In North America, the most common types of air conditioners used for cooling residential and commercial spaces include:
Central Air Conditioning: Central air conditioning systems are the most common type in North America. They consist of an outdoor unit (condenser) that cools and compresses refrigerant and an indoor unit (evaporator) that circulates cool air throughout the building via ductwork.
Window Air Conditioners: Window air conditioners are self-contained units installed in a window or a hole in an exterior wall. They cool a single room or a small area and typically include a cooling unit, a fan, and controls.
Ductless Mini-Split Systems: Ductless mini-split systems provide zoned cooling without the need for ductwork. They consist of an outdoor unit connected to one or more indoor units mounted on the wall or ceiling. Each indoor unit cools a specific area or room.
Portable Air Conditioners: Portable air conditioners are mobile units that can be moved from room to room. They typically have an exhaust hose that needs to be vented through a window or wall. Portable air conditioners are suitable for cooling small to medium-sized spaces.
Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC): PTAC units are often found in hotels, motels, apartments, and similar spaces. They are self-contained units installed through an exterior wall and provide both heating and cooling.
Packaged Air Conditioning Units: Packaged units are common in commercial buildings and some residential applications. These units contain all the components, including the compressor, condenser, and evaporator, in a single outdoor unit. They can be rooftop units or ground-mounted.
It's worth noting that this list is not exhaustive, and there may be other types of air conditioning systems used in specific applications or regions within North America.