How Split Air Conditioner Works

Air conditioning is indeed a necessity today in most homes in North America. Home air conditioners regulate both high temperatures and humidity. A split air conditioner is a type of air conditioner that works by blowing cold air from units mounted on your wall.

A residential split air conditioner has two separate parts, which gives it its name. It has an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. The outdoor unit consists of the compressor and the condenser coils, while the indoor unit has the blower and the evaporator coils. The split AC is the most popular central air conditioning unit. One reason why it’s split is that it keeps the cool inside and the hot outside.

Here’s how a split air conditioner works:

  • A refrigerant will be pressurized in the compressor which will also cause the gas’ heat to rise.
  • The pressurized gas will then go through a series of tubes which will turn it to liquid.
  • The liquid will still be pressurized and will go through the condenser coils until it reaches the expansion joint.
  • As it passes through the joint, it will reduce the pressure and will turn to gas.
  • As the pressure is reduced, the gas also releases heat and will become much cooler.
  • The gas will return to the compressor to repeat the same process while the air that is being drawn from the room will pass over the evaporator coils which will cool it.
  • The cooled air will be blown back to the room by the blower.
  • The air will continue to circulate in the air conditioner until it reaches the set temperature.
  • Once the temperature is reached, the apparatus will automatically shut off.

This process is very much the same as that of other air conditioners. The difference is that one unit is outside while another is inside.

The compressor, condenser coils, and vent fan (which are located outside) are connected to the evaporator coils and blower (which are inside) by pipes or tubing.

Central air conditioners are considered a split air conditioner; although people see split units as a unit with a smaller compressor box which is placed outside and individual units inside the house.

Split air conditioners are made to cool your rooms even without ducting. It’s a simpler system and it gives you better zone control.

What makes this type of air conditioners effective?

  • Compared to a window unit, this type of air conditioner has a bigger compressor which can cool a larger area.
  • You can attach one compressor to different ducting or ductless units.
  • Easy maintenance for the two units.

Another concern would be the efficiency. Know that when the individual units in rooms aren’t running, then they’re not operating; however, the compressor’s always ready which means there is less cost in the starting and shutting down of the system.

What makes this type different?

There’s really no difference since central air conditioners are technically split systems, except that split air conditioners do not require ductwork.

However, compared to a window and portable air conditioner, the difference with a split system is the size and the area that it can effectively cool.

Also, a split AC has a greater overall capacity and a larger compressor compared to portable and window air conditioner.

Lastly, compared to smaller units, the split system’s two main parts are separated unlike the smaller units that has all parts in one box.

Here are the parts that a split system contains:

Just like other air conditioners, a split system has a compressor, condenser coils, expansion joint, and a vent fan; however, these are in the outside unit. As for the inside unit, it has the evaporator coils, blower, filter and the individual unit boxes. It also has a thermostat that controls the entire unit.

All the information mentioned above should help you decide if you should go for split air conditioners. As always, you can discuss your cooling options with your trusted HVAC company.