Get confused easily when it comes to choosing the air conditioner that’s best suited for your home, particularly split-system air conditioners? You’re not alone, and you shouldn’t worry. In this article, we’ll walk you through the different split-system air conditioners, and how you can make a wise decision to choose the best one for yourself. What’s a Split-system Air Conditioner? Remember early on when we explained all about this common type of air conditioner? A split-system air conditioner is unlike the single-split system in the sense that it’s separated into two parts, one that’s called the evaporator, or indoor unit, that’s in charge of cooling your room, and the other which is the condenser or outdoor unit that’s responsible for getting rid of the heat outside. The indoor unit is installed inside your house to bring in cool air. Since evaporator coils are located within the indoor unit, it’s called an evaporator as well. On the other hand, the compressor, compressor coils, electrical components and condenser fan are located in the outdoor unit. The indoor unit collects the warm air from your room before cooling it down and sending it back to your room. By doing so, it heats up the refrigerant, which is in turn sent to the outdoor unit to be cooled down. The excess heat is released into the air outside. 3 Main Types of Split-system Air Conditioners Mini-split Air Conditioner System The mini-split air conditioner system is possibly the most common type of multi-split air conditioner you’ll find. Let’s talk about Daikin’s, for example - they’re the Daikin System 2 aircon, Daikin System 3 aircon, Daikin System 4 aircon and Daikin System 5 aircon that are common and popular. The indoor unit is typically installed high on the wall using brackets which is particularly beneficial for our space-constrained HDB and BTO flats. Designed to be contemporary and sleek, the pipes are connected between the indoor and outdoor unit through a concealed hole in the wall. Central Split-system Air Conditioner A central split-system unit is a complicated type of air-conditioning system. This system involves placing the main cooling unit in one location. This unit usually consists of the evaporator and air handler. From that location, the air handler unit supplies air through a series of pipes and ducts into other parts of the house. You can use thermostats to control the amount of air that enters each area. It is also considered a ducted air conditioner, and is ideal for large rooms that need powerful cooling. It requires plenty of structural considerations for its placement so it’s best to consult your designer and technician. Floor-standing Split Unit This kind of air conditioner includes tall standing units that are bigger than mini-split systems. Imagine how a refrigerator looks - that’s how they look. You can place them anywhere you wish, and there’s no need to mount brackets. Simply link up the indoor and outdoor units, plug in the power cord and switch it on. It’s suitable for use in corridors, conference rooms, lobbies and other areas with high footfall because of its amazing cooling capacity. How to Choose Your Ideal Split System Unit Budget A central air-conditioning system is relatively pricier because of the ductwork involved and added contractor costs. Servicing is also more affordable. Therefore, if you’re on a tight budget, it’s advisable to opt for a mini-split air-conditioning system instead. Efficiency Generally speaking, mini-split air conditioners, or ductless air conditioners, are more efficient than ducted air conditioners. Plus, if you’re looking to ramp up the efficiency level, you should focus on 5 ticks models. Type of Home What type of home do you plan to install your multi-split system in? If it’s a landed property and you’re building it from scratch, it may be a great choice to choose a central air-conditioning system. This gives you a centrally conditioned home that is suitable for the large size. If you’re doing up a resale HDB flat, or a BTO flat, then a mini-split air-conditioning system will suffice. Not only does it save space, it also looks modern and streamlined.