Most of the big buildings and offices these days are air conditioned using central air conditioner. Most of us would probably not notice it as the conditioned air is ducted to the space or rooms and what we see is only the diffuser and a tiny thermostat that controls the temperature of the room.

The bulk of the equipment are located in the plant room and air handling unit room (AHU Room). There are basically two types of systems that are being implemented in most buildings. They are the Direct or the Indirect type.

The Direct type is also known as the DX system where the air in the space is directly cooled by the evaporator coil. The air from the space to be cooled is circulated over the cooling coil of a refrigeration plant.

The Indirect type uses chilled water or brine from the refrigeration plant that is circulated through the cooling coil which is located in the air-handling unit (AHU) to cool and dehumidify the room air. This system is also known as the central chilled water system.

    DX Central Air Conditioner System

    In DX system, the condensing unit where the compressor and its motor as well as the condenser are located in the Plant Room, separated from the space that is to be conditioned and the air-handling unit.

    The condensing unit should be located as close as possible to the AHU to keep the pressure drop in the piping to a minimum. The compressors can be of open type or semi-hermetic type. The open-type can be directly or belt driven by a motor or engine.

    The AHU is located in another room. It consists of evaporator coils, air filter, return air duct, fan motor, thermostatic expansion valve and ducting works to the space to be conditioned. The return air-duct and supply air-duct are insulated.

    The suction and liquid lines connect the condensing unit to the cooling coil.

    In the water-cooled system, the condenser is water-cooled and is fitted to a steel framework on which the compressor and the motor are mounted to form a compact condensing unit.

    Chilled Water(CW) System

    In the chilled water system, the compressor and its motor, the water-cooled condenser and the chiller (evaporator) are all assembled in a huge structured steel framework.

    It forms a complete and compact refrigeration plant known as a chiller package. The refrigeration piping, thermostatic expansion valve, liquid line solenoid valve and line shut off valve are all compacted together.

    Fan Coil Units

    The chilled water that has been cooled is distributed to all the rooms by using pipes. There are fan coil units in each room which basically consists of a fan, coil for heat exchange and a thermostat. 

    The warmer return air from the room is forced to contact the coils that cooled it before being discharged to the room. The coils are connected to the fins that provide bigger surface area for heat exchange to take place.

    The fan speed of the fan can be controlled and temperature of the room is regulated by using a thermostat. The valve will open to let the chilled-water flows when cooling is required and will stop when the temperature of the room has been achieved. 

    Editorial Contributors
    avatar for Alora Bopray

    Alora Bopray

    Staff Writer

    Alora Bopray is a digital content producer for the home warranty, HVAC, and plumbing categories at Today's Homeowner. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of St. Scholastica and her master's degree from the University of Denver. Before becoming a writer for Today's Homeowner, Alora wrote as a freelance writer for dozens of home improvement clients and informed homeowners about the solar industry as a writer for EcoWatch. When she's not writing, Alora can be found planning her next DIY home improvement project or plotting her next novel.

    Learn More

    photo of Roxanne Downer

    Roxanne Downer

    Editor

    Roxanne Downer is a commerce editor at Todayโ€™s Homeowner, where she tackles everything from foundation repair to solar panel installation. She brings more than 15 years of writing and editing experience to bear in her meticulous approach to ensuring accurate, up-to-date, and engaging content. Sheโ€™s previously edited for outlets including MSN, Architectural Digest, and Better Homes & Gardens. An alumna of the University of Pennsylvania, Roxanne is now an Oklahoma homeowner, DIY enthusiast, and the proud parent of a playful pug.

    Learn More

    Find Our Top Picks for HVAC Pros in Major Cities