Air Conditioner & Heat Pump Types

Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps comprise a wide array of variety, types, and names when reference is made to them. Below is a list used to describe these types of systems in generic terms. Any one of the units below can heat, cool, or condition air or have a combination or single use depending on how they are specified at the factory. The end user, the customer, usually specifies to the contractor what application they need to satisfy and the contractor orders the equipment from a local distributor or factory representative. Equipment that is commonly used and purchased by contractors is usually kept in stock at the distributor. Some equipment that have unique specifications have to be special ordered from the factory and will require time for the manufacturing and shipping process.

Geothermal heat pumps, like a regular heat pump, provides heating and cooling. The big difference between a geothermal heat pump and regular heat pumps are the geothermal heat pump is far more efficient in operating costs. You have to weigh that in with the installation costs because they are more expensive upfront to install. Depending on the efficiency level of the geothermal heat pumps you get will depend on when you will realize a pay back on the extra installations costs versus regular heat pump installation and operating costs.

• Split Systems - found in all types of HVAC applications from residential to commercial to industrial. Typical set up is a condensing unit outside with an air handler inside. The two units typically share control voltage and have a copper line-set running between them to connect the evaporator to the condenser. Typically they have separate circuits for line voltage power. Split systems can be either heat pumps or air conditioner systems.
• Package Units - These are all in one units. Everything is inside one metal box including the evaporator coil, the condenser coil, the compressor, the blower motor, gas components if it arranged as a gas furnace (referred to as a gas pack), and all the controls electrical circuits except for the thermostat. Found mainly in residential and light commercial HVAC applications. Package units can be either heat pumps or air conditioners with gas heat.
• Roof Top Units - very similar to package units with slight variances. Like a Package Unit, all components are contained in a metal box. These systems range from small residential systems all the way up to 100+ ton monsters for large commercial applications. These systems can be either heat pumps or air conditioner systems.
• Mini-splits - these are usually small units that heat, and/or cool, and/or condition the air. They are found in residential and commercial applications and do not require duct work. Comparatively speaking, these units are a mix between a split system and window air conditioner/heat pump units. Mini-splits are very good at providing supplemental heating, and/cooling, and /or conditioning of small rooms such as room additions, rooms over garages (residential), offices, and server rooms where extra heat is generated by computers. The indoor part of this system mounts on any wall and does not require a window. Mini-split systems do require a copper line-set between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. Sometimes referred to as ductless air conditioners or ductless heat pumps. Mini-splits can be either heat pumps units or air conditioners with electric heat back-up.
• Window Units - these systems are cheap and very common in residential. Sometimes requires special circuits for power. Commonly, window air conditioners or heat pumps are only good for a single room. Bigger dwellings require multiple window air conditioners or heat pumps to be effective.
• High Velocity Mini-Duct Systems - these air conditioners or heat pumps are specialized systems for tight spaces where it is impossible to run conventional duct work. Excellent for buildings in historical districts where duct work wasn't even dreamed of when the home or building was built. Main trunk duct is 7 inches with branch ducts being 2 inches. This high velocity air flow system requires mufflers on the diffusers to eliminate air noise. Mufflers are hidden and diffusers are a small 2 to 4 inches in diameter.
• Through-the-Wall Units - Commonly referred to as through-the-wall units but technically called PTAC's or Portable Terminal Air Conditioning Units. These systems can also be specified as heat pumps. Commonly used in hotel and motel units for maintaining individual room comfort. These systems can be either heat pumps or air conditioner systems.
• Wall Mount Units - these systems are commonly seen on contruction trailers and modular trailers. They come in a range of sizes and applications.

Video of an HVAC crew lifting air conditioning and heating rooftop units to the top of a building.

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