Are you planning to change your old air conditioning unit or are you about to make home renovations and do not know which system to choose to stay cool during the summer? Here is some information on the most popular solutions in Quebec, just to guide you a little before you go to an air conditioning contractor.
Although both types of air conditioning work on the same principles, there are a few distinctions that should help you decide between the two, depending on the area to be cooled, your home insulation, the number of windows and the existing heating system.
MULTI-ZONE WALL air conditioning and CENTRAL air conditioning:
Two different types of installation
A first difference between the two types of air conditioning is related to installation, because for a central air conditioner, it is necessary that the house has a air duct system (the same one usually used for heating). So all that’s left to do to cool the entire house, regardless of the square footage, is to install an air conditioning unit.
On the other hand, if the house does not have this system, and you do not want to add additional costs for new ducts, it is better to choose multi-zone air conditioning. This consists of an outdoor unit with 1 to 6 indoor units. Moreover, installation is quite simple and quick, with a connection between the outdoor unit and the ones indoor.
What are the differences between the two systems as to their operation?
While central air conditioning is more aesthetic and more efficient (because fresh air comes out of a large number of ducts arranged in the house and not just from a unit), multi-zone air conditioning has the advantage of allowing you to just cool certain rooms, as needed, and not necessarily the whole house.
Performance comparison
Although both systems are effective in cooling the whole house, central air conditioning allows relatively little control over the temperature in each room, while multi-zone air conditioning precisely controls the temperature for a defined space. This ability to cool only one room also helps reduce electricity bills.
In terms of acoustic comfort, the central air conditioner is more advantageous, since the indoor unit is usually hidden under a false ceiling, while the indoor units of the multi-zone system are fixed to the walls and the noise is more easily noticeable, and can even be annoying.
Conclusion, what to remember
For your comfort and health, any air conditioning will be a good investment and both options allow you to cool multiple rooms in the house. The essential difference is that the central air conditioning consists of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit connected to a duct system, while the multi-zone one connects an outdoor unit to several indoor units. Central air conditioning is quieter and more aesthetic, but also more expensive and difficult to install in dwellings without air ducts. In turn, multi-zone air conditioning is more adaptable and easier to install, but less efficient in the long run.
For more details on the various options for your home, please do not hesitate to contact us! We will be happy to advise you and present our branded products (among others, York central air conditioning, Daikin wall air conditioning)!