If you’re wondering how big of a difference there is between commercial and residential air conditioning, make sure to keep reading our guide to commercial air conditioning!
Commercial sites vary greatly in size and therefore have very different AC needs. There’s small to multi-storey offices, cafes, shops, hospitals and supermarkets – these are all different types of commercial buildings that come in different sizes (ranging from a few hundred to several thousand square metres), structures and layouts (open-plan to closed offices).
Due to this great variance, it’s important to talk to a professional before fitting a commercial site with an air con system. Choosing the right system and planning unit placement are essential for efficient and effective air conditioning. These days, good air conditioning is essential in commercial buildings for risk of losing customers, clientele, and disrupting staff. Good quality commercial air-cons support business operations and keep everyone cool and comfortable. So, let’s look at what kinds of systems work well in our guide to commercial air conditioning.
Do you know what the ideal temperature is for your office space? We run through the ideal temperature to set your air conditioner on to accommodate a range of different tasks and pastimes – read all about it in our recent article here!
Commercial vs Residential Air Con Systems
What’s the difference between commercial and residential units? While both heat and cool spaces, commercial and residential air conditioning systems differ in size, location, and complexity.
Size
Commercial AC units are larger and more powerful to serve large areas and accommodate crowds of people. In houses, air-cons with cooling capacity (relating to an output power of unit) of 2–25kW is common. In large, complex commercial spaces, air conditioners with higher kW (e.g., 10–100+kW) are typical, with packaged units built to capacities up to 200kW.
Complexity
Single-family dwelling possesses fairly static requirements. Large commercial spaces, however, are more complex due to segmented office spaces or departments that may require different heating/cooling needs. This means endless possibilities of building configuration, which can change with new owners/tenants.
Commercial AC systems require extensive planning and more maintenance due to the complexity of commercial space needs. Homeowners can do basic maintenance, like changing air filters, on residential air-cons. However, commercial systems are more intricate, requiring repairs and maintenance by specialised commercial air-con technicians. Due to a commercial system’s additional size, complexity, and specialisation needs, repairs tend to be more expensive than residential systems.
Placement
Residential air cons are typically placed on the ground in locations outside of the occupants’ way, yet still accessible for service (e.g., in the backyard or against the side of the house). Conversely, commercial air cons are typically placed on the roof of a building. This is due to the unit’s size, increased noise, and easy technician access while remaining inaccessible to the public.
Commercial systems are also often customised to space and installed in a way where components are predominantly located outside the building (with the exception of ducts and zone dampers), aiding maintenance and repairs with minimal service interruptions. As servicing these units is more complex, access for technicians is key in commercial units.
Your Guide to Commercial Air-Con Systems
In theory, you could use every air-con brand in a residential or commercial setting; however, many brands specialise in manufacturing commercial systems or produce commercial-specific ranges. The type of commercial aircon system depends on many factors, including the building’s size, location, use and number of levels as well as budget considerations, energy efficiency and the number of people in the building.
Depending on the building’s size, you may need a high-performance air conditioner with high output to efficiently cool or heat a large, open-plan space. Read about how size is a major influencing factor in which type of air-conditioning system you choose here
Single Split System
A single split system is the most popular choice for small commercial spaces like offices, server rooms, cafes, and clothing stores. This is also a popular option for many residential buildings. A good split system will effectively and affordably heat or cool a designated space but won’t suffice for large open areas like shopping centres or halls.
A split system consists of an indoor and outdoor unit. These are easy to install with no ductwork required, making them more affordable and quieter. The indoor component mounts to a wall and is ideal for cooling a single room or specific area.
This system heats and cools, is compact, offers various styles and sizes, and provides many brand options for commercial needs.
Air-rite Solutions offers top air conditioning brands, including Fujitsu, Mitsubishi, and Haier, with single split systems ideal for small to medium-sized spaces.
Ducted Multi Split System
A ducted system, operating through ventilation, is ideal for cooling and heating larger commercial spaces with multiple rooms, like doctor surgeries and restaurants. This system is usually more expensive than single split systems due to the complexity of ductwork installation.
The main benefit of a central unit is space-saving, as it’s installed outside without a visible wall unit. This setup can be more aesthetically pleasing compared to the several single split systems that would be needed otherwise. Read more about the benefits of ducted air conditioning here and learn how it compares to a split system.
Rooftop Packaged System
Larger commercial and industrial buildings often use self-contained HVAC systems. Often mounted on a building’s roof, this system is ideal for buildings lacking floor or wall space. As a large-scale system, these systems are designed to heat and cool multiple rooms and extremely large areas.
Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF)
This system also suits larger commercial and industrial buildings (e.g., factories, hotels, multi-level offices, aged-care facilities). It allows individual zone control per room and floor, offering the versatility to have different temperatures in each area.
Air-rite Solutions provides a wide range of air conditioning systems from trusted brands like Temperzone, Fujitsu, and Mitsubishi, including split and ducted systems.
Repairing and Maintaining Commercial AC Systems
It’s incredibly important to maintain proper maintenance of a commercial air conditioning unit as the whole building and its occupants will rely heavily on its efficient use and an outage could cause major interruptions and temporarily suspend operations. Commercial air-con technicians familiar with all types of systems should typically handle all repairs and maintenance. Due to a commercial system’s additional size, complexity, and specialisation needs, repairs are often more expensive than residential systems. However, it pays off in the long run to have a reliable system, so ensure you maintain your air-con. Neglecting HVAC maintenance shortens system lifespan, raises operating costs, and jeopardises business operations.
It’s also important to make sure you are following a HVAC maintenance plan so that your system is always running at peak efficiency.
Air conditioners are now commonplace in residential, commercial and industrial settings. After all, it’s getting impossible to escape the heat without a fully functioning air conditioning system. Differences exist between residential and commercial air cons due to the typical characteristics of commercial buildings. A residential system may not match the effectiveness of a commercial one, reducing productivity to save costs. Ensure you’re getting the right system for your building by talking to an Air-rite Solutions professional. For more information on the best air conditioning to buy for your business or office, have a read through our guide to commercial air conditioning solutions for your business here.
Contact Air-rite Solutions
When you need professional assistance, Air-rite Solutions’ qualified team of commercial HVAC contractors are here to help. If you would like more information, would like to schedule a professional cleaning or maintenance service please contact us.
