The Homeowner’s Guide to Central Air Conditioning

Did you know that central air conditioners are more efficient than room air conditioners? In addition, they are quiet, easy to operate, and out of the way. To learn more about central air conditioning and the importance of regular air conditioning service in Orlando for a central air conditioner, keep reading.

Types of Central Air Conditioners

You can purchase a central air conditioner as a split-system or a packaged system. In a split-system central air conditioner, the condenser and compressor are contained in an outdoor metal cabinet, while the evaporator is contained in an indoor cabinet. If your home has a furnace, but no air conditioner, get a split-system central air conditioner, which is easy and inexpensive to install. The packaged central air conditioners are contained in one cabinet, which is usually placed on the roof or on a concrete slab next to the home. This eliminates the need for a separate furnace indoors, making it ideal for smaller homes.

Choosing a Central Air Conditioner

Contact a reputable air conditioning company to help you choose a central air conditioner, because the unit will need to be sized perfectly your home. A unit that is too big will fail to remove humidity, while a small unit won’t keep the temperature comfortable in your home. Look for models with an ENERGY STAR label and a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of 13 or greater to ensure high efficiency.

Air Conditioner Installation

Professional installation is essential to having an efficient and long-lasting AC unit. Properly installed AC units must have sufficient space to allow access for cleaning, repairs, and maintenance. There must be enough supply registers to transport cool air and enough return air registers to bring warm indoor air back to the air conditioning unit.

Air Conditioner Maintenance

An AC tune-up is recommended once per year, usually before cooling season, to boost the reliability and efficiency of your air conditioning unit. Regular maintenance also extends the lifespan of a central air conditioner, which should last 15 to 20 years if it is well maintained.