Air Conditioning Systems

The Complete Guide to Split, Multi-Split, and VRF Systems for Optimal Temperature Regulation and Energy Efficiency.

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Air Conditioning Systems Overview

We offer a wide range of air conditioning solutions suitable for residential and commercial environments. We install throughout Sussex. Whether you’re looking to cool a single room or manage temperature & control across multiple areas, we have systems to match your needs. All are designed for comfort, efficiency, and reliability.

Air conditioning and HVAC systems can be categorised by their function:

Comfort Cooling & Heating: Cooling and Heating provided by refrigeration Circuit. (the focus of this guide)
Air Conditioning & HVAC Systems: Cooling, Heating, Filtration, Heat Recovery & Air Distribution.
Close Control Systems: Expanding on HVAC systems, they maintain a precise environment with the inclusion of humidifiers and dehumidifiers.

Crucially, air conditioning systems contain and circulate refrigerant. Therefore the installation, commissioning, and subsequent maintenance of the system must be carried out by an F-Gas certified installer to ensure regulatory compliance and safety.

Office Cooling

Air Conditioning to Office

Office VRF / VRV Sysetm

Air Conditioning to Offices

Gym Cooling

Air Conditioning to Gym

Mini VRF / VRV

Mini VRF / VRV Outdoor Units Serving Offices

Comfort Cooling and Heating: The Thermodynamic Principle

Commonly and crudely referred to as “Air Conditioning” or simply “AC”, Comfort Cooling and Heating refer to the process of changing the indoor air temperature to suit the users comfort level.

It is important to note the difference between ‘comfort cooling/heating’ and ‘true air conditioning.’ Cooling and heating focus on temperature alone. True air conditioning, however, simultaneously controls the temperature, humidity, air movement, and purity (filtration).

The Mechanism

Modern AC units operate on thermodynamic principles whereby a refrigerant gas is compressed. The compressed gas is then cooled by a condensing coil within the outdoor unit, which removes heat. This turns the compressed gas into a liquid.

The liquid refrigerant is then pumped to an indoor evaporator unit / coil where it is able to expand. The rate of the expansion is controlled by an expansion valve, and with modern units the flow rate of the gas is controlled by inverter driven compressors. Consequently, this expansion process returns the liquid gas to a vaporous gas. This creates a cooling effect inside the building.

The entire process can then be reversed by using a reversing / four way valve. This enables the indoor unit coil to become the condensing coil, and the outdoor unit to become the evaporator. The system can then provide heating or cooling depending on the selected mode.

Core Efficiency and Performance Metrics

A key measure of air conditioning efficiency is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). This rating calculates the total cooling output during a typical cooling season. This figure is divided by the total electric energy input used during the same period.

A higher SEER rating indicates greater energy efficiency. This translates directly to lower running costs and a reduced environmental footprint.
The Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) is another metric, measuring efficiency under a single, specific operating condition. Both metrics are essential for evaluating the long-term value and operational cost of an AC system.

Likewise, the COP (Co-efficient Performance) and SCOP (Seasonal Co-efficient Performance) are used to calculate energy efficiency during heating use.

Split System Air Conditioning

Split Air Conditioning (AC) systems are the most common and versatile solution for targeted, energy-efficient comfort cooling and heating. They operate with two primary components: a single indoor evaporator unit and a dedicated external condensing unit. They are connected by small-diameter refrigeration pipework and communication cabling.

Single and Twin Split Configuration

Split systems are designed to provide precise, energy-efficient temperature control to a single, defined space.

Single Split: A one-to-one installation where one outdoor unit connects to one indoor unit, providing optimal localised temperature control to a specific room.
Twin Split: This configuration features two indoor units connected to a single outdoor condensing unit. The two indoor units operate in unison under a single controller. These are typically used to condition larger or unusually shaped spaces, ensuring even air distribution and consistent temperature throughout the entire zone.

Core Advantages and Installation

The primary advantage of a split system is a low installation cost, and simplified installation:

Low Cost & Simplicity: Simple, single point user control. These factors make them highly efficient for heating or cooling a single space.
Growing Domestic Demand: Increasingly, with the effects of climate change, and generally warmer summer temperatures, we are seeing rising domestic client demand for these efficient solutions across Eastbourne, Brighton, and our wider service areas.

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Multi-Split System

Multi-split Air Conditioning (AC) systems offer a flexible and space-saving solution for temperature control across multiple rooms or zones. Like split systems, they consist of indoor evaporator units and a single external condensing unit, but with the added capability of supporting multiple indoor units—each connected via individual refrigeration pipework and communication cabling.

Multi-Zone Configuration

Multi-split systems are designed to deliver tailored comfort to several distinct areas, making them ideal for residential homes, small offices, and mid-sized commercial spaces in Sussex.

A single outdoor unit can support numerous indoor units, each with an independent controller. This allows occupants in different rooms to set their preferred temperature without affecting other rooms (although each unit is limited in mode and must adhere to simultaneous heating or cooling).
Ideal Application: Like split systems, multi-split systems are usually limited in refrigeration pipe work length, as well as indoor and outdoor unit capacity. However, this is what makes them ideal for serving smaller offices and houses where multiple areas require simultaneous heating or cooling, with individual user control.

Core Advantages

Multi-split systems combine the efficiency of split systems with the versatility of independent temperature control each indoor unit:

Space Efficiency: Only one outdoor unit is required, reducing external clutter and preserving building aesthetics.
Individual Control: Each indoor unit can be operated independently, offering personalised comfort and energy savings.
Reduced Installation Footprint: Compared to installing multiple single splits, multi-split systems require fewer outdoor units & less external power supplies which contributes to a lower installation cost per room.

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VRF / VRV (Variable Refrigerant Flow / Volume) Systems

2 Pipe VRF / VRV

2 pipe VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) or VRV (Variable Refrigerant Volume) air conditioning systems are designed for applications requiring temperature control across many multiple rooms or zones. These systems allow multiple air conditioning units to be connected to a single or linked outdoor condensing units, making them ideal for larger residential, and commercial buildings, such as office blocks, department stores & hotels.

Scalable Multi-Zone Configuration

Linked / Modular Outdoor Units: For larger applications, multiple outdoor units can be piped, and/or networked together to increase total capacity and coverage, offering a fully scalable and upgradeable solution.
Branched Pipework Design: A single pair of refrigerant pipes runs from the outdoor unit into the building and continues through the building, branching off to each indoor unit. This setup streamlines and simplifies installation, reducing installation costs while supporting efficient temperature regulation across diverse zones.

Core Advantages and Installation

2 pipe VRF/VRV systems offer a balance of simplicity and performance:

Simultaneous Cooling or Heating: All indoor units operate in the same mode (either cooling or heating), making them ideal for buildings with uniform temperature control needs.
Energy Efficiency: Advanced inverter technology adjusts refrigerant flow based on demand, dramatically reducing energy consumption compared to traditional systems.
Flexible Control Options: Systems can be managed via individual room controllers, centralised master stations, or integrated with Building Management Systems (BMS) for enhanced automation.

These systems are particularly well-suited for applications where seasonal or daily temperature control mode is consistent across zones.

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3 Pipe VRF / VRV System (Heat Recovery)

3 pipe VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) or VRV (Variable Refrigerant Volume) air conditioning systems expand on the 2 pipe design by introducing a third refrigerant pipe. This additional pipe, combined with a specialised control and distribution boxes, enables heat recovery & non-simultaneous heating and cooling to be provided in different rooms or zones.

Advanced Heat Recovery Configuration

This makes 3 pipe systems ideal for multi-use buildings where individual areas require independent heat or cool mode adjustment at the same time.

Three-Pipe Design: Enables the transfer of excess heat from cooling zones (e.g high occupancy sales area) to areas requiring heating (e.g single person office), significantly improving energy efficiency.
Non-Simultaneous Mode Operation: Individual indoor units can operate in heating or cooling mode independently, offering unmatched flexibility across the building footprint.
Heat Recovery Box: Acts as a distribution hub, intelligently managing refrigerant flow between zones to optimise performance and comfort. It achieves this by reducing the need for the refrigerant gas to return to the outdoor unit, effectively managing energy already within the building.

Core Advantages and Installation

3 pipe VRF/VRV systems are designed for dynamic environments:

Ideal for Mixed-Use Spaces: Perfect for hotels, hospitals, office buildings, and educational facilities where different rooms have different thermal needs.
Maximised Energy Savings: Reuses, and manages energy already within the system or building, achieving the highest level of overall system efficiency.
Comprehensive Control Integration: Supports localised room controllers, centralised management stations, and full BMS integration for seamless operation and monitoring.

These systems deliver the highest level of comfort, control, and energy efficiency for buildings with diverse occupancy and usage patterns.

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Interested in finding out more?

We are able to design Air Conditioning and Ventilation installations for you. Why not visit our Design, or Contact Us pages to find out more.