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How Air Conditioning Units Work
Short Version:
Heat is removed from the air in your home, pumped outside, and given off to the outside air.

Longer Version:
Warm air in your house is sucked into the return vents (the vents that are not adjustable), through the return ductwork system, and is then blown across a coil (the evaporator coil which sits on top of your furnace).
The evaporator coil contains refrigerant (freon) which was pumped into your house from the outdoor air conditioning unit (the condensing unit).
Like a dry sponge absorbing water, the refrigerant absorbs the heat out of the warm air. Once the heat is absorbed out of the air, the now cooled air is blown back through the supply ductwork system into your house through the supply vents (the vents that can be adjusted with the little knobs). The refrigerant, which has just absorbed the heat from your house, is then pumped to the outdoor condensing unit.
The outdoor condensing unit operates in a similar fashion to the evaporator coil in your house. A fan pulls outside air across another set of coils (the condensing coils) where the air absorbs the heat out of the refrigerant. This is similar to wringing out the sponge and giving the water to the outside air.
After this process, in which the refrigerant just gave the heat that was absorbed from your house to the outside air, the refrigerant is rejuvenated and is then sent back to the evaporator coil in your home to absorb more heat.
Another important function of your air conditioner is to dehumidify your house. Just like your mirror is foggy when you get out of the shower, the evaporator coil also grabs the moisture out of the air. This moisture is then taken out of your house via the condensate drain (usually the PVC pipes coming out of the top of your furnace).
Properly sizing your air conditioner is critical to this dehumidification function of your air conditioning. If your air conditioner is too big, it will cool your house down too rapidly and then turn off before it has gotten a chance to pull enough moisture out of your house.

Sizing Your System
Sizing a heating and cooling system for a home is important because a poorly sized HVAC system can lead to an uncomfortable living environment and higher bills for the homeowner, to name a few.
The popular method of calculating heating and cooling loads is to use a licensed Contractor. Remember your home is your biggest investment.
Heat and moisture are removed from the home when warm air from inside the home is blown over the cooled indoor coil. The heat in the air transfers to the coil, thereby "cooling" the air.

Cleaner Air
As your central air conditioning system draws air out of various rooms in the house through return air ducts, the air is pulled through an air filter, which removes airborne particles such as dust and lint.
Sophisticated filters may remove microscopic pollutants, as well. The filtered air is then routed to air supply ductwork that carries it back to rooms.

The Componets

THE CONDENSOR is the unit that sits outside your home and contains the compressor, condensing coil, fan and motor and all the system’s electrical components.

THE EVAPORATOR also known as the A coil - because of it’s A shape, is installed inside your furnace’s duct system. This coil must be properly matched to the outside unit and should always be replaced when you purchase a new cooling system in order to maintain maximum system efficiency and prolong the life of your new air conditioner.

THE LINE SET is the copper tubing that connects the evaporator to the condenser. The black insulation or armaflex on this tubing keeps it from sweating as the cold refrigerant passes through it. The line set can normally be reused as long as it is properly sized, has no leaks and we are using the same type of refrigerant. We will cover the two types of refrigerants in just a moment.

THE BLOWER is provided by your heating system, in other words, your furnace. This is arguably the most important part of your cooling system. Everything your new cooling system is capable of doing is dependant upon proper airflow through the A coil. If your blower is old or dirty it may move too little air and the cooling system will freeze up. Poor airflow will cause your lower level to get very cold and your upper floors to get very warm. This is a very common problem and one reason many customers consider replacing older furnaces when they replace their cooling system - the heat works fine but the airflow is marginal. However, if your furnace blower is in good shape replacing your heating system is not necessary.

HOMEPAGE \| HOW AC UNITS WORK \| HOME AC TIPS \| COUPON \| HELPFUL PICTURES \| CONTACT
How Air Conditioning Units Work Short Version: Heat is removed from the air in your home, pumped outside, and given off to the outside air. Longer Version: Warm air in your house is sucked into the return vents (the vents that are not adjustable), through the return ductwork system, and is then blown across a coil (the evaporator coil which sits on top of your furnace). The evaporator coil contains refrigerant (freon) which was pumped into your house from the outdoor air conditioning unit (the condensing unit). Like a dry sponge absorbing water, the refrigerant absorbs the heat out of the warm air. Once the heat is absorbed out of the air, the now cooled air is blown back through the supply ductwork system into your house through the supply vents (the vents that can be adjusted with the little knobs). The refrigerant, which has just absorbed the heat from your house, is then pumped to the outdoor condensing unit. The outdoor condensing unit operates in a similar fashion to the evaporator coil in your house. A fan pulls outside air across another set of coils (the condensing coils) where the air absorbs the heat out of the refrigerant. This is similar to wringing out the sponge and giving the water to the outside air. After this process, in which the refrigerant just gave the heat that was absorbed from your house to the outside air, the refrigerant is rejuvenated and is then sent back to the evaporator coil in your home to absorb more heat. Another important function of your air conditioner is to dehumidify your house. Just like your mirror is foggy when you get out of the shower, the evaporator coil also grabs the moisture out of the air. This moisture is then taken out of your house via the condensate drain (usually the PVC pipes coming out of the top of your furnace). Properly sizing your air conditioner is critical to this dehumidification function of your air conditioning. If your air conditioner is too big, it will cool your house down too rapidly and then turn off before it has gotten a chance to pull enough moisture out of your house. Sizing Your System Sizing a heating and cooling system for a home is important because a poorly sized HVAC system can lead to an uncomfortable living environment and higher bills for the homeowner, to name a few. The popular method of calculating heating and cooling loads is to use a licensed Contractor. Remember your home is your biggest investment. Heat and moisture are removed from the home when warm air from inside the home is blown over the cooled indoor coil. The heat in the air transfers to the coil, thereby "cooling" the air. Cleaner Air As your central air conditioning system draws air out of various rooms in the house through return air ducts, the air is pulled through an air filter, which removes airborne particles such as dust and lint. Sophisticated filters may remove microscopic pollutants, as well. The filtered air is then routed to air supply ductwork that carries it back to rooms.	The Componets THE CONDENSOR is the unit that sits outside your home and contains the compressor, condensing coil, fan and motor and all the system’s electrical components. THE EVAPORATOR also known as the A coil - because of it’s A shape, is installed inside your furnace’s duct system. This coil must be properly matched to the outside unit and should always be replaced when you purchase a new cooling system in order to maintain maximum system efficiency and prolong the life of your new air conditioner. THE LINE SET is the copper tubing that connects the evaporator to the condenser. The black insulation or armaflex on this tubing keeps it from sweating as the cold refrigerant passes through it. The line set can normally be reused as long as it is properly sized, has no leaks and we are using the same type of refrigerant. We will cover the two types of refrigerants in just a moment. THE BLOWER is provided by your heating system, in other words, your furnace. This is arguably the most important part of your cooling system. Everything your new cooling system is capable of doing is dependant upon proper airflow through the A coil. If your blower is old or dirty it may move too little air and the cooling system will freeze up. Poor airflow will cause your lower level to get very cold and your upper floors to get very warm. This is a very common problem and one reason many customers consider replacing older furnaces when they replace their cooling system - the heat works fine but the airflow is marginal. However, if your furnace blower is in good shape replacing your heating system is not necessary.