An air conditioner can change the temperature, humidity or general quality of the air. More specifically, an air conditioner makes your home cooler, by drawing heat energy out of the house and transferring that heat to the outdoors, then replacing the air inside your home with cooler air.
- How It Works
The air conditioner in a central heating and cooling system provides cool air through ductwork inside your home, by providing a process that draws out the warm air inside, removing its heat. In a split system, the compressor condenses and circulates the refrigerant through the outdoor unit, changing it from a gas to a liquid. The liquid is then forced through the indoor evaporator coil or cooling compartment. The indoor unit’s fan circulates the inside air to pass across the evaporator fins. The evaporator’s metal fins exchange the thermal energy with the air around it. There, the refrigerant turns from liquid into vapor, removing any heat from the surrounding air. As the heat is removed from the air, the air is cooled and blown back into the house.
From that point, the condenser or outdoor unit then turns the refrigerant vapor back into a liquid, removing any heat. By the time the fluid leaves the evaporator again, it is a cool, low-pressure gas, eventually returning to the condenser to begin its trip all over again. This process continues again and again until your home reaches the cooling temperature you want, as programmed and sensed by your thermostat setting
Many air conditioning systems can make your home cooler, but few can do the job as efficiently and professionally as Argus Air can. Installing a new system or replacing the old noisy clunker in the backyard? Give us a call we would be happy to hear from you.
Choosing a new cooling system can be confusing and frustrating some terms you may hear or read about are explained below
Air Conditioners have a “SEER” (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) or “EER” (Energy Efficiency Ration) – the higher the number, the more efficient the system. Our energy efficient models start at a 13 SEER rating and our best achieves 20SEER.
- EER vs. SEER
EER – is the cost of operation during steady state period of operation. 80° dry bulb, 67° wet bulb = indoor air, 95° dry bulb, outdoor air
SEER – is the average cost of operation during the entire cooling season. 80° dry bulb, 67° wet bulb = indoor air, 82° dry bulb, outdoor air
Remember that SEER ratings are established in a laboratory, but the real conditions determine how your equipment will perform. Many things affect how cooling equipment meets anticipated performance level:
- Airflow – without proper airflow, the desired temperature change across the evaporator will not occur, therefore not cooling your home properly.
- Charge – improper refrigerant charge can greatly affect the performance of your air conditioner.
- Tight Ducts – Duct leakage can also greatly reduce the performance of your air conditioner. Make sure yours don’t leak.
- Size – equipment that is sized too big will hurt performance of the unit. If it is sized too small, the equipment will not satisfy your cooling needs.
One of these easiest things you can do to keep your system in the best shape is making sure that it is free from dust and debris. If you allow dust, dirt and other particles to collect on the unit, they can easily find their way into the operating pieces and ultimately lead to major issues.
When used for heating, ductless air conditioners can collect ice and snow, which can inhibit their ability to run efficiently. Regularly check the outside of your machinery for accumulation, and if you spot any, gently remove it from the unit. During the winter, you are likely running your unit frequently, and you will want to make sure that it is protected. Leaving this part of the unit covered in ice can quickly lead to expensive issues.
While ductless air conditioners require less space than your average air conditioning system, they do work best if you give them plenty of unobstructed room to operate. To run smoothly, the unit needs to have ample wall space to work. Make sure that you do not have any large furniture or art surrounding it, as these things can encourage the accumulation of dust and can hinder the efficiency of the system. You want to make sure to give the machinery at least four feet of surrounding space in every direction, besides the walls themselves. Avoid placing bookcases or pictures on the wall near the ductless air conditioning unit. Clearing the space will prevent issues later and ensure that your machine is working correctly.