Cassette units work the same way as wall-hung split system units, with the difference being that cassettes are installed into the ceiling instead of on the wall. The main body of the unit is hidden within the ceiling void with just a very thin facia visible and it thus neatly ‘camouflage’ into the retail or office space. These indoor units have the unique advantage of being able to be placed in the central of a room and blow cool air through two, three, four or around flow different directions. A cassette air conditioner can provide balanced cooling to an entire room or multiple units can be used for larger areas. An important consideration for the installation of ceiling cassettes is that it allows for a more aesthetically pleasing look for air conditioning solutions.
Cassette units are fairly unobtrusive and come in a range of sizes and capacities, so you have a reasonable amount of freedom when choosing where to install one. Generally speaking, cassette units are more appropriate for larger areas though. Because they take up a fairly large amount of space on the ceiling – and because the ceiling is normally composed of beams and joists, you will need to consult an expert installer to figure out exactly where you can safely mount one.
Despite the fact that ceiling cassette ac units are hidden within a suspended ceiling (the space that is above the square tiles that many offices have on the ceilings), they are easy to retrofit and can be installed quickly and with minimal disruption.
The guidelines for installing an outdoor unit for a cassette type air conditioner are the same as those for any other split system air conditioner. Outdoor units should be mounted in stable places where they won’t vibrate, where they have plenty of free space on either side to allow airflow, where they’re easily accessible for maintenance, and where they aren’t likely to be exposed to corrosive substances. Noise should also be considered.
The performance of cassette units is generally comparable to that of other types of systems, although because they’re most commonly installed in commercial or office areas, they tend to be more powerful than wall-mounted systems. Cassette units tend to be more expensive than other systems.
