subject: The Basics Of Central Air Conditioners [print this page] Rather than a single unit air conditioner that only services one room at a time at a high cost, the purpose of central air conditioners is to move cold air through a home in a supply duct, blow it out a vent into a warm room and then eventually have this warmed air circulate back to the duct where the process begins again. Central air conditioners provide cooled air toa house or workplace efficiently and keep the entire space cool and comfortable with minimum effort.
In southern or coastal states, a dehumidifier is an important part of any home, and this can also be a purpose of central air conditioners. Overall, central air conditioners can accomplish task of dehumidifying, but if the air outside is over 95% humidity and the unit is too small, the humidity may remain unchanged. A separate dehumidifier unit may be worth the time and money for installation and care.
What kinds of central air conditioners are there?
Central air conditioners come in either split systems or packaged systems.
Split systems are best for homes without air conditioners but with furnaces. The main cabinet of a split system is where the a coil is installed. The main sections of a split system are metal cabinets located outside the home thathouse the compressor condenser. The evaporator is housed inside the home, which may also hold the furnace or the heat pump.
Packaged air conditioners are often used in commercial buildings and hospitals. With a packaged air conditioner unit, you must have or pour a concrete slab or roof outside onto which the single metal unit is placed for storage. This unit uses ducts coming through the walls or ceiling to cool the space down, and often the main cabinet also houses the furnace for the home or workplace. This combination of central heat and air reduces the need for separate furnaces for heating and cooling the space. While packaged units are not often used for homes, they may be worth the while of a large home in a particularly hot areas, as they can reduce energy consumption quite a bit.
Improving Central Air Conditioners
Generally speaking, central air conditioners are far more energy efficient than single unit air conditioners. In addition, they are located out of the way, are quiet and very easy to operate and maintain. While central air conditioners can be expensive, if you are looking to cut costs over the long term on your heating and cooling, centrally locating air conditioners and furnaces can make a huge difference to your energy bills.
Central air conditioners provide relief from the hot and humid summer months. While the duct work and installation costs of central air conditioners may be prohibitive, it may be worth the time and money to make such an important investment in your home.
