Air Conditioning Configurations

Air Conditioning Split Systems

In an air conditioning split system, there are 3 individual parts. These parts consist of the compressor, the furnace with a cooling coil, and the ductwork inside the house. The compressor is the part outside and the furnace and cooling coil are located inside the house. The compressor sends cooled refrigerant to the cooling coil. The cooling coil absorbs the heat into the refrigerant from the air blowing over it. The air is blown back into the house through the ductwork with less heat, making the house cooler. The refrigerant then returns to the compressor from the cooling coil to be cooled once again and sent back to the cooling coil. The split system air conditioner has a furnace connected to the cooling coil. When the air needs to be heated, the gas powered furnace turns on and heats the air.

Heat Pump Split Systems

In a split system heat pump, there are 3 seperate parts. These parts consist of the compressor outside, the air handler inside, and the ductwork inside the house. When the heat pump is in cooling mode, the compressor sends cooled refrigerant to the air handler. The air handler passes air by the cooled refrigerant to absorb the heat and moisture out of the air. The air is then passed back into the house through the ductwork and the refrigerant is sent back to the compressor to be cooled once again. When the heat pump is in heating mode, the process is reversed. The compressor heats the refrigerant, which is then transferred into the air handler. The air handler passes the cool air over the warm refrigerant to add heat to the house. The refrigerant then returns back to the compressor to be heated again.

Packaged Systems

Both air conditioners and heat pumps are offered in packaged systems as well. The packaged systems operate the same way as the split systems except for one thing. The packaged air conditioner combines the compressor and the furnace with the cooling coil into one package outside the house. The packaged heat pump is the same, having the air handler and compressor packaged together outside the house. Other than this, they operate the same way as the split systems.