Cooling Systems Comparison Calculator
Compare Split, Multisplit, heat-pump cooling, VRF and Chiller in seconds. Enter your building profile and receive a live SEER/EER/COP ranking with relative operating costs — free, no sign-up required.
Comparison setup
Facility → operating hours → pick 2+ technologies
Internal heat gain during occupied hours
Share of external wall that is glazed
Wall / roof thermal performance
Technology ranking
LiveRequired cooling capacity
0.0 kW
32,552 BTU/h
Lowest operating cost
Split AC
SEER 16 · EER 12 · Efficiency score 62/100
Ranked by operating cost
Premium adds exact €/year, maintenance, install, 10-year TCO, CO₂ and payback per technology.
How to Use the Cooling Systems Comparison Calculator
How to Use the Cooling Systems Comparison Calculator
- 1
Enter building dimensions
In Step 1 set floor area, ceiling height, occupancy, window-to-wall ratio and insulation level using the sliders. The live sidebar updates the estimated cooling load in real time.
- 2
Set climate zone and operation
In Step 2 pick your region (US, EU, Scandinavia, UAE or custom) — outdoor design temperature and electricity price are pre-filled. Adjust cooling hours per day and days per year to match your usage pattern.
- 3
Select systems to compare
In Step 3 toggle at least two technologies: Split, Multisplit, heat-pump cooling, VRF or Chiller. Each card shows typical SEER/EER/COP ratings so you can see efficiency differences before calculating.
- 4
Review the live cost estimate
The sidebar ranks systems by annual running cost with colour-coded bars. Check the cheapest option and maximum savings between best and worst — all free, no login required.
- 5
Unlock the full cost breakdown
Scroll to results and upgrade to premium for the detailed table: annual kWh, energy and maintenance cost, installation estimate, 10-year TCO, CO₂ emissions, efficiency score and payback period per system.
Pro Tip: Use Ctrl+Enter to calculate quickly, or Ctrl+R to reset the form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Split, Multisplit and VRF?
Split AC: one outdoor unit + one indoor head — ideal for a single room. Multisplit: one outdoor unit feeds several indoor heads — good for apartments. VRF/VRV: variable refrigerant flow to many zones with simultaneous heating/cooling — designed for whole buildings and commercial use. The calculator compares all three by SEER/EER and annual running cost.
Chiller vs VRF — which is more efficient?
Chillers use water as the distribution medium and often reach COP 5–6 at part load, making them efficient for large buildings (>500 kW cooling). VRF systems are more flexible for partial loads in medium buildings and avoid a plant room. For buildings under ~200 kW cooling load, Split or Multisplit is usually more cost-effective. Use this tool to compare TCO over 10 years.
What do SEER, EER and COP mean?
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) measures cooling efficiency over a full season — higher is better (typical range 14–26). EER is efficiency at peak outdoor temperature (BTU/h per watt). COP (Coefficient of Performance) applies to heat pumps and chillers — COP 4 means 4 kW cooling per 1 kW electricity. The calculator uses the most relevant metric per system type.
Why is the detailed comparison behind premium?
Entering building data and selecting systems is free — you immediately see a live ranking, SEER/EER/COP ratings, annual kWh per technology and relative operating-cost bars (% vs the most expensive option). Exact €/year, maintenance, install cost, 10-year TCO, CO₂ and payback require Thermopy Premium.
How accurate is the cooling load estimate?
The load model sums transmission through walls and windows, infiltration, internal gains (occupancy + lighting) and solar gains through glazing, then applies a 15% safety factor. It is a screening-level estimate — accurate enough to compare technologies and annual costs, but not a substitute for a full HVAC design calculation before procurement.
Can a heat pump replace air conditioning?
Yes — reversible heat pumps provide both heating and cooling with a single COP-rated system. In cooling mode they are typically more efficient than standard Split AC (COP 3.5–5 vs SEER 16–20 equivalent). The trade-off is higher installation cost. The calculator shows whether the annual savings justify the premium over a conventional Split system in your climate.
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