Summer arrives and, with it, the inevitable question: why does my living room feel like the inside of an industrial oven? The short answer is that Spanish homes absorb heat like sponges, and without an adequate cooling system, lowering the temperature becomes a losing battle from the start. The good news is that there are solutions for every type of home and budget, and not all of them involve going into debt to pay the electricity bill.
Before diving into the details, if you are an installer or simply want to be clear about the available options, you can check their air conditioning catalogue to see what equipment and brands are currently on the market.
Split and Multi-Split Air Conditioning
The split system is, by far, the most common option in Spanish homes, and there must be a reason for that. Its operation is simple: one indoor unit is responsible for distributing treated air in the room, while the outdoor unit expels heat outside. Two pieces, one clear objective.
The multi-split takes this logic a step further: a single outdoor unit serves multiple indoor units distributed across different rooms. This has obvious advantages in terms of visual impact on the facade and simplification of the outdoor installation, although it requires proper sizing to ensure performance is as expected in all rooms.
Advantages of Installing a Split or Multi-Split System
Beyond comfort, these systems offer solid technical arguments:
- Installation without major works, which reduces cost and intervention time
- Inverter technology, which adjusts the compressor power to actual demand and significantly cuts electricity consumption
- Independent room control, allowing you to regulate the temperature of each room as needed
- Low noise level in current indoor units, especially in mid-high range equipment
- Air filtration, with systems that trap particles, dust, and allergens
Models from brands like Daikin, Samsung, or Mitsubishi Electric available at specialized distributors like gruponovelec.com achieve energy labels A+++ and are designed for both residential use and larger projects.
Ducted Air Conditioning System
When looking to climate control the entire home uniformly and discreetly, ducted air conditioning is the most elegant solution on the market. The indoor unit is installed in the false ceiling, usually in a technical area like a hallway or bathroom, and from there a network of ducts distributes treated air to each room through grilles.
The result is an installation that is practically invisible: there are no units on the wall, no hanging controls, nothing that disrupts the aesthetics of the space. Only the supply and return grilles, which integrate seamlessly into any finish.
Advantages of Ducted Air Conditioning
This system has some features that clearly differentiate it from conventional splits:
- Simultaneous climate control of the entire home with a single outdoor unit
- Completely hidden installation, ideal for new builds or comprehensive renovations
- Smart zoning, allowing the home to be divided into zones with independent temperatures via motorized dampers
- Centralized and accessible maintenance through the false ceiling access points
- Next-generation equipment with very low noise levels, barely perceptible during operation
The weak point, if it can be called that, is that it requires work for the installation of the false ceiling and ducts, making it more suitable for planned renovations or new constructions than for quick installations in already finished homes.
What to Consider Before Choosing One System Over Another
The decision between split and ducted systems is not just a matter of budget. There are other factors worth considering before installing anything:
The type of home and its renovation status is probably the most determining criterion. If the home is already finished and no work is planned, the split or multi-split is the most practical option. If a comprehensive renovation is underway, ducts offer a much more integrated solution.
The total area to be cooled also influences the choice. For small spaces or those with few rooms, a split is more than sufficient. For larger homes where a uniform temperature is desired at all times, ducts make a significant difference.
The building's insulation is another point that deserves attention before installing any equipment. A poorly insulated space forces the system to work harder than necessary, increasing consumption and shortening the equipment's lifespan. Reviewing the insulation of enclosures, roofs, and ducts is an investment that pays off quickly.
Finally, local urban regulations may restrict the placement of outdoor units on facades or common areas, something particularly relevant in residential buildings in cities. It is worth checking this before purchasing any equipment.
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