What is a central air conditioning system?
The most common central cooling system is a split system, which includes an outdoor cabinet containing a condenser coil and compressor, and an indoor evaporator coil, usually installed in conjunction with your furnace or air handler. The compressor pumps a chemical called refrigerant through the system.

Where can I use central air conditioning units?
You can use central air conditioning units for Residence, any domestic premises, offices, shops, food processing areas, factories, computer rooms and restaurants. In short they can be used pretty much anywhere and everywhere.

When should I go for Central AC?
1. When your area is more than 500 sq.ft.
2. When you have adequate 3 phase power.
3. When you want to create "plush" interiors.

How does a central air conditioning system work?
An air conditioner seems as if it cools your home's air, but it actually makes your home air less warm by removing heat from the indoor air and transferring that heat to the outdoor air.

Heat is extracted from the home by passing indoor air across a refrigerant coil in the indoor unit. Refrigerant lines then carry the heat to the outdoor unit, where it is released into the outside air. The cooling cycle continues until the indoor temperature reaches the thermostat setting.

More specifically, when warm air inside your home blows across the indoor evaporator coil, its heat energy transfers to the refrigerant inside the coil. That transfer, in turn, “cools” the air. The refrigerant is pumped back to the compressor where the cycle begins again. The heat absorbed by the refrigerant is moved outside your home while cooled air is blown inside. Moisture that contributes to humidity is also condensed out of the air.

Your central cooling system is usually combined with your central heating system because they share the same ductwork for distributing conditioned air throughout your home.

What is two-stage cooling?
Two-stage cooling means the air conditioner (or heat pump product) has a compressor with two levels of operation: high for hot summer days and low for milder days. Since the low setting is adequate to meet household cooling demands 80% of the time, a two-stage unit runs for longer periods and produces more even temperatures.

Longer cooling cycles also translate to quieter, more efficient operation and enhanced humidity control. Compared to a single stage unit, a two stage air conditioner (or heat pump) can remove twice as much moisture from the air. This is important because when moisture levels are high, there's a higher potential for mold and other pollutant problems.

Why should I clean Duct?
A maze of heating and air-conditioning ducts runs inside the walls and floors of 80 percent of American homes. As the supply ducts blow air into the rooms, return ducts inhale airborne dust and suck it back into the blower. Add moisture to this mixture and you've got a breeding ground for allergy-inducing molds, mites, and bacteria. Many filters commonly used today can't keep dust and debris from streaming into the air, and over time, sizable accumulations can form — think dust bunnies, but bigger. To find out if your ducts need cleaning, pull off some supply and return registers and take a look. If a new furnace is being installed, you should probably invest in a duct cleaning at the same time, because chances are the new blower will be more powerful than the old one and will stir up a lot of dust.

Professional duct cleaners tout such benefits as cleaner indoor air, longer equipment life, and lower energy costs. Clean Heating & Air Conditioning systems can also perform more efficiently, which may decrease energy costs, and last longer, reducing the need for costly replacement or repairs. Cleaning has little effect on air quality, primarily because most indoor dust drifts in from the outdoors. But it does get rid of the stuff that mold and bacteria grow on, and that means less of it gets airborne, a boon to allergy sufferers.

What is the average life of a central air conditioning system?
It can vary, depending on how much the system is used and how regularly it is checked or serviced. Generally, the average life of cooling units is about 20-25 years, but individual units may vary and last much longer, depending on use and how well they are maintained. Heat pumps have about the same life span, an ARI survey showed average heat pump life to be about 14 years when recommended maintenance procedures were followed. Newer units are expected to last even longer.

What is central heating?
Central heating refers to the process of providing warmth or heat to the interior of a home or building from one point to multiple rooms. In central heating, heat is created through combustion of fossil fuel either in a furnace or boiler and the heat is transferred usually by forced air ductwork, water circulating in pipes or steam fed through pipes. The heat generation generally happens at one place which could be the furnace or mechanical room. Contemporary central heating systems have solar powered sources.

Is central air conditioning better than window units?
This depends largely on individual circumstances for example, how large is the area to be air conditioned, how large is the family, what temperatures are required, how well the house is insulated, where the house is located, etc. Central systems require internal ducting; window units take up valuable window space. In many cases, if more than three large rooms need air conditioning, it is best to consider central air conditioning.

Which is more efficient, a central ducted unit or ductless system?
This depends on a few factors, including house size and layout. Ductless systems tend to be a bit more efficient because they help cut down on the heat loss that can occur along the ducts.

What are the types of central air conditioning units?
The units are sold either as split-system or packaged units. Although both are the ducted types, in the split-system units, the metal cabinet that is installed outside the home has the compressor within the condenser, while an inside cabinet is called an evaporator. A packaged unit contains the evaporator, compressor and condenser all in the same metal cabinet that is installed outside. Packaged units contain heating elements and eliminate the need to have a separate furnace, but are more expensive. Split-systems are the ones most commonly found in residential construction.

What do good central air units have in common?
The best ones are efficient, operating on minimal electricity to hold utility bills down. They provide steady, dependable performance year after year when properly maintained. Good systems are quiet, long-lasting and low in service needs.

Are air conditioners and heat pumps efficiency rated ?
Yes. Central systems are rated by the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). Many older systems now in use have SEERs of 6 or below. By 1994, the average SEER for all units shipped by manufacturers in the U.S. improved to 10.61 for central air conditioners and 10.94 for central heat pumps. The higher the rating, the more efficient the system.

How long should it take for a central unit to lower the temperature by 1 degree?
There are several factors to consider, do you have high humidity, how many people are in the house at the time, is it real hot outside, etc. If it takes 30 minutes to bring the temp down 1 degree that is probably too long. You may have a leak in your system and need to add refrigerant.