When you start a small business, or you are in charge of one, you will have to make many important decisions.
One of those decisions is how you are going to handle the air conditioning in your new location. There are plenty of options for you, but you need to think strategically. Take into consideration that you are just starting, so investing a lot of money upfront may not be the best idea.
The most common air conditioning system for a business is ducted air conditioning that usually gets installed in the roof. But if you want something for a small business, i.e. smaller place but want it to be equally effective, then you should consider acquiring ductless air conditioning.
What is ducted and ductless air conditioning?
Ducted air conditioning works with air conditioning grilles/ducts. Air is expelled through them and the supply air outlets are distributed around the ceiling. The indoor unit is connected to an outdoor unit via refrigeration pipework and interconnect cable.
In comparison, a ductless system provides separate heating and air conditioning without the need for ductwork. You can also combine multiple indoor units to create a multi-zone system. Indoor units can include wall split units, floor-standing units, ceiling-mounted cassettes, and under-ceiling split units.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Ducted Air Conditioning
Currently, many domestic and commercial buildings have the pre-installation of a ducted air conditioning system. This would be an advantage when choosing ducted over the other AC types available on the market.
To have ducted air conditioning in your office, your office will need to have these ducts, through which the hot or cold air from a single unit will circulate. If you don’t have these ducts, then it can be rather expensive to install initially.
Advantages
Ducted aircon usually enhances the aesthetic of rooms in your office as you will not have to have a large device inside each of these spaces. Also, the bulk of the system will be covered or hidden behind the ceiling, so people will hardly notice it is there.
Furthermore, ducted units are highly effective if you need to cool many rooms at the same time. Also, by having a single outdoor unit, maintenance costs can be lower.
Disadvantages
In many cases, you will not be able to choose which room to air condition. This is because ducted devices, without a separate zoning system installed, constantly pump out air when switched on.
The air will come through the ducts and out in all the rooms where there is a grille installed. This can make you spend more on your business energy bill than you need to. You have enough expenses already, without adding more.
Also, if your office does not have ductwork or drainage already installed, the investment can be reasonably high if you have to carry out remodelling works.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Ductless Air Conditioner
The first thing you should know is that these devices can have an amazing air conditioner function. With this, you will be able to obtain a far more comfortable working environment.
There are a range of options available. For example, the silent ductless portable air conditioner is very easy to install and you will not have to do any expensive renovations or installation.
Advantages
The main advantage of ductless AC are devices that save half the electricity consumption compared to other air conditioners. You can switch off units in rooms that aren’t in use rather than continue to heat or cool the whole workplace.
Remember that traditional HVAC systems sometimes develop leaks in the ductwork that can reduce the efficiency dramatically. You can avoid this problem entirely with a ductless air conditioning system. Also, they do not usually require as much maintenance, saving you money in the long run.
Constant air circulation by an air conditioner, plus its ability to filter the air, helps to improve breathing. Ducted AC units can be some of the quietest options of all with fast installation, so you can start operating your new business as soon as possible with no distraction.
Last but not least, you will save a lot of space with these devices. This makes ductless aircon a great option for a typical small business premises.
Disadvantages
The efficiency of ductless AC units can decrease in places where humidity and temperatures are very high. Also, the air conditioning may not reach everywhere in larger places.
Also, ventilation cannot be integrated into a ductless system like it can be with a ducted system. Unless you buy the high end Daikin US7, outside air cannot be brought into a central location like it can with ducted HVAC.
Furthermore, you typically can’t integrate humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air cleaning, or air purifiers with ductless air conditioning. This is compared to ducted air conditioning where you can find these features.
Why ductless air conditioning is beneficial for your business?
Ductless aircon can be ideal for a new business when starting from scratch. For example, you do not need to install any ductwork. This will save you time and money, as well as preventing a more complicated installation and maintenance.
Also, it makes it easier for you to control which room you want to air condition. It is also easy for workers to manage the devices and adjust the temperature to their needs. Furthermore, this will save you money as there are less heat loss and heat gain with a ductless system.
It’s modular, which means that if you need more heating or cooling or your office expands, you will just need to acquire other ductless air conditioner units. Compare this to the cost of installing more ductwork and materials for the new rooms, if even possible with ducted air conditioning.
How to choose?
Choosing an air conditioning system will depend on many factors. Factors are linked to the characteristics of the place where you are going to install AC and your specific needs. These include how many rooms you want to air condition and if you want to cool down/warm up with the same device.
Also, you have to take into consideration how much are you willing to spend on your air conditioning as you can also opt for air conditioning without installation. This is suitable for consideration in places where temperatures are not so high.
Remember that buying the best air conditioning for your business is an important decision, so please do not hesitate to contact us in case you have any question or need any advice. We can help find the best solution to match your business needs.
