The Fundamentals of Heating and Air Conditioning

When the outside temperature becomes too hot for most people, they flock indoors where the air is comfort controlled and regulated by an air conditioner. Air conditioning units can be large or small, central or window-based. Air conditioner units that sit outside the home are most common in newer homes and help to cool the entire house.

Air conditioners, or Central Air, use a refrigerant (usually Freon gas) to provide the cooling. They are complex machines that require highly skilled air conditioning contractors or technicians to install and maintain. However, there are some steps you can take to prolong the life of your air conditioning unit.
In order for your air conditioner to work properly, you must make sure the airflow is unrestricted. Make sure there is no debris near the fan portion of the outdoor unit. Also check for ice build up near the pump, as this can be a sign of low Freon or a damaged compressor. Running your air conditioning unit with low Freon levels or with a damaged compressor or pump can cause even more damage. Make sure you call an experienced HVAC contractor to inspect your air conditioner and repair any problems.

Put simply, the air conditioner works like this: A compressor takes the cool Freon gas and squeezes it down until it becomes a hot gas under high pressure. The hot gas runs through the air conditioner unit and a set of coils to condense further into a liquid. As the Freon liquid evaporates into gas, it becomes cold. The cold gas absorbs heat and is pumped throughout the home, and the home is cooled to the desired temperature.
Your air conditioning unit will work best when your home has been properly insulated. In order to keep the cool air inside your home for longer, you should have correct insulation, energy-efficient doors and windows, and proper ventilation. Homes that sit in direct sunlight may have a tougher time regulating the temperature inside, but a well-maintained air conditioning unit can get the job done.

Modern units have been manufactured with efficiency in mind. A lot of energy can be spent on running older air conditioner units, and in the long run, you're better off purchasing a new, energy efficient model. These modern systems can save hundreds of dollars per year on energy bills because they have been engineered to cool your home without consuming a large amount of electricity. When these units are properly maintained and inspected by a professional air conditioning contractor, their lifespan increases and they continue to operate at maximum efficiency.

Talk to a professional HVAC contractor to find out what size air conditioning unit you need for your home. You'll want to make sure you find one that can put out enough cool air effortlessly. One that is too large will constantly be turning on and shutting off, while one that is too small will be running all the time just to keep up with the demand for cool air. An air conditioning professional will be able to determine the size unit you need for you home and your family's comfort.