So you’re buying a new home or remodeling an old one? Have you thought about installing central air conditioning or a new HVAC system? Let YORK® quality make a difference in your central heating and cooling system! A new home comfort system gives you the latest, energy-saving technology that helps reduce your utility bills. And with proper installation by your YORK® Contractor, you can also enjoy more consistent temperature control and improved indoor air quality. A central heating system – often called a “forced air system” – sends air into your home through ductwork installed above ceilings or in walls. The advantage is that the airstream can be filtered and humidified to make your home more comfortable. Economically, today’s gas furnace technology is so efficient that up to 98% of the fuel in our most efficient furnace is turned into usable heat. A central air conditioning system also distributes air through ductwork to provide cooling, ventilation, heating (if using a heat pump or gas furnace) and humidity control.

Central air conditioners can either be split systems or packaged units. A split system air conditioner comes in two parts: an indoor unit that integrates with an air handler or a furnace, and an outdoor unit with a compressor and condenser coil. When these components are properly matched, the system runs very efficiently. Today's “tight” building construction traps pollutants indoors. window air conditioner repair guideThat's why, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air in "homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air.” ac repair car costMost people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, so the health risks from pollutants inside are often greater than outside! best central ac unit brands

Poor indoor air quality can cause dizziness and headaches and complicate allergies and asthma. Air cleaners and ventilators can introduce fresh outside air without wasting energy. Using central humidifying or dehumidifying equipment can also help improve indoor air quality. When first invented, thermostats merely turned heating and cooling equipment on or off at a certain temperature. Today's thermostats are more intelligent. In addition to basic temperature control, they can be programmed to fit your family’s schedule and communicate with equipment to ensure proper function. Your YORK® Contractor can advise you on a system that will improve the comfort and energy efficiency of your home.Buying a Central Air Conditioner How Central AC Works Central AC Problems & Repairs Central AC Cost & Installation Are multiple room air conditioners causing your electricity bills to skyrocket? Or, perhaps worse, is your house virtually unlivable during summer because of the heat and/or humidity?

Maybe it’s time to consider central air conditioning. Central air conditioning, also called “central air” in the United States and “air-con” in the United Kingdom, is a system that cools more than one room in a house (in most cases, the entire structure). A conventional air-conditioning system blows cooled and/or dehumidified air through ductwork to deliver it throughout the interior spaces. In most cases, it employs an air handler (blower) and ductwork of a forced-air furnace for this cool-air delivery. A home air conditioner is an appliance that will have a huge impact on your quality of life and—depending upon how carefully you select one—your utility bills. Running air conditioning can be expensive, so it pays to do your homework when choosing an AC unit. For example, it’s important to buy a unit that is large enough to cool your home but is not unnecessarily expensive or too large to operate efficiently. Cost, energy efficiency, capacity, and features are all covered in depth in the Central Air Conditioners Buying Guide.

Air conditioners use refrigeration principles to cool the air. As discussed in How a Central Air Conditioner Works, a condenser, compressor, and evaporator work together to do this job. A typical split-system air conditioner has a compressor and condenser located outdoors and an evaporator unit mounted on the air handler or furnace. A package AC system combines all of these components in one outdoor unit. A central air unit draws room air through return-air ductwork, cools, dehumidifies, and filters it, and then blows it back into the rooms through air-supply ductwork. The AC unit is controlled by a thermostat, which turns the unit on and off as needed. If your home has a central air conditioner that is not working properly, it pays to do some troubleshooting on your own before calling a professional to fix the problem. An air conditioner that doesn’t cool very well may just need a little basic maintenance. A unit that doesn’t turn on may just need to have a circuit breaker flipped.

In many cases, the problem is with the thermostat, not the air conditioner. For a complete guide to troubleshooting and repairing air-conditioning problems, see Central Air Conditioner Repairs. Almost all central air conditioners are installed by professionals—the installation is quoted along with the cost of the equipment. Be aware that retrofitting an existing home with central air conditioning may be a difficult and expensive project. Ductwork must run from the air handler to the rooms and must usually be routed through the attic or under the floor. Small, relatively easy installations typically run well over $5,000; the only realistic way to get an idea of cost is to request free estimates from local air-conditioning companies (we suggest you get three bids). If your home or your budget is not suited to this type of installation, buying one or more room air conditioners may be a better solution. For more about room air conditioners, see Air Conditioners (Window & Room).