Comfort Line - Questions and Answers

How does air conditioning work?

When refrigerant is condensed into a liquid, it gives off heat, when it is vaporized into a gas, it absorbs heat. This is the principle used by central air conditioning to cool your home. Your air conditioner moves vaporized refrigerant through a coil to cool and dehumidify the air inside the house. The moisture that is collected is removed by means of a condensate line. This same refrigerant is then condensed or compressed into a liquid outside the house where heat is transferred from the refrigerant to the outside air. The air conditioning cycle is repeated over and over until the desired amount of heat and humidity are removed from the house.

How is central air conditioning sized?

The proper way to size a central air conditioning system is to measure and compute, on a room by room basis, the rate at which warm air enters the home. This calculation, which is stated in BTU's of cooling load, is known as a heat gain calculation. Central air conditioning systems are rated in terms of "tons" of cooling capacity. One ton equals 12,000 BTU's per hour.

What is the meaning of the S.E.E.R. rating of an air conditioner?

S.E.E.R. stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This rating is determined by dividing the total amount of cooling (measured in BTU's of heat removed) by the total energy used (measured in watts) over an entire heating season. The higher the S.E.E.R. rating, the more efficient the air conditioning unit and the lower the operating costs.

At what temperature should I set my central air conditioner?

One of the most important functions of central air conditioning is to remove excess humidity from the home. Since this process takes time, it is important that the system not be oversized. The proper humidity level in the home is 45% to 50%. At that humidity level, an acceptable comfort range for the human body is 72° to 80° F

What are the disadvantages of oversizing an airconditioning system?

According to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, central air conditioning systems should never be oversized by more than 15%. Nonetheless, oversizing of air conditioning units is common. A recent study by a west coast utility found that 53% of the central air conditioning systems tested were oversized by a ton or more. Oversized air conditioning systems short cycle, waste energy and cost homeowners money. In addition, they do not remove the proper amount of humidity, which can cause the house to feel cold and clammy.

What type of central air conditioning system does Hart & Iliff recommend?

For existing homes, we recommend installing a high velocity central air conditioning system like the Unico System. Unico uses flexible two inch supply ducts that can snake through and around existing construction. Therefore, the system can be installed without the mess and expense of major structural changes, which are often necessary with conventional metal supply and return ducts. The other advantages of the Unico system are as follows:

1. Unico removes 30% more moisture than conventional air conditioning systems. That means more comfort at higher thermostat settings, which translates into lower operating costs.
2. Unico uses the principle of aspiration rather than diffusion. Aspiration gently mixes the air, providing draft-free circulation and eliminating warm and cool layers of air within the room. Therefore, it is more comfortable since the cool air is evenly distributed from floor to ceiling.
3. Unico uses specially designed sound muffling materials that make the system very quiet.

Should I have my central air conditioning system checked annually?

Yes, it is a good idea to have your central air conditioning system checked by a professional on an annual basis. Debris or improper refrigerant levels can increase your electric bill and cause inadequate cooling. Hart & Iliff offers a Seasonal Check-Up and Maintenance Program for your central air conditioning system. Since refrigerant is affected by temperature, it is best to perform these check-ups when the outdoor temperature is above 70°F.