Central air conditioning can provide a fantastic method of cooling your home, but it can be a significant investment. For this reason, you may need additional information to ensure that it is the right choice for you. Our technicians are continually asked questions, so we have compiled a list of the common questions about central air conditioning, so you can have all the details you need to make an informed choice.
What is Central Air Conditioning:
This is a very basic question, so many people feel embarrassed to ask it. There is no need to be shy as many people feel unclear about what is involved in a central air conditioning system. Central air conditioning systems feature a central unit that contains the compressor to cool the air. This cooled air is then forced into a system of ducts to distribute it throughout your property. Blowers are used to push the air around the ductwork, allowing it to pass through a series of grated vents that are located within the walls or ceilings.
How Do You Size a Central System?
The best method to ensure that a central system is the right size for your property is to have an HVAC technician perform an assessment. The technician can evaluate the space and make calculations to determine the best size unit. This will help you to avoid buying an oversized or undersized system. An undersized unit will struggle to effectively cool your property, while an oversized system will short cycle, wasting energy and causing additional wear. A professional technician can help you to eliminate any guess work and purchase the most efficient option.
Why is My Central AC Not Cooling?
Whether you are considering buying or have a central system installed, you may have heard people asking why their system is not cooling. There can be a number of issues that can arise that could compromise the cooling performance of a central air conditioner. A common and simple reason is that the air filters are dirty. If dirt has clogged up the filters, it will restrict airflow, reducing cooling capacity and placing the system under increasing strain. Fortunately, this problem has a quick fix; change or clean the filters. Once a clean filter is in place, the issues should be resolved.
Another common reason for a lack of cooling capacity is that the refrigerant level is incorrect. The refrigerant is a closed system, but if the system has not been installed correctly or there is a leak, it can cause a drop in pressure that can impact performance.
The best way to ensure that your central air conditioning system continues to offer optimum efficiency and performance is to have it inspected regularly by a professional HVAC specialist. Generally, it is advisable to have your system inspected and serviced at least once each year. It is a good idea to schedule this appointment in spring before the system will frequently be used. This will ensure that any underlying issues can be corrected before they can develop into a problem that could cause a system failure.