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"Mechanical" or "forced" ventilation is provided by an air handler and used to control indoor air quality. Excess humidity, odors, and contaminants can often be controlled via dilution or replacement with outside air. However, in humid climates much energy is required to remove excess moisture from ventilated air. Kitchens and bathrooms typically have mechanical exhaust to control odors and sometimes humidity. Factors in the design of such systems include the flow rate (which is a function of the fan speed and exhaust vent size) and noise level. Ceiling fans and table/floor fans circulate air within a room for the purpose of reducing the perceived temperature because of evaporation of perspiration on the skin of the occupants. Because hot air rises, ceiling fans may be used to keep a room warmer in the winter by circulating the warm stratified air from the ceiling to the floor. Ceiling fans do not provide ventilation as defined as the introduction of outside air.
Natural ventilation: Natural ventilation is the ventilation of a building with outside air without the use of a fan or other mechanical system. It can be achieved with operable windows or trickle vents when the spaces to ventilate are small and the architecture permits. In more complex systems warm air in the building can be allowed to rise and flow out upper openings to the outside (stack effect) thus forcing cool outside air to be drawn into the building naturally through openings in the lower areas. These systems use very little energy but care must be taken to ensure the occupants' comfort. In warm or humid months, in many climates, maintaining thermal comfort solely via natural ventilation may not be possible so conventional air conditioning systems are used as backups. Air-side economizers perform the same function as natural ventilation, but use mechanical systems' fans, ducts, dampers, and control systems to introduce and distribute cool outdoor air when appropriate.
Air conditioning: Air conditioning and refrigeration are provided through the removal of heat. The definition of cold is the absence of heat and all air conditioning systems work on this basic principle. An air conditioning system, or a standalone air conditioner, provides cooling, ventilation, and humidity control for all or part of a house or building.
Air Conditional Units: A variety of air conditional units are available for cooling commercial buildings. For example, window air conditions are a good choice for small offices. Such air conditional units are easy to install and require minimum skills to maintain. Split air conditional units are designed for the average, medium sized office. To install and maintain this unit requires an individual to possess at least a basic set of technical skills. Installation requires drilling, tube connection, changing refrigerant gas and vacuuming. For larger buildings, a central air conditioning system must be installed. This is a complex system, containing such smart features as automatic temperature and automation controls, operation logic controls and microprocessors. Therefore, maintenance requires expert service. A number of technologies have been introduced in order to improve cooling systems in commercial buildings. By using a chilled water system in place of air, cooling can effectively be distributed to different parts of a commercial building. These natural innovative techniques improve health and productivity for workers.
Single-Package Central Air - Single package central air conditioners are most commonly used in industrial applications. All of the components are mounted into one "package" which is typically mounted on the roof of a building although occasionally on a wall.
Split System Central Air Conditioning (ducted A/C) - This is what people most commonly think of when they speak of wanting air conditioning. Split central air allows you to place the noisy portion or your cooling unit outside where it will be less noticeable. Split central air requires that your house have ducting to the various rooms in your home (usually the same ducting you use for your central heat). Central air allows you to cool all parts of a house evenly and quietly.
Ductless Air Conditioning - For homes that do not have ducting already in place there have been real advancements in ductless air conditioning units. While you are not typically able to cool an entire home if you have a very open floor plan this allows you to once again keep the noisy parts of the process outside while you cool the area that surrounds the ductless A/C unit.
Portable Air Conditioning- For those on a budget or if you just have a room that refuses to cool as well as the rest of the house a portable unit is an economical option. It will be noisier, allow some warm outside air into the house, and have a more limited cooling area but it will make a significant difference on the temperature of your room.
Evaporation coolers - Also known as "swamp coolers" evaporation coolers pull air through damp pads cooling it as the air evaporates the water that becomes attached to it.
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