Cooling- Air Conditioning

“Split System” Air Conditioners

A traditional home comfort system has two parts: an indoor unit, such as a furnace or air handler, and an outdoor unit. An air conditioner is the outdoor unit that cools air and sends it to the indoor unit for circulation through your home. Indoor and outdoor units are designed to work together. When the air conditioner is properly matched with a furnace or air handler, you get maximum efficiency and longer system life. Air conditioning and cooling efficiency is measured using a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). A higher SEER means higher energy efficiency. The latest standard for SEER is 13-16 (beginning January 2006).

Here’s what makes it cool

A “split system” central air conditioner includes a compressor, fan, condenser coil, evaporator coil and refrigerant. The system removes heat from indoor air and transfers it outside, leaving the cooled indoor air to be recirculated. A central air conditioning system uses electricity as its power source.

The basic components of an air conditioning system are:

– A Condensing Unit (the outdoor section)
– A matching indoor air handler or furnace with coil
– Ductwork to transfer the cooled air throughout the home