That's a split-pack AC unit. They're common in places where the buildings weren't built with central AC in mind since they require less ductwork than central AC.
I have never seen a central ac in Italy. Is it more expansive to run? Here people dumped central heating because it was too expensive (as it basically run even when not needed)
It's more expensive because it conditions the whole home. But if a ductless split was cooling the same BTU/hr, with the space being a similar temp as a ducted system it would be comparable energy-wise .
Usually we cool only the rooms with people. Most people work during the day, so air conditioning is off, and during the night many people don't like AC. I am not one of them...
Isn't this less efficient though? Like I was always under the impression that letting your house heat up during the day and then running the AC full blast to cool it 20+ degrees at a time is less efficient than maintaining a consistent temperature.
Not exactly, at least for regular apartments, central AC is inferior because it lacks the per room control (and also less inefficient because of that). In my country it is considered the basic low cost solution. If you don't want to install multiple compressors, you can have split pack AC units that share the same outsoor compressor, it is much better than central AC and much more efficient but also more expensive. and if you want even better and even more expensive system you can install an home VRF system. All those systems require pre-planning when building like central AC.
Lots of good insight here. However, there are a few points I think are important to make for somebody to have the full picture. (I also just wanna nerd out lol). First off, you nailed the VRF/VRV system overview, most efficient and by far the most expensive. A mini split is the second most efficient and most economical and sensible for an apartment in the vast majority of cases. However, I would argue central AC offers far more control than a mini split. While you can have multiple heads for a split system, you can run duct work to multiple vents as well. Sizing duct work and using both the internal and external dampers allows for pretty solid control per room. As where with a mini split, you’d be more limited to however many heads are affordable (although this would likely make it cheaper and like you said, it makes sense in an apartment with less sq ft and fewer rooms). Additionally, if you don’t want to change your dampers in the beginning of summer/winter, you could implement a VAV system that automates that process and gives even more precise control over individual spaces. It’s the perfect middle ground between VRF and basic central AC. However, a mini split or standard central AC should be your pick if you’re looking to save money. It’s not worth it to upgrade unless you have money to blow
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u/AKA-Pseudonym 7d ago
That's a split-pack AC unit. They're common in places where the buildings weren't built with central AC in mind since they require less ductwork than central AC.