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Home / Air conditioning / Types of Air Conditioning Explained
Types of Air Conditioning Explained
Wall-mounted, multi-split, ducted and ceiling cassette, compared in plain English, with what each one genuinely suits.
Wall-mounted split systems
One slim indoor unit high on a wall, connected by refrigerant pipework to one outdoor unit. The most common choice for homes, and for good reason: it is the simplest to fit, the least expensive, and it does the job in the great majority of rooms.
Best for: a single bedroom, living room, home office or loft conversion.
The trade-off: the indoor unit is visible, and it only serves the room it is in.
Multi-split systems
Several indoor units, each with its own controls and temperature, all running from a single outdoor unit. Two to five indoor units is typical.
Best for: three bedrooms, or a bedroom, office and living room, where you want each room controlled separately.
The trade-off: more pipework to run and conceal. But one outdoor unit instead of four keeps the outside of the house tidy and is usually cheaper than several separate systems.
Ceiling cassettes
Fitted flush into a ceiling, blowing in four directions, with only a square grille visible from below. Needs a void above the ceiling to sit in.
Best for: offices, shops, salons, and homes where a wall unit would look wrong.
The trade-off: more involved to install, and it needs the ceiling void to exist.
Ducted systems
The indoor unit is hidden entirely, usually in a loft or a ceiling void, with air delivered through ducts to slim grilles in each room. From inside the room you see only the grille.
Best for: new builds, major renovations and high-end finishes where nothing should be visible.
The trade-off: the most expensive and the most disruptive to retrofit. Straightforward during a renovation, difficult afterwards.
A word on portable units
The ones with a hose out of a window. They are noisy, inefficient, and they work against themselves — the hose lets warm air back in around it, and the unit sits in the room adding its own heat. They have their place for occasional use in a rented flat. As a solution to a hot bedroom every summer, a fixed system costs less to run and works considerably better.
Which is right for you
For most homes it is a wall-mounted split for one room, or a multi-split for three or more. Ceiling cassettes and ducted systems come in when appearance matters more than cost, or when a renovation makes them straightforward. We will tell you which applies at the survey rather than steering you to the biggest job.
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Waste piping replacement
★★★★★
CGR were rectifying the waste piping for under our kitchen sink, and also removing the waste for our previous water softener. Very happy with their knowledge, quality of work, customer service and wouldn't hesitate to recommend their services. Also a huge bonus to have a 30 day guarantee on the works provided.
Toilet fixing
★★★★★
He is a polite and knowledgeable tradesman. He communicates clearly and executes the job as planned and agreed.
Replaced a hot water expansion vessel
★★★★★
I have a great experience dealing with CGR. From the start he was very professional and efficient. Even when he ran into a complication with the combination valves, he resolved the issue without complaint and to an excellent standard. Thank you CGR.
Fixing shower pressure
★★★★★
My shower pressure suddenly fell very low. I called CGR and they came to fix the problem. Not even a day later and my shower was fixed. Thank you for your quick and very professional service.
Fixed the bathroom basin tap
★★★★★
We always call them as they are reliable and honest.
Replaced pump and 3 way valve
★★★★★
Great team. Quick job. Impossible to complain and happy to recommend.
Boiler service
★★★★★
CGR Heating serviced my gas boiler and magna clean system. They were punctual and completed the work to a high standard. I would recommend them.
Boiler service
★★★★★
Very reliable and punctual. He's very tidy and gets on with his work quietly.
Emergency water leak in kitchen
★★★★★
We had an emergency water leak. CGR was able to attend very quickly and help to isolate and stop the leak. It was near the stopcock and underneath some kitchen drawers so it required some cutting of wood to access and took a few hours, but he worked hard to fix it and then cleaned up thoroughly afterwards.
Boiler and radiator fault repair
★★★★★
I had a boiler fault that was actually caused by an airlock in my central heating. Chaudray identified the potential issue quickly and clearly communicated the steps required to fix it. He carried out the work then and there, and the problem was solved. He was very courteous and tidy, too.
Gas safety certificate
★★★★★
CGR carried out gas safety review and boiler service at one of our rental properties. Arrived on time and explained all the checks they did. Thank you.
Replaced electric shower
★★★★★
CGR were very quick to respond and replaced the electric shower in one of our rented properties.
Cap gas pipe
★★★★★
Perfect, thanks.
Water main repair and gas pipe cap
★★★★★
Great communication before, and turned up early and friendly. Perfect job completed in time. Thanks.
Removing radiators
★★★★★
Quality of work, clarity and tidiness was excellent. Chaudray was clear about all the steps of work, fixed some historical issues as part of solving the job to the best standard, but checked, explained and gave options as he went.
Excellent service
★★★★★
Chaudhry messaged me promptly and was able to come the next day. He was really friendly and carried out the work quickly and to a high standard.
Boiler fixed
★★★★★
Very professional and competent.
Questions
What is the difference between split and multi-split?
A split system is one indoor unit and one outdoor unit. A multi-split runs several indoor units from a single outdoor unit, each controlled separately.
Are ducted systems worth it?
If you are renovating and want nothing visible, yes. Retrofitting one into a finished house is expensive and disruptive, and a multi-split usually makes more sense.
Do portable units work?
Poorly. They are noisy and inefficient, and the hose lets warm air back in. Fine occasionally; a poor answer to a hot bedroom every summer.
Can I mix types?
Yes. A ceiling cassette in a living room and wall units in the bedrooms can run from the same outdoor unit.
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