Central air conditioning is a system that provides your home with cool air through a series of ducts that supply and return air. The supply ducts and openings in the walls, floors or ceiling pump cold air into your home from the air conditioner and as the air heats up it is carried back to the air conditioner.
Packaged and split-system air conditioners are two of the main types of central air conditioning systems currently available on the market. In a split-system air conditioner the condenser and compressor are housed outside and the evaporator is installed on the inside of your house.
With a packaged system the compressor, evaporator and condenser are all stored together in a unit that is located on the roof of your house or on an outside concrete slab next to the foundation of your house.
The benefit of a central system is that it is more energy efficient than a normal air conditioning unit, it runs quieter and it is convenient to operate. You can upgrade your existing unit with one of the newer, more efficient units. The units produced today are at least 30 percent more efficient than those produced 35 odd years ago.
When buying a central air conditioner system, it is important to look for the following features:
- Look for a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating indicating the efficiency of your system. The SEER rating should be 13 or higher.
- Make sure that the unit runs at low noise levels.
Installing a central air conditioning system in your house can provide you with a host of benefits. It is important to discuss the various options and available systems with a professional HVAC contractor in your area, before you make a final purchase.
For more information and expert advice about central air conditioning and other issues relating to home comfort, please contact Around The Clock Heating & Air Conditioning Incorporated. We have been serving the Los Angeles area since 1967.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Los Angeles, North Hollywood and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about central air conditioning and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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