Scroll Compressor | Residential AC, Commercial HVAC | - Hermetic Design (100 psi seal integrity) ▲Advanced: 120 psi (ASTM D3212) - Noise: 43 dBA (Industry: 48 dBA ▲5 dB quieter) - SEER: 14 (Industry avg: 12) | ▲Quieter operation for homes/offices Energy-efficient (▲20% savings vs reciprocating) Long lifespan due to scroll mechanism | Higher upfront cost Limited to specific refrigerants (e.g., R22/R410A) |
Reciprocating (Piston) | Small AC units, Budget Systems | - Open Design (Regular maintenance required) - Noise: 55 dBA (Industry: 50–60 dBA) - SEER: 10 (Industry avg: 10) | Low cost Simpler design for easy repairs | Noisier operation Lower efficiency Shorter lifespan due to piston wear |
Rotary Compressor | Home Mini-Splits, Light Commercial Use | - Compact Size (12" × 12" footprint) - SEER: 12 (Industry avg: 11.5) - Noise: 48 dBA (Industry: 45–50 dBA) | Space-saving design Quiet for residential use | Moderate efficiency gap vs scroll compressors Lower capacity limits |
Screw Compressor | Industrial Cooling, Large Commercial HVAC | - High Capacity (20–100+ tons) - SEER: 13 (Industry avg: 12.5) - Oil-Injected Design (ISO 8573-1:2010 compliance) | Handles extreme loads Oil-injected design for durability | High installation/maintenance costs Requires skilled technicians |
Centrifugal Compressor | Large-Scale HVAC, Data Centers | - High Speed (10,000 RPM+) - SEER: 11 (Industry avg: 10.5) - Low Pressure Drop (ISO 50001 energy standard) | Efficient for high-capacity systems Scalable for large facilities | Sensitive to refrigerant purity High initial investment |
Hermetic vs. Open Design | Mixed (Hermetic: Residential; Open: Industrial) | - Hermetic: 100% sealed (No oil leaks ▲Advanced: 0.01% leak tolerance) - Open: Requires monthly lubrication (ISO 14644-1) | Hermetic: Zero maintenance for 5+ years Open: Customizable oil levels | Hermetic: Non-repairable if damaged Open: Higher long-term maintenance costs |