Wall-Mounted Aircon Or Cassette Aircon Unit: The Pros and Cons

In the past, they said having an aircon unit, especially at home could be seen as a status symbol. But nowadays, it is already a necessity as it can help you in so many ways. Not just in alleviating the warm weather but it also has good benefits for your health.

However, as technology is getting better, most of the aircon units in the market have also evolved and got better with time. Let’s take a look at the differences between a wall-mounted and a cassette-type aircon unit and how to choose properly:

Wall Mounted Aircon Unit:

PROS

1) They are cheaper

They are cheaper than their ceiling counterparts. Let’s admit it, we would usually opt to buy an aircon unit that’s also budget-friendly. Therefore, you need to choose and plan ahead of time for you to save time and money when buying an aircon unit. Researching or doing some canvas will help you if you’re on a tight budget.

2) Usually come in smaller sizes

This means they can be used even in cramped living spaces. When you’re living alone or even starting a family, a wall-mounted aircon unit would be the perfect choice since it isn’t at all a space-eater! They are often stylish and you don’t need to worry about where and how to position them since they are technically designed conveniently.

3) Can be installed easily

Yes, it is! But that doesn’t mean you won’t need the help of a professional aircon servicing company. It is always best to call for a professional aircon servicing company when it comes to installing a new aircon unit. They know better and they can as well educate you on the Dos and Don’ts of your newly purchased aircon unit.

4) Come with their own ventilation systems which makes installation easier

The main purpose of an aircon unit is to maintain a good indoor air quality through adequate ventilation with filtration and as well as to provide thermal comfort. Not to mention, an aircon unit can also affect other high-performance goals such as water consumption and acoustics. It is no wonder why most homeowners have opted for this type of aircon.

5) Provides more flexibility and portability

The introduction of ductless wall-mounted split aircon units has brought convenience to everyone who owns this type. As it can save space, it even has a low noise level and it is also individually designed to make sure that everyone in the family will be comfortable no matter which area they stay in. Not to mention, you can as well control them with your smartphone.

CONS

1) Difficult to clean

Cleaning and making sure that your aircon unit will be at its finest performance will definitely require you to call a professional aircon servicing company since there may be parts that will not allow you to reach them just by your bare hands. Besides, maintenance checks are also a must for these kinds of equipment.

2) Requires high level of headroom

It is recommended that these types of aircon units must be installed at 7-8 feet in order for the aircon unit to perform well and reach its maximum cooling performance. If you are fixing the aircon unit very close to the wall or in an airtight room it will trip due to high head pressure, as heat dissipation can’t happen.

3) Less efficient than its ceiling counterpart

Since wall-mounted aircon units usually come in smaller sizes, then they have a tendency to cool in a lesser manner as well. It is also important to note that these types of aircon units will depend on their BTU or British Thermal Unit as they will measure how much energy your aircon uses to remove heat from your home within an hour. So it is important to do your own research before buying a new aircon unit.

4) Does not offer good cross-ventilation function

Cross-ventilation function or wind-effect ventilation is a natural method of cooling. Successful wind ventilation is determined by having high thermal comfort and adequate fresh air for the ventilated spaces while having little or no energy use for active cooling and ventilation. This is one of the most important aspects to improve the indoor environmental quality of your aircon unit and you won’t be able to achieve it if you only have limited space for your aircon unit.

5) Limited blower speed and airflow function

This is exactly why you need to read on important facts about an aircon unit that you need to purchase. An aircon unit has its different BTUs and various classifications so you definitely need to know the basics in order for you to avoid regrets and complaints in the long run since a wall-mounted aircon unit is totally good for cramped spaces and might just upset your huge living space at home.

Cassette Type Aircon:

PROS

1) Compared to conventional aircon, cassette type aircon is cheaper

It cost 25%-30% less than a conventional split aircon unit. This is because of its simple design and lack of need for installation works/labor hours in comparison with the conventional system.

2) It has lower electricity consumption

This is compared to other types of aircon units due to its energy-efficient feature and is 100-130W per hour only. It also means that you totally save some money and use it for other important matters at home.

3) Lower noise level

Typically below 40 decibels when cooling or heating air. This is much quieter when compared to window-type aircon units at around 60-70 decibels while cooling or heating the air inside rooms. Besides that, it can be mounted outside windows via built-in wall brackets where they are less noticeable from within the rooms.

4) Environmentally friendly

This is all because of its energy-efficient feature of 100-130 watts per hour only which is less power consumption than conventional aircon systems. Moreover, cassette-type aircon units do not release carbon dioxide gas, unlike window-type aircon units.

5) It is equipped with modern digital control board

This is indeed a better way to provide ease of access for frequency tuning, fan speed setting, and temperature adjustment. The range of the board is from 3 degrees Celsius – 43 degrees Celsius in cooling mode or 24-43 degrees Celsius in heating mode.

In addition, a wireless remote controller to set timer or change modes remotely via wireless operation buttons. This makes cassette-type aircon units more compatible with smart homes these days which requires digital control over different systems installed within household premises.

CONS

1) Noise level

The noise level is still relatively high at around 60-70 decibels from inside rooms. Thus, cassette-type aircon units can never be a full substitute for window-type aircon units which have lower noise levels of around 40dB. Find out how to fix a noisy cassette aircon in your office if you are troubled by one.

2) Low cooling/heating performance

When compared to split systems a cassette-type aircon unit is low in cooling performance due mainly to its small number of cooling/heating plates that are only made from simple plastic materials and not aluminum as seen in many conventional split aircon units.

3) It requires electricity

This is in order to power up the compressor unit mounted on the top part of the cassette for compression & expansion purposes. So, it does affect household power consumption or bills during usage.

4) Installation cost is higher

Compared to conventional split aircon units due mainly to more components that are required during installation such as wall/roof brackets, piping, etc. Also, the cassette-type aircon unit cannot be installed at any position as it requires to be mounted outside windows via built-in brackets due to its fragile nature without being able to withstand wind load pressures from within rooms.

Therefore, there is a risk of falling off, especially on windy days if improperly installed or not well supported by strong structures e.g. concrete walls/brick walls which is a big disadvantage compared to a split-type aircon unit.

5) Water leakage

It might take place due to a loose connection between pipings or other components that do not match up perfectly hence requiring a professional aircon servicing company for further attention every now and then.

This is disadvantageous when compared to split systems where water leakage cannot occur due to its closed-circuit design. The risk of leakage is minimal within split system types, for example, in less than 1% cases whereas cassette type has more chances for it, 10-20% maybe even higher than that if poorly installed.

Ceiling Cassette Aircon Vs Wall Mounted Aircon Unit: How to Choose

When planning to cool your home or office, the main choice is whether to go with a wall-mounted vs cassette aircon unit. While the two can do an excellent cooling job, there are so many differences that distinguish them and help you choose.

It would help if you considered several factors when installing an aircon unit that should also help you choose the most beneficial. When asking yourself which type of aircon unit to choose, wall mounted vs. cassette type aircon unit, consider the following differences and essential aspects.

What is a Ceiling Cassette Aircon Unit?

As the name suggests, this type of air conditioner mounted in the ceiling, most preferably in a floating ceiling for more effectiveness. They are designed to cover a relatively large room and provide exceptional coverage through powerful and fast fans and adjustable thermostats.

Advantages of Ceiling Cassette Aircon Unit:

Based on their location, the ceiling cassette aircon units ensure even distribution of air in the room. This is because cold air falls.

This type of aircon has the condenser placed outside, and therefore no noise disturbances are allowing you to conduct your business or any activity in a conducive environment.

The variable speed fan and the programmable thermostat allow temperature regulations and prevent excess utility bills such as electricity expenses.

Disadvantages of Ceiling Cassette Aircon Unit:

The location of the compressor on the outside can be troublesome in cases of large buildings. It can lead to the destruction of the aesthetic if the walls as more holes are needed to install the cassette aircon unit.

Besides, the relatively long distance between the compressor and the aircon unit can cause cost increases and make the entire installation process time-consuming.

When installing the aircon unit for a warehouse or a large office, more aircon units are required increasing the cost significantly. 

There must be enough ceiling space to support the aircon unit. There are no alternatives to modify the ceiling, and therefore the only thing you can do in case you have insufficient ceiling space is to look for other types of aircon.

What is a Wall-Mounted Aircon Unit?

This is an aircon unit installed into wall openings that are aimed to cool your space bit by bit or in a particular room to keep your family happy and comfortable.

Advantages of a Wall-Mounted Aircon Unit:

Installation and maintenance of wall-mounted aircon units are inexpensive compared to others. It, therefore, can save you a handsome amount of money if you go with it. Due to advanced technology, this type uses inverter technology, which is economical to run.

Due to the inverter technology, the wall types are fast, ensuring that the required temperature is attained at any given time. The technology also allows you to control the aircon unit at your comfort using wireless remote controls.

Wall aircon units do not affect your room’s aesthetic nature when professionally installed. This is because a vent on the wall is used to exhaust humidity and heat, which can be unnoticeable. Also, the aircon unit saves you more space as it is installed on the walls.  

The wall-type aircon units have a better cooling capacity and can cool a room fast. They are also designed to shut when a place is at a favorable temperature, saving you some utility cost.

Disadvantages of Wall-Mounted Aircon Unit:

Unfortunately, the wall-type aircon units do not cool your entire home. More so, they are more effective when cooling a single room.

Wall-type aircon units also work best behind closed doors, and therefore you have to close the doors when using them.

The installation process of a wall-type aircon unit is complex and requires skilled labor.

A guideline to making the right choice:

After understanding the different features and benefits of both wall-mounted and cassette-type aircon units, making the decision is the next step. You can consider the following factors and gauge which option best suits you.

The installation process should be manageable. You should also include the equipment and installation cost to see if its pocket friendly.

Running costs and efficiency should be well balanced. This means that the system should be cost-effective, depending on the area’s size to be cooled down.

Maintenance and cleaning should be manageable. The choice of aircon unit you decide to go with should be easy to clean and maintain to keep the aircon units operating effectively and prolong the aircon unit’s life.

The aesthetic effect of these aircon units differs quite significantly. However, you can choose one that is more favorable, depending on your desires and where to be used.

It is crucial to involve a reliable aircon servicing professional who can guide you on the best aircon unit suitable for you, depending on your specific wants. You can be taken step by step through both options helping you to make the ideal decision.

Fixing A Noisy Cassette Aircon Unit In An Office

Today, aircon units have become a necessity rather than a home appliance for the wealthy. Be it in a residential building, office building, warehouse, or rental unit, cassette-type aircon units are very essential in keeping the environment cool and habitable. In addition, because of different varying needs, there are several air conditioning options that a person can find in the market.

A ceiling cassette aircon unit in an office is indeed a great investment. As opposed to boxed-type aircon units that only offer cooling benefits to a small area, the ceiling aircon unit provides all-around cooling and can be an asset to customer services during business hours. However, as with all gadgets, an aircon unit can also run into various aircon issues from time to time. One of these is that the cassette-type aircon unit might sometimes get noisy.

What are the common types of sound a noisy cassette aircon unit emits and its reasons:

There are many different reasons that your office ceiling aircon unit might emit noises. It might be useful to remember that any sort of noise is the surest sign of a dysfunctional cooling system. Understanding the reasons this happens can go a long way in addressing the aircon issue accordingly.

Clicking Sound: 

This happens when the valve is controlling the refrigerant and engaging other electrical parts that are not meant to be engaged. To solve this one might need to dismantle the entire aircon unit and put things back in their proper place.

Ping Sound: 

This means that the aircon unit is expanding or contracting due to temperature changes. The first thing one has to do in this type of aircon issue is to switch off the entire aircon unit. Furthermore, to prevent this from happening again it is a good idea to keep the temperature of the aircon unit at a constant rather than changing it frequently.

Whooshing Sound: 

This is one of the most common sounds made in a malfunctioning aircon unit. It is because of the change in refrigerant flow and can be fixed by calling a professional aircon service company in charge of the aircon unit.

Here are other problematic aircon unit noises that require immediate attention:

Humming Sound 

Most aircon units produce a low-level hum, and this can be completely normal. However, if the sound is louder than usual, there’s likely an aircon issue with the fan motor.

 

Buzzing Noise 

The buzz could indicate an electrical discharge from damaged or loose wiring, which poses a significant safety risk and becomes a potential fire hazard. Calling in aid of a professional aircon servicing company and catching the aircon issue early could save on potential repairs down the track.

Squealing Noise 

A high pitched squeal or squeak can be one of the louder noises produced by an aircon unit. The piercing sound can indicate that the blower motor’s belt has slipped and requires adjustment. Most modern aircon units no longer use a belt system, so this aircon issue is exclusive to older systems. And yet contemporary aircon units can also squeal if the bearings on the condenser have worn down from use or if the compressor fails. Both problems need to be addressed by a professional aircon servicing company right away before they cause the motor to fail.

Rattling Noise 

Rattling noises are among the most common undesirable sounds to come from an aircon unit. It’s possible that debris has found its way into the aircon unit only to rattle and annoy. A much more serious cause is that loose parts have broken off and are now rattling around in the ducts or fan.

If the outdoor compressor has experienced damage, then a fan blade may have bent and now brush the sides of the casing. Whatever the cause, there’s potential for the damage to worsen, so call a professional aircon servicing company as soon as possible who may be able to provide a simple solution before a big one or a replacement is required.

Here are a few useful tips that might help you fix your noisy cassette aircon unit: 

• Disconnect the entire aircon unit: 

The first step to fixing a noisy ceiling cassette aircon unit is to disconnect it. This prevents further damage and also keeps a check on the chances of accidents or mishaps. After this one must contact a professional aircon servicing company since this requires expertise and it is an office all-around cooling device, chances are that it will take more than a couple of hours to fix. The sheer size of the aircon unit needs extra technical help and unlike home units that can be fixed using smaller mechanisms such as cooling foams or insulation mats, these types of aircon units need professional help. It is also a good idea to ensure that you keep the warranty card with you in your office in times of emergency.

• Warranty period and durability: 

The first thing you need to check for is the date of purchase of the aircon unit. While some aircon units can be fixed over time and with added services, many times office owners find that the aircon unit is too old for it to be of any value. In cases such as these, it is better to sell off the entire thing. There are many professional aircon servicing companies in Singapore that will be willing to buy the second-hand aircon unit and you can get some of the investment money back as well.

• Routine cleaning and maintenance of the condenser: 

The reason many aircon units start to make a whirring noise is because of the dust accumulated in the internal units. One can hire a professional aircon servicing company to clean the condenser regularly. An unmaintained condenser could bring some serious aircon issues that will definitely bleed your pockets. A noisy air conditioner is not only an inconvenience but is also a dangerous problem. This is because it is indicative of the expanding and contracting hardware of the device. In addition, there might be internal aircon issues that are causing inefficient cooling and abnormal noises.

It’s always a good time to talk about the common issues that aircon units have. This way, you’ll be able to spot if there are problems with your unit or not and prepare for its replacement accordingly. If you require our aircon servicing services, Whatsapp us at +65 9222 4141 for a fast and transparent quote.

338 Aircon Servicing Singapore provides an extensive range of Aircon Services including Aircon Servicing, Aircon Repairs, Aircon Installation of the best aircon brands, Chemical Overhaul, Gas Top-up, Aircon Leaking Water, and Aircon Not Cold Fix, and more. We have a team of professional technicians who are equipped with vast knowledge and experience in the Aircon industry.

We have over 15 years of experience in dealing with aircon works and have completed thousands of aircon works for both residential (Landed, Condo, and HDB) and commercial. We are a highly recommended Aircon Company in Singapore, with many delighted customers and reviews over the years on Google and Facebook.

WhatsApp us at +65 9222 4141 for a transparent quotation and honest pricing for all your aircon needs or Call us at +65 9222 4141. We offer a fast and efficient service to serve any of your aircon needs!