Have you heard about window-type, split-type, or central air conditioner, but a package unit? You might be confused about the term, but it has been around quite a long time.
So, what is it? Well, it is how manufacturers like to cover all their basics. Split-type or window-type ACs typically are installed to cool down smaller rooms. Their maximum capacity is about five tons. Meanwhile, central ACs are ideal for bigger rooms where the required cooling loads exceed 20 tons.
The package unit air conditioner fills all the little gaps in between. You can purchase or rent units with cooling loads of three, five, and seven tons, as well as 10 and 15 tons. You do not usually find them in private dwellings, but rather in restaurants, boutiques, small storehouses, and others.
In terms of the components, every essential part is enclosed in a single container. Just like with the window-type AC, you will find the air filter, cooling coil, compressor, and air handling unit at the same location.
Types of Package Unit Air Conditioners
Here are the two main types of package unit machines:
Water-Cooled Condenser Package Unit — As the name implies, this type of package unit uses water to cool the condenser. The condenser itself is manufactured from tube and shell, along with a refrigerant that flows along the tube’s sides and the cooled water gushing through the shell side. You need to watch out for the water level because it requires continuous liquid flow to optimise function.
The compressor can be found at the floor, safely ensconced with the condenser. The components above them include the cooling coil and the evaporator. You can also find several cavities for the duct or multiple ducts that extend to the rooms within the building that you want to cool.
Air-Cooled Condenser Package Unit — Instead of water, the condenser on this type of package unit uses the atmospheric air to cool down the room. This type also has an outdoor unit, which houses the crucial parts like the condenser, compressor, or even the expansion valve. The outdoor unit must be protected from flying or falling debris because it is expensive to repair and replace. If you ever encounter issues with your outdoor unit, it’s best to have them repaired right away by ac repair Las vegas to prevent further costs in the future.You can put it on your terrace or backyard, as long as air flow remains uninterrupted. The air-cooled package unit will use the outside air and funnel it into the condenser coil where the magic happens. Some ducts would extend to the rooms that you wanted to be cooled.
The air-cooled type is much more commonly used than the water-cooled condenser package unit. For one, it takes less of a headache to maintain, unlike with the other design, which requires the constant flow of water.
Conclusion
Whatever the type, the design of the package unit differentiates it from the window-type or the central air conditioning unit. It is minimalist, modular, and even mechanical. At the very least, it places more premium on function rather than form.
So, which one is right for you? It depends on your needs as they both have their respective pros and cons. For example, while it is more expensive to install and purchase water-cooled condensers, you also save money on utility bills because they are more efficient in terms of cooling capacity.
