Why Install A Central Air Conditioning System?

Central Air Conditioning

It is time to learn more about central cooling and heating system. The environmental temperature varies throughout the year. It gets quite hot during the summer months. The opposite happens in the winter months when the cold environment becomes unbearable. When the temperature goes up or down more than what people can comfortably bear, it becomes necessary to use some device to control the excessive heat and cold. That is where a central heating and air conditioning system comes to the rescue.

 

The central heating and air conditioning systems are now being preferred over traditional window AC units. The reason behind this preference is that central ACs have a single system that cools multiple rooms of the house or building. The air handler of this device helps regulate the air temperature in rooms with the help of air ducts.

 

Another advantage of a central AC system over a window system is that it is a lot quieter because its condenser, which is a noisy part of any AC, is located outside. The air handler part of this unique AC is installed in an attic, so it remains hidden from view. The central air conditioning system does not block the outside view, which the window AC does. One can switch this device from heating to cooling by pushing a button. There are central AC systems that have only heating or cooling functions. This article covers only the combination system with both heating and cooling features.

 

The central AC unit’s air ducts are installed in the ceilings and floors. This ductwork network helps the central air conditioner to send cool or hot air throughout the home. The device has an outdoor condenser unit with a compressor, condenser coil, fan, and electrical components. Its indoor evaporator coil is placed in the air handler or connected to the furnace. The two parts are connected together with refrigeration lines. The temperature in the indoor area is controlled with a thermostat.

 

The window air conditioner still remains popular for many reasons. It works well for rooms measuring about 500 square feet, but it is not that effective during the winter months. You will be forced to use a portable heater even when you have a window air conditioner. It can prove expensive if you have multiple rooms. You will need one window AC and one heater for each room. Your energy bills will be very high. You do not have to spend that much money if you use a central AC system. You will see significant savings when using a central AC and heating system for a large house that has many rooms. Your energy expenses on heating and cooling will come down.

Most homes nowadays are built with a central AC and heating system. If you go to buy a house, you are more likely to find houses with central air conditioning and heating unit. This device has become a standard feature in most homes.

 

Selecting the Central Air Conditioning System

Suppose you are building your house or upgrading your old AC. Now you would want to know from your building contractor what type of central AC system will be right for your building. When choosing this AC device, the first thing you have to consider is Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or SEER rating. This rating is calculated by dividing the air cooling capacity running at a constant level by the electric input needed to run it. The next step is to name it by number.

 

The higher SEER rating of an AC indicates it is more efficient to run. You will save more on your electricity bills when you use an air conditioning system with a higher SEER rating. In the US, most central air conditioners are required to have at least a 13 SEER rating. Window air conditioners do not need this high rating. They are usually rated at SEER 10. This is another reason why a central air conditioning system is better and more efficient compared to a window air conditioner.

 

Another thing you have to determine is the size of the system needed to cool and heat your house. There are several factors that determine what size of AC is perfect for a house. The AC technician assessing these factors for installation of the air conditioner will take into account the type of insulation used in the home. The type of windows and the number of stories the house has, as well as the local power rating, are some other factors used for this calculation. A house measuring 1200 square feet in Arizona off the highway without any trees around it and a clear atmosphere without any clouds will require at least 3 1/2 ton AC.

 

Now suppose you have a house in northern Florida with lots of trees surrounding it. The house has effective insulation inside its drywall. The size is the same 1200 square feet. This house is going to need 2 ton AC. The outside temperature may be the same, but the house insulation is different.

 

Freon is an important aspect of any central air conditioning system. The use of R-22 refrigerants causing ozone depletion has been phased out. All air-conditioners that use these refrigerants have been removed from the market. Only refrigerants that do not damage the ozone layer are being allowed in the air conditioners now. Most ACs now use R-410A refrigerants. How does it affect the old R-22 refrigerants? The production of R-22 was allowed up to the year 2020. After that, all R-22 air conditioners have recycled R-22. All HVAC manufacturers, contractors, and technicians are required to follow these refrigerant laws. Following these regulations allows the ACs to become more eco-friendly.

 

Is it possible to convert R-22 AC into R-410A AC?

It is not possible because R-410A has double the pressure of R-22. The new air conditioning refrigerants do not damage the ozone layer. The components of new AC systems are designed to withstand the pressure of new refrigerants. The old refrigerants cannot handle this much pressure.

Top 10 Air Conditioning Problems And Their Solutions

The last thing you need in these difficult economic times is an unexpected air conditioning repair. While repairs are occasionally necessary for all mechanical systems, many are avoidable. Here are the top ten issues our Philadelphia air conditioning company runs into in the spring, in no particular order, along with the solutions.

  1. Dirty Filter

 

A 1″ disposable filter needs to be changed every month if you have one. You can easily forget to replace it because it’s out of sight and so out of mind. Nevertheless, every year we respond to repair calls where the air conditioner isn’t cooling, and a severely clogged filter is to blame for the problem. In addition to lowering indoor air quality and comfort levels, dirty filters can cause indoor coils to freeze, necessitating expensive repairs.

  1. The Switch Was Off

 

For safety and convenience, certain heating and cooling systems feature wall switches in the indoor unit that could be mistaken for a light switch. Your air conditioner won’t turn on if this is unintentionally turned off or if it is left off when the weather is mild. Prior to phoning us, always check this switch’s condition.

 

  1. Tripped Breaker

 

Tripped breakers are one of the most typical reasons for no-cool calls. Before phoning your contractor, reset it. Perhaps, this will not happen again. If so, give us a call. The breaker is tripping as a result of something. Usually, it’s something straightforward, such as a faulty capacitor, loose wire, or defective breaker. However, if left unattended, certain minor issues could escalate into far more costly fixes.

 

  1. Refrigerant Leaks

 

An air conditioner is a sealed system. Never should refrigerant leak. When it does, unpleasant things occur. You use more electricity as your air conditioner’s efficiency declines. It’s possible that your air conditioner won’t cool. The coil could freeze. The compressor can sustain damage. In addition, refrigerants emit greenhouse gases. To find refrigerant leaks, we utilize a range of tools. The issue is frequently as straightforward as a faulty Schrader valve or a poor connection between the fitting and the refrigerant tubing.

 

  1. Thermostat

 

Changing between the heating and cooling modes on some thermostats is necessary. Your air conditioner won’t turn on if the switch is broken or in the incorrect position. Good digital thermostats are generally reliable. Some of the inexpensive options available from the large boxes might. What goes wrong, then? The switch could malfunction, there could be a voltage spike, etc.

 

  1. Drain Line That’s Clogged

 

Air conditioners reduce the temperature while removing moisture from humid air. The plumbing system in your home is normally used to drain the moisture out. A secondary condensate drain should be combined with a backup drain pan. These lines might develop algae, which would clog them up. Your home can sustain water damage as a result. You can schedule a separate appointment to have the drain lines cleared as needed, or we can handle it as part of our spring air conditioners tune-up.

 

  1. Contactor

 

Your air conditioner’s contactor is an electromechanical switch. The outside unit may constantly operate, which is expensive if the contactor’s silver coating wears off and the contactor becomes stuck. Ants can occasionally be drawn to electricity and squished between contactors, preventing them from shutting. The outer unit won’t operate in this situation. Electrical problems with contactors are also possible. As part of a spring tune-up, we inspect them, clean the contactors’ surfaces as necessary, and suggest a replacement if failure seems likely.

 

  1. Dirty Evaporator Coil

 

The evaporator coil is positioned in your home.The coil must be cleaned periodically to prevent dust and dirt accumulation from limiting the coil’s ability to transfer heat and decreasing system airflow. Clean coils reduce operating costs and decrease indoor comfort. * Must be done by HVAC Expert

 

  1. Dirty Condenser Coil

 

Your air conditioning system’s condenser coil is located outside. The capacity of the system to cool is decreased by an inefficient coil that is clogged or unclean. Making sure that it is always clean will help you save money on electricity and take less of a toll on your air conditioning system.

 

  1. Duct Leaks

 

With a forced air heating and cooling unit, air conditioning costs money. Air is delivered to the various rooms by the ducting. If the ductwork that supplies this air has leaks, such as in the basement, crawl space, or attic, you are paying to cool an area that you do not want to cool and reducing the amount of air that could be cooling the areas you want to cool. Longer run times and increased energy costs result from this. Most homes have inefficient ductwork, which is your air distribution system, which wastes a lot of energy. I will go into more detail about this in future articles.