When summer arrives, a central air conditioning system offers welcome relief from rising outdoor temperatures and humidity. A properly designed and installed HVAC system can provide many years of quiet, economical comfort and also help improve indoor air quality. Homeowners with an air conditioner that is over eight years old may benefit from upgrading to a new energy-efficient model. In fact, replacing a 10 SEER air conditioner installed in the 1990s with a new 13 SEER system can save up to 30 percent on annual cooling costs.

Understanding Air Conditioners

All air conditioners use the same basic technology to cool the indoor air. The refrigeration cycle begins when low-pressure refrigerant enters the compressor and leaves as a high-pressure gas. The gas flows into the condensing coil where the action of the fan dissipates heat and transforms the refrigerant into a high-pressure liquid. The indoor blower pulls warmer indoor air across the evaporator coil, and the heat energy is absorbed by the refrigerant. The resulting cooler air is then pushed back into the living air through the supply duct.

Air conditioning equipment is available in three primary configurations including:

Split Systems

A split system air conditioner has a separate outdoor condensing unit and an indoor furnace or air handler. Copper refrigerant lines connect the two parts of the system. Since the condensing fan and compressor motor are installed outside, split systems are very quiet. Locating the evaporator and air handler indoors provides greater overall efficiency.

Package Units

Primarily installed on rooftops for light commercial and residential applications, package units combine the evaporator coil, blower, condensing coil and the compressor in a single unit. Package units are ideal for installation sites where available space is limited.

Heat Pumps

Available in both split system and package unit varieties, heat pumps are characterized by their ability to provide both heating and cooling from a single unit. Heat pumps include a device called a reversing valve, which changes the direction of the refrigerant flow when the thermostat mode is reset.

Air Conditioning Installation

A professional AC installation always begins with proper system design. This includes running load calculations on the living area and sub-domains to determine the appropriate capacity requirements for the equipment. Poorly designed AC systems may not adequately cool every area of the building, and some rooms may remain hot and humid even while the system is operating. For this reason, contractors who do not run complete ACCA Manual J load calculations should be avoided.

Selecting the right equipment to match the interior load is important, but the installation of a well-designed air distribution system is also a critical component in a fully optimized system. This includes sealing and double strapping all joints and connections to ensure that the integrity of the ductwork is not compromised by unnecessary bends or sagging. An impaired air distribution system can increase friction loss and reduce efficiency.

Affordable AC Repair Service

As a full-service air conditioning contractor, we provide ongoing support long after the AC installation is completed. This includes AC repair and maintenance services designed to keep your equipment operating at peak efficiency for many years to come.

At Davis Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. we understand the frustration associated with a malfunctioning air conditioner, especially when the outdoor temperature is extreme. When a unit breaks down, we quickly dispatch our courteous NATE-certified technicians, who can accurately identify the cause of the failure. Most common parts are stocked in our service vans, and we complete only those AC repairs necessary to restore the unit to full working order.

Air Conditioning Sales and Service

For customers requiring AC repair or AC installation, Davis Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. offers comprehensive services designed to meet any heating and air conditioning challenge.