Air conditioning systems are crucial to comfort in Southwest Florida, and whether you are installing a new system or having one repaired, it is a good idea to know a few air conditioning basics to simplify the process.<\/p>\n
How an Air Conditioner Works<\/strong><\/p>\n Refrigerant enters the evaporator coil<\/a> indoors as a cool, low-pressure liquid, where it absorbs heat as a fan circulates indoor air over the coil. This boils the refrigerant, turning it into a gas. Exiting the evaporator, the refrigerant enters the compressor, which increases the pressure of the refrigerant, heating it further, and pumps it through the system.<\/p>\n The refrigerant then enters the condenser coil, where it loses heat and cools to a liquid, using a fan that blows outside air over the coils. Finally, the high-pressure, cool liquid flows through an expansion valve, reducing its pressure, and back into the evaporator to repeat the cycle.<\/p>\n Efficiency Rating<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the most important air conditioning basics to learn about is the SEER<\/a> or seasonal energy efficiency ratio. This number indicates how much energy is used by the system over a cooling season, with higher numbers indicating more efficient performance and lower cooling costs. Typical models have a SEER of 13 to 16, while the best have a SEER of 20 or above.<\/p>\n Siz<\/strong>e<\/strong><\/p>\n The cooling capacity of a central air conditioner is typically rated in tons, or the ability of the system to remove 12,000 British thermal units, or BTUs, of heat per hour. A 5-ton system, for example, would remove 60,000 BTUs of heat. Smaller air conditioners, like window units, may be rated in BTUs alone.<\/p>\n Types<\/strong><\/p>\n Central air systems feature a condenser unit, a single evaporator and a system of ducts to deliver air. Ductless systems have an evaporator and air handler in each room, connected to a single condenser, eliminating the ducts and simplifying installation. Heat pumps<\/a> are similar to central air systems, but can be reversed to provide heat, as well.<\/p>\n