Ducted air conditioning is the premium option if you are considering a new air conditioning installation from Classroom365 for your school, business or home. Yes, it is the most expensive option too, but it has many advantages over wall-mounted or water-cooled air conditioning units:
- Discreet: Concealed ceiling or floor vents allow cool or warm air to be piped into the rooms via ducting.
- Quiet: The central AC unit is mounted outside and not in the room, so there are no noisy fans!
- Easy Maintenance: With a central unit and ducts connecting it to rooms, they are easy to maintain with just the filter to check regularly.
For more information and prices on a ducted air con installation, please complete the contact form below.
What Is Ceiling Ducted Air Conditioning?
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Ducted air conditioning (AC) is a system that provides heating or cooling through “ducts” spread throughout your premises. It is also called a central AC system. Most commonly, ducted AC units are installed in ceilings, but underfloor AC is also possible, although it is much more expensive and generally only a realistic option for new building projects. For a single room, a ceiling cassette air conditioner installation can be considered as a cheaper alternative.
This type of AC comprises a capacitor, compressor, and an air handling unit. Compared to a regular HVAC (Heat, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), it can provide hot or cool air throughout a building using only one system.
How Does a Ducted Air Conditioner Unit Work?
A ducted AC system has an outdoor unit housing the compressor, cooling coils, and electric motor. Connected to the outdoor unit is an indoor unit housing a blower and evaporator coil. Both units are connected through duct channels connecting every room in the building. This design allows the system to move conditioned air from one area of the building to another.
During its cooling mode, the air blower will suck hot air from inside your home. This warm air will pass through the cooling coils before the system pushes it back inside the building. The outdoor unit detects the air’s temperature through a temperature sensor. This feature allows the AC unit to condition the air automatically.
The whole system has a control panel that you can operate manually through a remote, a wall-mounted panel, or a convenient smartphone app.
Modern ceiling-concealed air con enables zoning, whereby the airflow of cool or warm air is controlled in individual areas. This is managed with an app or wall touchpad. It’s actually pretty simple, with the controls moving blades within the ducting. It’s useful for homes, not so much for offices or modern schools, which require a consistent temperature and environment.
Type of Ducted Air Conditioning System
Two types of ducted AC systems are available: mini-split and central systems. Here’s how they work and how they differ from each other:
Mini-Split Ducted AC System
Mini-split systems are the most common ducted air conditioning units in commercial buildings and schools. They are designed for smaller spaces like offices and are a cheaper alternative to a fully ducted AC system. The ductwork in buildings other than homes must comply with the statutory building regulations for ventilation.
A mini-split AC has a condenser and compressor installed outside in a single metal housing. Another evaporator will be installed inside the building, often including a heat pump.
Central Ducted AC System
Central ducted air conditioners are larger systems than mini-splits. Its housing contains all the necessary components without a separate indoor evaporator. A central ducted AC system suits commercial buildings or homes that lack space to accommodate an indoor unit. It can be installed on the roof out of sight, with the AC ductwork running throughout the building. If you’re considering installing AC for your offices or as part of the school rebuilding programme, the project must be planned at an early stage. The ICT infrastructure cabling, electrical wiring and ducting can all be completed in ceiling space together.
Benefits of Ceiling Ducted Air Conditioning
There are plenty of benefits to a ducted AC system. Here are some you can expect:
AC ducting is relatively cheap if planned in advance
Many commercial premises are designed with false ceilings that can easily hide the ductwork required for a central air conditioning system. The actual components are relatively cheap apart from the ducted AC unit itself. Installing in an older building, like a Victorian-era school, is an entirely different matter, though! For listed buildings with strict planning regulations, a water cooled AC unit could be considered.
Concealed and discreet
If your building aesthetics are a priority, ducted AC is probably the answer you’re looking for. If the ductwork is hidden, then all that will be visible are the ventilation grills.
Quiet air conditioning operations
Most of us prefer to work in peace and that constant buzzing in the background as your AC conditions the air can be incredibly distracting. Ducted AC systems operate quietly compared to wall mounted air conditioner units. Many have soundproof insulation or have the central unit far from the workspace, virtually eliminating noise.
Clean air filtering
Ducted air conditioning can be fitted with clean air filters. The Samsung ducted AC range has an optional “Virus Doctor” that filters bacteria, fungi and viruses, meaning the air is about as pure as it can be. The filters are easy to clean and the whole system reliable with low maintenance overheads.
For further information about prices, installations and servicing quotes, please get in touch.
Mark Friend, BSc (Hons), is a Company Director at Classroom365 and has worked in technology for nearly 30 years. His IT career started with Rothschild Bank in Sydney, Australia, before working as a Global VPN Project Manager for the British Council. Mark has 20 years of experience in the UK education sector, helping schools integrate the latest tech into their curriculum and ICT vision.