An A/C is an all electric piece of equipment that is responsible for cooling your home - we all knew that already right? But do you know how it works? If you look at an air conditioner outside, there is no air vent traveling from the A/C to your ductwork. So how does it cool your air?

Don't worry, this is a question an HVAC contractor has to answer often. Homeowners know how to push a button on a thermostat that says "cool", but often not much more.

An air conditioning system is really made up of more than just the A/C unit outside. Inside there is a fan motor and an indoor coil. The indoor coil is copper or aluminum piping that contains a liquid refrigerant called R-410A. When your cooling system is running, the fan motor pulls air from inside the home via the return air duct. This air is then forced through the indoor coil where the cold refrigerant absorbs heat energy from the air, thus cooling it. The heated refrigerant is pumped outside to the air conditioner where it is compressed, and heat energy is dissipated into the air outside. Pretty crazy right?

Read difference between an air conditioner and heat pump if confused between the two. If you talk to an air conditioning contractor who knows what they are doing, they'll stress the importance of the right indoor equipment for your air conditioner, as this plays into overall efficiency quite a bit. The indoor coil must stay clean and mold free, so a UV lamp is a nice option to add to your system. To read more about this, visit our indoor air quality page.

The efficiency of the A/C unit itself is measured in what is called a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER). The higher the SEER number of the unit, the more efficient it is. Top-of-the-line air conditioners have efficiency ratings from 19-26 SEER, but they also cost quite a bit. The lowest SEER rating you can purchase is 13 SEER. The fan motor also plays a big part in not only efficiency, but comfort levels. First understand that the fan motor is actually contained in your gas furnace. Yep, you might not have known that your furnace was used year round! If you heat your home with another means (like a heat pump or radiant system), then the fan motor is contained in an air handler.

Variable speed fan motors in modern equipment provide greater efficiency, air flow comfort, and they are quiet! Gone are the days when you can't hear the TV anymore because the furnace in the closet down the hall is so loud. Variable speed fan motors are also better if you have indoor air quality components installed, as they can moderate continual air flow, thus allowing humidification and purification to do more. As your air conditioning contractor for air handlers or furnaces with these types of fan motors. Did you know that some manufacturers are beginning to embrace solar energy solutions, and packaging it as part of their product offerings? Not only can solar energy be used to power your air conditioner or heat pump, but it can be used for other home needs such as lighting and appliances! Lennox® is leading the way with their SunSource® solution. Ask your air conditioning contractor for further information, or read more on our Lennox® SunSource® page.

For additional information, find a local air conditioning contractor today with our online search tool!

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