There are many different slang words used to describe components of air conditioning. Below is a list of common slang words and what they mean:
Constant - A constant is a outlet that is always on. It ensures the air thrown out by an air conditioning system has somewhere to go in case someone turns all the other zones off. A constant is commonly located in a hallway or in a kitchen.
Swampy - Swampy, swamp cooler and water cooler are all other names for an evaporative cooler or evaporative air conditioning system. An evaporative air conditioning system looks like a big square box that sits on the roof. It cools through air passing over a sheet of water through the process of evaporation.
Ducted/Ductless - A ducted system simply has ductwork (usually flexible tubes) that pass through your ceiling to deliver the air from the air conditioner. Ductless air conditioning means no ducting, such as using a box unit or a wall split where the air conditioning unit itself throws out the air.
Single Phase Power/Three Phase Power - This simply means what style of power you have to your house. Single phase uses a single cable and will only allow you to use certain air conditioning units. 3 phase power is more robust as it uses 3 cables which allows you to draw more power meaning you can use a bigger air conditioning unit if required.
Compressor - A compressor is basically the outdoor unit of a reverse cycle system. This is what you see outside and is where the gasses are compressed and expanded to cause the cooling or heating.
Fancoil - The fancoil is basically a big box with a fan inside. It sits inside your roof space if you have a ducted reverse cycle air conditioning system and blows the air around your house.
Inverter - An inverter air conditioning system runs like a throttle of a car, slowing down when less air conditioning is required and speeding up when more capacity is required. Inverters are generally cheaper to run and quieter but may cost a little more money to purchase.
If you have any other air conditioning question, please visit our air conditioning faq page.
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