the condenser coils in the outdoor unit. At this stage, the heat absorbed from inside the room is released to the outside.

Thermostat control

The temperature and humidity levels inside a room where a split system air conditioner is installed can be regulated with thermostat control. It does this when it senses the temperature and humidity and accordingly adjusts the cooling and dehumidification process.

As soon as the temperature in the room gets above the set point, the thermostat will send signals to the air conditioner to begin the cooling cycle. When the desired temperature is attained, the air conditioner is shut off.

Similarly, once the air conditioner detects that the humidity level in the room is too high, it will initiate the dehumidification process to reduce the humidity level. You can adjust the thermostat manually or set it to a pre-programmed schedule for desired temperature and humidity.

Advantages of a Split System Air Con System

Split system air conditioners have advantages that make many people want to have them either at home or in their office. Some of the advantages of using a split-system air conditioner are listed below:

Energy efficiency

Split system air conditioners are known for being highly energy-efficient. This makes them the right choice for many homes and businesses that want to save on energy bills. Contrary to what is obtainable in central air conditioning systems that can cool the entire house, split system air conditioners will only cool the rooms where they are installed. This results in less energy wasted in air conditioning.

Improved air quality

Split-system air conditioners can do a lot to improve indoor air quality. This they do by removing allergens, dust, and pollutants from the air. This feature makes them the right choice for people that are asthmatic, allergic, or have respiratory problems.

Quiet operation

Split-system air conditioners can be the right fit for places where noise cannot be tolerated. This is because they can operate quietly, which makes them ideal for offices, homes, and other quiet environments.

Easy installation

Installing a split system air conditioner is relatively easy, and you can expect minimal ductwork. This is another reason they are ideal for older homes or homes with limited space for ductwork.

Disadvantages of Split System air Conditioners

Higher cost

It may be more expensive to have air conditioners on split systems than other types of air conditioning systems, especially where professional air conditioning installation is required.

Limited cooling capacity

Split-system air conditioners are unsuitable for cooling commercial buildings or large homes because they are designed to cool only specific areas.

Need for professional installation

Professional installation processes are often involved in the installation of split-system air conditioners. This will ultimately add to the overall cost of installing such air conditioning systems.

Consult A Professional About The Split System

The information shared here is to get you started and acquainted with the split system air conditioning system, but you can learn a lot more. For example, you can still learn about troubleshooting issues when they arise because you will likely face some along the way.

However, rest assured that these issues are not things that cannot be handled.

If you get confused or are stuck with an issue you cannot handle alone, the best thing to do is to consult a professional. Inform your HVAC professional about the problem early enough so that it can be handled as soon as possible and prevent more damage.

Get a free quote

Max file size 10MB.
Uploading...
fileuploaded.jpg
Upload failed. Max size for files is 10 MB.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Get ready for summer with Aircon Advisory

Don't wait until summer to be sure your AC can handle the heat. Call the experts at Aircon Advisory for peace of mind and to ensure your unit is running at top performance.

More from Our Blog

Blogs You Might Also Like

See All Posts