Air conditioning is essential for indoor comfort in buildings. A study compared the cost effectiveness of unitary and central cooling systems. The researchers analyzed the costs of initial setup, energy usage, and maintenance over the lifespan of both systems. They found that for high cooling needs over 60 kW, the central system is a better choice despite its higher initial cost. The central system has a longer lifespan and can pay back its investment in eight years. It also uses less energy, contributing to energy conservation.