So how does air conditioning actually work?
The short answer to this is, the internal unit draws in warm air from the room (usually on the top of the unit), chills and filters the air, then expels it back into the room using its internal fan. The heat thats separated from the air is then expelled by the outdoor unit. Because air conditioning works best as a ‘closed system’, whereby the air in the room is recirculated, this is why people tell you to keep windows closed when using it. It’s also why when you’re abroad, the air con often turns off when you open the balcony door!
Think of it like your car air conditioning – it’s always more efficient to use the ‘recirculate air’ button so the air con doesn’t have to work so hard to cool outside air – its just maintaining the temperature of the already-cooled air in the car. This is the most energy efficient way to use air con.
What does the outdoor unit do?
In simple terms, the outdoor unit is only really there to get rid of the heat expelled from the indoor unit. After all, that heat has to go somewhere! This is also why portable air conditioners require you to put a hose out of the window, to give that heat somewhere to go.
What differences are there between manufacturers?
With air con the differences between units can be subtle or obvious. The obvious differences can be the styling of the indoor unit, colour choices or special finishes. Subtle differences include power efficiency which will save you money long-term, the noise level of the indoor unit (particularly important if you’re installing the units in a bedroom), or whether they include features such as a WiFi module for smart home compatibility and app control.
What is a multi-split system?
These are pretty simple to understand. If you’re looking to cool or heat multiple rooms, a multi split system allows you to have 2 or 3 indoor units, but only 1 outdoor unit to power them all. This means less space taken up in your outdoor area and a more energy efficient way of running your air conditioning.
What should I look for when choosing a system?
This depends mostly on what’s important for you. If you want to be able to control the unit when you’re not at home, make sure it has a WiFi module built in. If you’re worried about your electricity bills, take a look at the energy efficiency for both heating and cooling. If you’re focussed on the style of the unit, then take a look at units that offer a range of colour choices, or are low profile to blend in with the room more. Check out our various comparisson tables in our advice blog to see the pro’s and con’s of each.