Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? We have answers! If you don’t find your answer below, feel free to contact us.
Have questions? We have answers! If you don’t find your answer below, feel free to contact us.
Heat is transferred from the inside of the building to the outside. The warm air is blown, with a fan, over the refrigerant lines coils, in the air handler. The refrigerant absorbs the heat. It passes through copper tubing to the outside condensing unit where a fan blows outside air over the hot coil. This discards the warmth and sends cooler refrigerant back to the air handler in a loop.
There are a few easy checks you can do before calling in a service technician:
Air conditioners built 20 to 30 years ago typically have a life expectancy of 15 years. Today you can get more mileage out of an ac system. However, for a unit to last a long time it needs to be properly maintained. This means changing filters regularly and having it serviced annually. Not only will this help a unit last longer but it will help avoid costly breakdowns in the future. For example, having the coils cleaned on a regular basis will keep them going for years before they need to be replaced, which can be costly.
When your system stops cooling properly there could be a variety of different causes. It could be a minor issue such as an electrical problem like a blown fuse or the refrigerant may be low. When repairs become more major and start to surpass the value of the system then its time to consider purchasing new equipment. Buying a new compressor is a common replacement for older units that are usually less then a new system. However, new air conditioners are most often more efficient - saving you money on your electric bill.
Yes, the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ration (SEER) is a number that rates central air conditioning systems. Most new units have a SEER ratio of at least 10 whereas older units have SEERS of 6 or less.
A higher SEER rating means higher efficiency. This means less energy is required to power the unit, saving the customer money in operating costs.