All split air conditioners work the same way — an indoor unit that cools the room and an outdoor unit that releases the heat outside — but the indoor unit comes in several shapes. The right one depends on the room, the ceiling and how much you want to see.
| Type | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Midwall split | Bedrooms, lounges, small offices | Most affordable to buy and install; the most popular choice in South African homes |
| Ceiling cassette | Open-plan areas, offices, shops | Sits flush in a suspended ceiling and blows in up to four directions; needs ceiling space |
| Ducted / hideaway | Several rooms, new builds, offices | Hidden in the roof; only grilles show; higher installation cost |
| Underceiling | Boardrooms, restaurants, halls | Long air throw; no ceiling void needed; good for concrete or high ceilings |
| Floor standing | Showrooms, large commercial spaces | High capacity, no ceiling work |
| Portable | Rentals, temporary spaces | No installation; noisier and less efficient than a split |
Homes
For most homes a midwall split in each room you use is the simplest and cheapest option. If you are building or renovating and want a clean look, a ducted system cools several rooms with one unit you never see.
Offices and shops
Cassettes spread air evenly across open-plan offices and shop floors. Underceiling units suit spaces with concrete ceilings or a long room that needs air thrown far. Larger units are often three-phase, so check your supply.
Which type of aircon is the quietest?
Ducted systems are the quietest in the room because the unit is in the ceiling space. Among wall units, inverter midwall splits are very quiet on low speed — compare the indoor sound level (dB) on the specification sheet.
Is a portable aircon worth it?
Only when you can’t install a split, for example in a rental. A portable unit vents heat through a hose to a window, is louder and uses more electricity for the same cooling.
What is a multi-split?
One outdoor unit connected to two or more indoor units, useful when there is space for only one outdoor unit. Ask us if you need one quoted.