Although the majority of air conditioning systems work in the same way, there’s a big difference between what’s needed for homes and commercial spaces. 

Commercial AC is designed to meet the unique demands of businesses, making them larger, more powerful and more complex than home units. Whereas, home HVAC systems focus on comfort and efficiency for smaller residential areas.

In this article, we’ll share with you the key distinctions between commercial HVAC systems and home HVAC systems. From differences in design and performance to maintenance and functionality, understanding these differences can help you choose the right solution for your space.

What is Commercial AC?

Commercial AC is also referred to as commercial HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning). The word commercial means that the AC units are specifically designed to meet the demands of large spaces such as offices, retail stores, factories and hospitals. 

Unlike home HVAC systems, which cater to smaller private spaces, commercial HVAC systems are built to cool large areas with multiple rooms. In some cases  these units cool entire buildings and run for extended hours to accommodate business hours. 

Types of Commercial HVAC Systems

Since commercial air conditioning systems are designed to meet different needs than home HVAC systems, the units are different. Below are the some of the various types of commercial HVAC units:

VRF Systems

A Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system is a complex HVAC system, designed to provide temperature control to multiple rooms and units at the same time. You’re able to add more AC units to the same VRF system at any time, making them a versatile choice for commercial businesses.

VRF systems use a single outdoor unit connected to multiple indoor units, with refrigerant flow adjusted based on each room’s heating or cooling needs. This allows individual rooms to maintain different temperatures simultaneously.

Multi-Split Systems

Multi-Split HVAC systems consist of a single outdoor unit connecting to multiple indoor units. While this may sound identical to a VRF system, they differ in their capacity and functionality.

Multi-split systems can only distribute a fixed amount of refrigerant to each indoor unit. This offers basic room temperature control but with limited efficiency compared to VRF systems. They are best suited for medium sized commercial spaces and they’re more affordable and simpler to install. 

Ceiling Cassettes

A ceiling cassette unit is a type of indoor air conditioning unit that is installed in the ceiling. It’s a discreet and space-saving solution for cooling or heating a room. Ceiling cassette units typically cannot operate on their own without being part of a larger commercial  HVAC system.

It is designed to work hand-in-hand with outdoor units, such as in a mini-split or VRF system, which provides the necessary refrigerant and power for the ceiling cassette to function.

So how is Commercial AC Different From Home AC?

While both commercial AC and home AC systems serve the same purpose of cooling indoor spaces they still have many key differences:

• Different Size and Capacity: Home HVAC systems are much smaller and less complex compared to commercial AC. Home systems are designed to cool individual rooms or small houses.
• Different Installation Requirements: Commercial HVAC systems are much more complex and large-scale. This means the installation process requires more time and precision compared to home HVAC.
• Cost: Due to their larger scale and complexity, commercial air conditioning systems are more expensive to install, operate and maintain. 
• Usage: Commercial AC is designed for continuous operation. Whereas home HVAC units are used for shorter periods, often just during hot weather or at specific times of day.

Commercial Air Conditioning at Chillaire

At Chillaire, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality commercial air conditioning solutions that meet the unique needs of your business. With years of expertise and a focus on energy efficiency, we ensure your environment stays comfortable year-round.

Whether you’re looking for installation, maintenance or repair services, our professional team is ready to help.

Contact Chillaire today for any queries.