Purchasing an air conditioner doesn't happen very often, which is one reason it's such a big decision for homeowners. If you have never installed a new cooling system, it helps to start by learning a few A/C basics. Knowing how an air conditioner works can help you select the system that makes the most sense for your home.
Start with these A/C basics before you buy:
- Compressor/condenser. This is the outdoor unit of your A/C system. As refrigerant flows through this equipment, it is compressed, cooled and transferred to the indoor unit where the resulting cool air is circulated through your home.
- Air handler. The air handler pumps the cooled air through the ductwork and into the rooms in your home. A traditional air handler has only one speed, while a unit with a variable speed motor uses less energy because it can operate at slower speeds.
- Air flow. Measured in cubic feet per minute, the air flow rate indicates how much air moves through your ductwork. The flow rate depends on both the size and layout of your ducts, and your air conditioner's cooling capacity.
- Load calculation. This is one of the most important A/C basics. It's a common mistake for homeowners to assume that their existing air conditioner is properly sized and that the upgrade should simply be to a newer model of the same size. Your air conditioner could have been incorrectly sized when it was installed, or your home's cooling load could have changed since the existing unit was installed. Plus, with higher efficiency, a smaller A/C likely can do the same amount of work as the older, larger unit.
A qualified HVAC contractor can help you further understand these A/C basics and perform a load calculation to ensure that you purchase a properly-sized system to provide efficient cooling and optimal home comfort.
If you live in the Fort Wayne area and are in the market for a new air conditioner, contact the professionals at Hartman Brothers Heating and Air Conditioning early in the decision-making process. We'll help you get on the right track so you can save both time and money.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about A/C basics and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Hartman Brothers services New Haven, IN and the surrounding Fort Wayne area. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!