Commercial Air-Conditioning

Commercial Air Conditioning is an infinitely large topic, as there are simply so many options to be considered when designing a system.

Generally for business owners, Air Conditioning will be the biggest single running cost associated with their premises, so it’s absolutely vital that it be done properly the first time.

We recommend that any commercial application be designed by qualified engineers who have years of experience in knowing how to choose the best system for the desired application.

If you require more information about what sort of system would best suit you, we recommend going to “D&C Mechanical Electrical”

There are 4 main types of air conditioners that are optimal for commercial use

Nauticool specializes in the installation and maintenance of all 4 types of systems.
We have outlined and explained how each one works as well as the advantages and disadvantages to help you decide which option is best for you.

Chilled Water Systems

Chilled water systems pipe cool water throughout the building to lower the temperature of each room. This system is usually used in very large commercial buildings such as factories or industrial plants. Other types of cooling systems like window or split systems simply aren’t feasible for large commercial spaces. In order to get the same effect you’ll have to install multiple units in the same room.
Chilled water systems are more efficient at removing heat and cooling large spaces. These systems use water as a secondary refrigerant. The water is chilled by the refrigerant first which in turn cools the air in the room as it circulates. This is different from direct expansion where the air is cooled directly by the refrigerant.
Chilled water systems are very easy to use and versatile. They don’t carry any oil so there are no oil return problems after using them for a while. The power from these systems is enough to cover multiple floors of large buildings.
The only disadvantages of child water systems are the high initial installation costs as well as the installation being more complicated than other types. These types of systems can also be very noisy.

VRV/VRF systems

VRV stands for Variable Refrigerant Volume and VRF stands for Variable Refrigerant Flow. While they both mean the same thing technically, Daikin has copyrighted the term VRV & all other companies must use the term VRF.

These systems are very versatile and best used in large buildings such as schools, hotels and large offices. This type of system controls the amount of refrigerant that flows to the indoor units, which are called evaporators. This allows the evaporators to have different capacities & configurations which means each room can be customized for optimal comfort. This means you can have one room being cooled while another room is being heated.
VRV/VRF systems continuously adjust the flow of refrigerant, which makes the system more energy efficient. This systems boast 30% energy savings compared to traditional air conditioning units.
VRV/VRF systems have excellent dehumidification technology for optimal room humidity regardless of the climate outside. These systems are also capable of simultaneously heating and cooling multiple rooms. These systems are also lightweight and the ducted is comparable to standard ducted systems, which reduces costs.
One of the disadvantages of these systems is they don’t have their own ventilation so additional ventilation needs to be installed. Also once installed these units are not very flexible. The main disadvantage is the difficulty of repairing coolant leaks but this usually only occurs from a poor quality installation.

Large Split Ducted systems

Split ducted systems provide cooling through a series of ductwork concealed within the building. This type of system is usually preferred for commercial properties as one unit can cool multiple areas of a building. Split ducted systems are among the quietest and versatile options for cooling large spaces.
Split ducted systems get their name because it’s made from two components that are split apart. The internal part of the unit includes the fan & the heating/cooling coil, which is attached to a network of ducts and placed on the roof. The external part of the unit holds the compressor and is usually placed on the ground, wall or even roof. These systems can also double as heating or cooling units depending on your climate.
One big advantages of this type of system is the zoning capabilities that the unit has. One unit can cool multiple rooms and the zoning function lets you choose which areas needs to be focused on. Split ducted systems are also able to mix in fresh air form outside to keep the quality of air as high as possible. These systems are extremely quiet for the space that they’re able to cool and are easily controlled from a wall-mounted thermostat.
These large split systems are generally less flexible than other types of air conditioners. If you don’t take advantage of the zoning features the units can be expensive to run. The initial install cost is also high.

Packaged Units

Package unit air conditioners are optimal for spaces too small for central air conditioning and too large for window or split air conditioners. Packaged units are generally used in large office spaces, restaurants, small venues and other commercial places.
Packaged units have the compressor, condensers, expansion valve and evaporator housed in a single casing. The compressor and condenser are housed in a cabinet and each individual unit placed in a room consists of the expansion valve and cooling coil. Packaged units use either air-cooled condensers or water-cooled condensers.
Package units are very space efficient since all the components contained in one location. The initial investment is low and maintenance costs are low due to energy efficient heating and cooling performance. Packaged units also operate quietly and have little to no impact on the aesthetic of the environment they’re used in. Especially if the unit is placed on the roof. The only disadvantage is that packaged units don’t provide the same level of efficiency as split systems, which may have a negative effect on air quality.

Tel: 07 4948 3500

Tel: 07 4948 3500