In a recent survey, homeowners said that AC & Heating Connect is a key source of information about air conditioning and heating equipment, second only to friends and family. While most people associate air conditioning with cold, the science behind making your home cooler actually deals with the transfer of heat. When that heat is lost, or removed, the remaining cold air cools your home.  In order to understand this system better, let’s look at the major components. Your central air conditioning system has two key components: the indoor unit, and the outdoor unit. They work in tandem to keep your home comfortable year-round. The indoor unit is typically located in a closet or basement, and is near where your furnace filter is located. The unit consists of a coil box that contains what is called an evaporator.  The evaporator allows for the refrigerant – a cooling fluid inside the coil piping sometimes known by a brand name such as Freon™ – to evaporate and absorb heat.

Once the heat is absorbed from inside your home, it leaves nothing but cool air to be sent back into your home. Just as water absorbs heat from your stove in order to boil (or evaporate) refrigerant absorbs heat from your house. This means that both water and refrigerant turn from liquid to vapor as they absorb heat. The outdoor unit is usually located in the rear or side of your house and it is where the heat from inside your home is dispersed. cost of hvac serviceIt contains the compressor, condenser coil and a fan. how to fix ac unit fan motorThe heat absorbed from your home’s air is transferred to the refrigerant and then pumped to the outdoor unit. hvac units for dummiesAs this heat is absorbed and moved by the refrigerant to the outdoor coil, it passes through the compressor.

The compressor in your air conditioning system has the primary job of moving the refrigerant throughout the system. This is important as we can then keep reusing the refrigerant to cool our house. The refrigerant is compressed to a higher pressure, and moved through the outdoor coil known as the condenser. As the refrigerant passes through the condenser, a fan delivers ambient air across the condenser coil causing it to cool. As the process completes, the heat from inside your house is dispersed to the air outside your house. The refrigerant is then pumped back indoors and the whole process repeats. Did you know that making your home cooler was actually less about increasing cold air and more about removing existing heat? Simple Ways to Extend the Life of Your AC and Heating SystemA traditional home comfort system has two parts: an indoor unit, such as a furnace or air handler, and an outdoor unit. An air conditioner is the outdoor unit that cools air and sends it to the indoor unit to be circulated through your home.

The indoor and outdoor units are designed to work together, and when the air conditioner is properly matched with a furnace or air handler, the result is maximum efficiency and extended system life. The air conditioning part of your "split system" includes a compressor, a fan, condenser coil, evaporator coil and a refrigerant. The system extracts heat from indoor air and transfers it outside, leaving the cooled indoor air to be recirculated. Air conditioning and cooling efficiency is measured using a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). A higher SEER signifies higher energy efficiency. The basic components of an air conditioning system: A Condensing Unit (the outdoor section) A matching indoor Air Handler or Gas Furnace with coil Ductwork to transfer the cooled air throughout the home Q: My air conditioning system isn't cooling very well. Should I replace it? A: You may wish to consider replacing your air conditioning system if it is old, inefficient or in need of repair.

Today's systems are as much as 60% more efficient than those systems manufactured as little as ten years ago. In addition, if not properly maintained, wear and tear on a system can reduce the efficiency of the system. Q: How expensive is central air conditioning? A: Many factors affect the cost of a heating or air conditioning system, including the size of your home, the type and condition of the ductwork installed and accessories you might need such as a thermostat or an electronic air cleaner. PSE&G offers a complete range of systems and accessories available to meet your needs. Q: What should I look for in an air conditioning system? A: First, the unit should be properly sized to provide enough cooling for your home. PSE&G can provide a load calculation for your home if you aren't sure. Next, consider comfort issues in the home. New products can reduce uneven temperatures from room to room. If you have allergies, look for systems that filter your home's air as it circulates.

Finally, know your budget parameters and the efficiency of the system being proposed. Q: How long can I expect a new system to last? A: Industry averages suggest that an air conditioner should last 12-15 years (sea coast applications may be less). Q: What is involved in replacing an old system? A: Aside from the placement of the new equipment, your installer should inspect the other items in your air conditioning system, such as: ductwork, insulation, refrigerant piping, electrical service, wiring, thermostat, condensate piping, flue piping, flue terminations, chimney liner, slabs, filter, driers, registers, grills, drain pans and evaporator coil. Need new central air conditioning? PSE&G will replace your old air conditioning system with quality York and Honeywell products. We offer an easy payment plan, with no money down and monthly payments right on your PSE&G bill. For a free replacement estimate Call 1-800-240-3609 or find out more on our Central Air Conditioning Replacement webpage.

A glossary of air conditioning terms Here are some terms that you might hear when doing research into your air conditioning system: Air Handler - The portion of the system that moves heated or cooled air throughout a home's ductwork. Balance Point - An outdoor temperature, usually between 30° F and 45° F, at which a heat pump's output exactly equals the heating needs of the home. Below the balance point, supplementary electric resistance heat is needed to maintain indoor comfort. Btu - British thermal unit. The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water (about one pint) by one degree F. Evaporator Coil - The portion of a heat pump or central air conditioning system that is located in the home and functions as the heat transfer point for warming or cooling indoor air. Outdoor Coil/Condensing Unit - The portion of a heat pump or central air conditioning system that is located outside the home and functions as a heat transfer point for collecting heat from and dispelling heat to the outside air.