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
29,929 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, climate zone and system selection is 100% free — you see the estimated cooling load and live cost bars immediately. The full comparison table (annual kWh, maintenance, install cost, 10-year TCO, CO₂ and payback) requires a Thermopy premium licence, shared with Radiator Pro and other professional tools.
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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