An air conditioner cools and dehumidifies indoor air by transferring heat from inside a structure to the outdoors.  All central air conditioners employ three pieces of equipment.  The indoor coil is located downstream from the blower and removes heat from the air stream.  The outside condenser expels the heat.  The blower circulates conditioned air through the duct system.

Efficiency  

Air conditioners are rated by SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ration).  For every one SEER increase, electricity usage is reduced roughly 10%.  As a ratio, this percentage decreases as the SEER rating rises above 10 SEER.  Houses built prior to 1992 would normally have a/c's with ratings of 7-8 SEER.  In 1992 the EPA set the minimum allowed at 10 SEER.  In January 2006 that minimum was raised to 13 SEER (making most of today's equipment appear "obsolete").  Today's standard efficiency 13 SEER a/c units use about 23% less electricity than a 10 SEER unit (produced in 1992 - 2005), and about 46% less than a 7 SEER unit (units produced prior to 1992).

Did you know...It is common for manufacturers to take the highest rating number possible for an air conditioner and then use that number in the unit's name(for example, having 15 in the model number does not mean what you are buying will get 15 SEER).  This practice is misleading and is capitalized on by a/c companies.  An air conditioner can be assigned an efficiency rating only after it is determined which indoor coil it will be matched with.  We always let you know what you will be getting. Ask your a/c company to tell you what the engineering specs say, or call us and we'll be glad to look it up.

Click here to schedule the repair or maintenance of your air conditioner

Heating and cooling systems are usually trouble-free and easy to maintain. Efficient operation is a function of good regular maintenance. No matter what type of system you have, there are several things you can do to help keep it in top condition.

The air fliter - located in or next to the furnace - should be replaced regularly. To check the filter, take it out and hold it up to the light. If you see more than a dusting, replace it with a new filter of the same type and size, regardless of the length of time it has been used.  The size of the filter is printed on the edge of the frame. The arrow should point to the furnace which is the direction of the air flow.

Bushes, ivy and other debris around the outside air conditioning should be cut back.  Greenery can greatly reduce capacity and efficiency inhibiting the free flow of air into the unit.   Also, objects within three feet above the unit can cause the hot air that has just been expelled from the unit to recycle back into it.  This condition can greatly reduce efficiency and capacity, as well as hurt the compressor.  Sometimes this state of affairs cannot be avoided, as in the case of a deck built over the unit.  When it comes time to replace the unit this condition can be remedied.

Q  My system does not heat or cool well.  What might be my problem? 

A  Check your air filter, make sure your registers are open, move furniture blocking return and supply air openings, make sure the air conditioner outside is free from bushes, vines and other debris.  Make sure you have sufficient attic insulation.  If you get a lot of afternoon sun coming through your windows try having your windows treated with UV film, planting a tree or installing an awning to block the sun.  Have a service company check the system.

Q  My air conditioner or heater does not come on at all.  The fan does not even move air.  What might be my problem? 

A  Check the breaker box and turn the breaker marked "Furnace" off then on.  If the breaker is tripped this will reset it.  If you have recently changed your filter make sure the switch next to the furnace which turns it off has not been turned off.  If you needed to open the blower door to change the filter make sure the door has been put back properly.

Q  I have a tri-level house with one heating and cooling system.  The temperature varies on each floor. Is there anything I can do?

A  This is a common problem; heat rises and cold air falls.  Moreover, the thermostat is usually located in the heart of the house, usually on the main floor, which does not experience the temperature extremes of the other floors.  As a result, the thermostat satisfies more quickly shutting the system off.  This state deprives the other floors of much needed conditioned air.  To help remedy this problem try leaving the "fan" function on at the thermostat, close the downstairs registers in the summer to push the cool air up and close the top floor registers in the winter to push heat to the lower floors.  Appropriately sizing heating and cooling equipment when it is time to replace can also reduce temperature disparities.

Q  My house is uncomfortably humid in the summer.  What might be my problem?

A  Make sure your air conditioning has a clean air filter.  You might want to have a service company check the refrigerant charge.  An appropriately sized air conditioner can remove a lot of humidity.  You might look into a central dehumidifier which can remove a large amount of water from the air.

Q  Why is my basement musty and cold in the summer? 

A  This might be due to ground source water.  If this is the case call a water abatement expert to assess your basement.  If your basement shares a system with the main floor you might try leaving the fan in the "on" position at the thermostat to continuously introduce the fresher air from the main floor to the stuffy basement.  A whole house dehumidifier can pull a great deal of moisture out of the air.