**Abstract**

It became evident nowadays that modernization influences domestic and commercial HVAC industry, and thus high technological and energy-efficient central air conditioning systems are demanded. Therefore, the selection of proper type of central air conditioning system is a crucial target in the construction industry as improper selection can maximize initial and/or running costs of the system and decreases the human comfort and indoor air quality levels. In fact, a pre-assessment of the construction type and budget available is required for selecting the proper type of central air conditioning system. Therefore, there is a continuous need for an updated material in the literature that reviews the central air conditioning systems and applications, which is the motivation of the present chapter. The present chapter reviews the central air conditioning systems and applications. Specifically, all-air systems, all-water systems, and air-water systems are discussed. In addition, all provided systems are further explored through several developed schematic diagrams enabling the identification of their various components and the understanding of their working principles. It is may be of interest to note that this chapter is suitable for undergraduate level students in the fields of HVAC and R, mechanical, and construction engineering.

**Keywords:** central air conditioning, all-air systems, all-water systems, air-water systems, air handling unit
