Despite the routine thunderstorms, Fort Wayne's summer weather can leave you pretty uncomfortable if you don't have a well maintained cooling system. To make sure you can care for your system and communicate with your technician, take a minute to brush up on your HVAC terms.
SEER — An air conditioner's seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) tells you about its energy efficiency, so its one of the most important HVAC terms to know if you plan to buy new equipment. A higher SEER means a more efficient system. High-efficiency air conditioners can reach SEERs of up to 26. The ideal SEER for you depends on your climate and cooling needs.
Evaporator coil — This component sits indoors on top of or beside your HVAC system's air handler. It's usually shaped like a panel of coils or two panels joined at the top to form an A shape. Cold liquid refrigerant runs through this component as the blower fan moves hot indoor air across it. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the air in order to cool it.
Condenser coil — This is located in your system's outdoor unit. It moves hot refrigerant vapor through a coil to release the heat removed from your home.
Compressor — This component raises the refrigerant's pressure and temperature. Modern systems use the more efficient scroll compressor rather than the older reciprocating compressor.
Refrigerant — This fluid flows through your air conditioner absorbing heat from inside your home and carrying it outdoors to be released into the air. R-22 refrigerant is being phased out in favor of the more environmentally friendly R-410A refrigerant. If your system uses the old refrigerant, consider upgrading to a more modern system to avoid expensive repairs.
Cooling load — This is the amount of heat your air conditioner has to remove from your home to cool it. A high cooling load reduces your air conditioner's efficiency, increasing your energy bills. Your technician might suggest ways to reduce this load, such as air sealing.
For more help understanding essential HVAC terms, contact us at Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning in the Fort Wayne area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC terms and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 260-376-2961.
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