Split Refrigeration vs Monoblock

What Type of Refrigeration System is Right for Your Business?

Do you need a cost-effective, high-capacity refrigeration unit for your cold room or walk in chiller to keep it at the required operating temperature? If so, Chill2GO can install split refrigeration or Monoblock systems for all sizes and types of cold room. Both types of refrigeration units are designed to carry out the same function, but what are the performance differences between split refrigeration systems and Monoblock’s – and how do you decide which cooling method is right for your business? 

What Are Split And Monoblock Refrigeration Systems?

Split refrigeration systems use two cooling units, one located inside and the other on the exterior wall of the cold room. The outside unit houses a compressor, which pumps pressurised refrigerant gas (at ambient temperature) through a condenser coil into the interior unit. Compression forces the gas into a highly pressurised liquid form.

As the refrigerant is channelled into the evaporator/expansion coil housed in the interior unit, the fluid rapidly expands back into gaseous form, accompanied by a significant drop in temperature. The temperature differential within the cold room causes an overall lowering of temperature. The coolant gas is then recirculated back into the condenser coil, where it warms up and is re-pressurised into a liquid, repeating the coolant cycle.

Monoblock’s, on the contrary, use a singular tower configuration that fit through the wall within the cold room. They are self-contained, sealed systems that are ideal for use either in confined (well-ventilated) spaces or as part of a walk-in cold room to optimise storage.

Both Monoblock and Split units can be plumbed into refrigeration loops or installed as a locally unpowered part of a larger refrigerated environment. Both are suited to low-to-medium temperatures.

As far as differences go, split systems generally require less energy input and lower maintenance than Monoblock’s, but are noisier and more expensive to install. Monoblock’s, on the other hand, are more energy efficient and can be more convenient and faster to install. 

What’s the ideal location for each refrigeration unit?

Whether your unit will fit into a cold room wall/floor or free-stand is important to keep in mind.

• Monoblock’s can be used anywhere within internal, free-standing, or external cold rooms, as they are closed systems that aren’t dependent on extensive external fittings.

• Split systems require an exterior wall, so can only be used where this is directly adjacent to the cold room.