An air cooled condensing unit is an enclosure for one or multiple condenser fans, compressors, coils, piping, and controls. Its purpose is to provide cooling to a building via a central station air handling unit. Condensing units are the outdoor section of a split system (A split system is simply an HVAC air conditioning system in which the air handler and condensing units are separate pieces of equipment) and cools the refrigerant which is circled through its cooling coil.

This topic covers information related to central cooling equipment installed as part of HVAC systems during construction. Central cooling equipment conditions the air by removing heat and moisture through refrigeration and evaporation. Central cooling equipment or an air conditioner is installed in conjunction with a furnace or air handler.

This topic covers information related to water chillers installed during construction. Packaged water chillers cool water or refrigerant for use in cooling a buildings environment and/or equipment. Water chillers can be one of several types; absorption, centrifugal, reciprocating, scroll or rotary-screw.

This topic covers information related to cooling towers installed during construction. Cooling towers remove heat from water or refrigerant and can be one of several types; forced-draft, natural-draft, field-erected or liquid coolers. They work in conjunction with chillers, heat pumps and condensers.