Air conditioners are a vital part of the Floridian lifestyle. Not only do they help keep your home comfortable and livable, but they’re also incredibly important in commercial spaces. Otherwise, your clientele will be uncomfortable and they won’t stay on site long. At the same time, commercial air conditioner units keep your employees comfortable and working at maximum efficiency.
But before you choose this kind of air conditioner, there are a number of factors you’ll want to consider to make sure you choose the best option for your needs. Before making a considerable investment in commercial AC, there’s all kinds of information worth covering, and that’s what you’ll find in this post!
For starters, keep in mind air conditioners tend to be bigger and more expensive than residential AC. At the same time, its components are more complex and customized to meet individual business needs.
How to Choose the Best Commercial Cool Air Conditioner
Here are some of the factors to consider to help you choose the best for your building.
Reliable Commercial AC Unit
A reliable HVAC system is essential for your business to avoid extensive repair costs in the long run. Further, it also ensures perfect temperature requirements for your inventory. (Proper maintenance is also vital for the long life of the system!)
Cost-Effective
Cost is another vital factor while choosing a commercial air unit, but it shouldn’t be the only factor. While it can be tempting to go for the cheapest option, it’s not usually the best option. Don’t fall prey to a cheap AC unit because you may end up paying higher energy bills or dealing with frequent air conditioning issues.
Air Quality
The air quality of an HVAC system is also criticall. Air with pollutants and allergens can cause illness and also reduce employees’ productivity.
Efficiency
An efficient AC unit not only saves energy but also fulfills desired temperature needs. It never feels good to work in a space that’s too hot or cold!
Size of the Building
The size of the building is also important while choosing a commercial AC unit. A central air conditioner may not be the best choice for an ample building space. Be sure to seek professional advice for selecting an HVAC system for your business.
Consider Space & Purpose for Commercial AC Units
Different types of commercial ac units are designed to serve particular areas and have unique purposes.
Next, let’s discuss common types of AC units and highlight their key features.
- Central Air Conditioner
- Ductless Mini-Split
- Window Air Conditioner
- Portable Air Conditioner
- Floor Mounted Air Conditioner
- Smart Air Conditioner
- Geothermal Air Conditioning System
- Hybrid/Dual Fuel Air Conditioner
Central Commercial AC
Commercial central AC is ideal for large buildings but not too large that it’s difficult to maintain cooling quality. Central air conditioners are capable of cooling and heating multiple rooms at the same time. They are also called ducted systems as they regulate the air through ducts installed in the building.
A central air conditioner consists of two units—an outdoor unit comprising a compressor and a condenser. And an indoor unit consisting of an air handler and evaporator coils. The refrigerant helps remove the warm air from the building and circulate the cool air inside through ducts.
Ductless Mini-Split AC
A ductless mini-split AC is the best choice if:
- You don’t have ductwork in your building
- Only specific areas of the building require heating and cooling
- You need more efficient and customized cooling in different areas
Ductless mini-split air conditioners also have two units. The outdoor unit consists of a compressor and a condenser, whereas the indoor units are simple air blowers mounted on the wall.
The ductless air conditioners are more efficient as there is a separate unit to heat or cool a specific area. You can only run the units in occupied areas making it energy efficient.
Window Air Conditioner
Window air conditioners are ideal for cooling small areas or a room. They come in different sizes. And as the name suggests, you can install them in a window or a hole in the wall.
They are a widely used type of air conditioner. A window air conditioner has all the components enclosed in a single body. The hot air ejects from the outdoor side while the cool air circulates inside with the help of a blower.
Portable Air Conditioner
A portable air conditioner, much like a split system, is used to cool a single room. Typically, they have wheels making it easy to move them from room to room.
These air conditioners are self-contained, i.e., all the components are inside a single unit. You just need to power the unit and adjust its funnel through a window to remove the unit’s exhausting air.
Commercial cool portable air conditioners are either single-hose or double hose. A single-hose unit takes air from the room and exhausts it outside, whereas a double-hose unit takes air from the outdoor, cools the compressor, and then exhausts it outside through the second hose.
Floor Mounted Air Conditioner
Floor mounted air conditioners rest on the floor or placed a few inches above the ground. They are an alternative solution for split air conditioners. They consist of an indoor and outdoor unit. The indoor unit is connected to the outdoor unit through a pipe.
You can quickly check and clean the air filters of a floor-mounted air conditioner to improve the air quality. Moreover, they cool the area faster than any other split unit. These air conditioners require free space around them for the proper functioning of the system.
Smart Commercial Air Conditioner
An air conditioner that’s IoT compatible can be termed a smart air conditioner. It could be either a split air conditioner or a window air conditioner. You simply have to connect the device to your office WiFi and then control your smart AC from anywhere in the world using your mobile phone app.
A smart AC has several features to offer like scheduling, energy-saving, geo-fencing, motion detection, temperature control, and much more. Smart air conditioners are a bit expensive as compared to regular air conditioners. (You might also convert your conventional air unit into a smart air unit by installing a smart thermostat in your office building!)
Geothermal Air Conditioning System
Geothermal air conditioners are becoming increasingly popular because they use renewable energy. These air conditioners work by circulating cold and hot water in underground pipes.
The refrigerant in the water helps in achieving hot and cold temperatures. During summer, the refrigerant’s heat is absorbed by the refrigerant, dumping it in the ground and cooling down the area.
Geothermal AC units are very efficient and energy-saving. But, keep in mind, the setup cost of these units is relatively higher.
Hybrid/Dual Fuel Air Conditioner
A hybrid/dual fuel air conditioner runs with two different energy sources depending on the weather conditions. The system has a gas furnace accompanied by an electric heat pump—the system switches between the two energy sources depending on the temperature requirements.
In summer, the hot air from indoors is exhausted outdoors through the heat pump. On the other hand, in winter or when the temperature is below freezing, the system switches from heat pump to electric furnace to meet the temperature requirements.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Next, let’s consider the pros and cons of each of these commercial air conditioner units.
Central Air Conditioner
Advantages:
- All the office rooms are cooled simultaneously, ensuring a regulated environment throughout the commercial building.
- The central AC unit controls humidity levels in the whole building.
Disadvantages:
- The system’s functionality depends on the ductwork. If there’s damage to the ductwork, the efficiency decreases drastically. Additionally, the repair cost is higher for such systems.
- Central air conditioner consumes a lot of energy resulting in higher energy bills.
Ductless Mini-Split AC
Advantages:
- You can control the temperature of each room as required.
- The installation process is easy and does not require any ductwork.
Disadvantages:
- The cooling capacity of the mini-split ac is limited. It is not suitable for large commercial buildings.
- The system requires regular maintenance.
Window Air Conditioner
Advantages:
- Window air conditioners are relatively easy to install and operate.
- These units are cheaper as compared to other air conditioners.
- They require less maintenance.
Disadvantages:
- They produce noise while operating.
- You need to make a suitable hole or window in the wall to adjust them.
Portable Commercial Cool Air Conditioner
Advantages:
- They are easy to set up.
- You can move them around the building where needed.
- They do not require proper installation.
- You can easily store them when not in use.
Disadvantages:
- They are not suitable for cooling large spaces.
- They also produce noise while running.
- You need a window in the room to adjust the hose of the air conditioner.
Floor Mounted Air Conditioner
Advantages:
- The installation is relatively easy and straightforward.
- They are best suited for small areas.
Disadvantages:
- These units are not recommended for larger office rooms due to the uneven distribution of air.
- Moreover, floor-mounted units are not ideal for commercial buildings.
Smart Air Conditioner
Advantages:
- These units are cost-efficient.
- They are easy to manage and create schedules according to the requirements.
Disadvantages:
- They are relatively expensive.
- WiFi connectivity is a must for utilizing the smart features.
Geothermal Commercial Air Conditioning System
Advantages:
- It’s a long-lasting AC unit.
- Greater energy-efficiency.
Disadvantages:
- The setup cost is very high.
- If the system is damaged, it can be tricky to repair underground loops.
Hybrid/Dual Fuel Air Conditioner
Advantages:
- Excellent heating and cooling capability
- It reduces energy consumption costs
Disadvantages:
- The setup cost is higher.
- The efficiency decreases with time and requires occasional maintenance.
Ready to explore your commercial ac options?
There you have it: we’ve discussed various commercial air conditioner units and their advantages and disadvantages to help you choose the best commercial ac unit for your building or office.
Do you have more questions or are you ready to move forward with the installation process? Contact A/C Care for all of your HVAC needs on the Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches!