What is an Indoor/Outdoor System in an HVAC system?

An indoor/outdoor system in an HVAC system refers to a comfort system consisting of components in two locations. Common examples include an outside unit, such as an air conditioner, and an indoor unit, such as a furnace with a coil.

The outdoor unit is responsible for rejecting the heat from the indoor unit to the outdoors. The function of the outdoor unit can be reversed in a heating operation. In this case, the outdoor unit would absorb heat from the outdoors and reject it into the indoors. The most common type of indoor/outdoor system is an air conditioner and furnace combination. Other examples include:

heat pumps,
packaged units,
and ductless mini-split systems.

What are the benefits of an Indoor/Outdoor System?

There are many benefits to using an indoor/outdoor system in your home:

One benefit is that you can choose the location of the outdoor unit. This means you can place it in a location that is most convenient for you. For example, you might want to place the outdoor unit near an exit so you can easily move it when necessary.
Another benefit is that you can choose the size of the indoor and outdoor units. This means you can tailor the system to your specific needs. For example, if you have a large home, you might want to purchase a larger outdoor unit.
Finally, an indoor/outdoor system provides flexibility in terms of installation. This means you can choose to have the indoor and outdoor units connected by ductwork or not.

What is an indoor and outdoor unit in AC?

The outdoor unit is the large box-like unit that sits outside your home. It contains the compressor, condenser coils, and a fan. The compressor pumps refrigerant through the system. The condenser coils reject heat from the refrigerant and send it outdoors. The fan helps circulate air over the coils.

The indoor unit is typically a furnace or an air handler. It contains a blower, evaporator coils, and an air filter. The blower circulates air through the home. The evaporator coils absorb heat from the indoor air and transfer it to the refrigerant. The air filter cleans the indoor air as it circulates.

Indoor HVAC unit cost vs outdoor HVAC unit cost

The cost of the indoor and outdoor units will vary depending on the type of system you choose. A split system, which is the most common type of HVAC system, will have a lower cost for the outdoor unit than the indoor unit. This is because the outdoor unit contains the compressor, which is the most expensive component in the system.

The cost of a ductless mini-split system will be higher than a split system because it has both an indoor and outdoor unit. The cost of a heat pump will be higher than a split system because it has both an indoor and outdoor unit.

What is the outside HVAC system called?

The outside unit of an HVAC system is typically called the condenser. The condenser contains the compressor, condenser coils, and a fan. The compressor pumps refrigerant through the system. The condenser coils reject heat from the refrigerant and send it outdoors. The fan helps circulate air over the coils.

Is the HVAC inside or outside?

The HVAC system is typically located outdoors. The outdoor unit contains the compressor, condenser coils, and a fan. The compressor pumps refrigerant through the system. The condenser coils reject heat from the refrigerant and send it outdoors. The fan helps circulate air over the coils.