Central air conditioning

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Central Air Conditioning Units
Duct Systems, Portable, Window-Mount, and Swamp Coolers
© Kelly Smith

Most homes need some form of air conditioning during the summer season. Central air conditioning units are the most prevalent, but portable or ductless air conditioners are also popular. In hot, dry areas, swamp coolers are used. Not only do they cool the home, they also humidify the air.

The Typical Central Air Conditioner
Central air conditioners are usually built into most conventional homes during initial construction. These are made up of an evaporator coil (situated in the furnace), a condenser unit (on a small slab or cinder blocks outside the home), and the ductwork (the air distribution system).

But some dwellings don't need all this horsepower. There's no sense in investing in a large system for the homeowner or condo dweller who only experiences a short, mild summer. There are some good alternatives for this situation.

Window Air Conditioner Units
Window-mounted units are not easily portable but they do a great job of cooling a single room or living area. When do they come in handy? One example is a small apartment. It's impossible and impractical to install a central unit in this case.

Another case is when remodeling and adding a room. Whether hiring home addition contractors or making it a DIY job, the extra space may overwork the central system. Installing a window unit will keep the thermostat happy.

Portable Air Conditioning Units
Portable air conditioning units provide a lot of bang for the buck. They have the advantage of being able to be moved from one room to the other. This is green environment control since minimum energy is being used to provide a reasonable level of comfort.

These “windowless air conditioners” are also handy for areas where it's impractical to drain the water recovered from the air. These units contain a pan that fills with water. When the pan is close to full, a sensor shuts the unit down to avoid a spill.

When to Use Swamp Coolers
Swamp coolers are just the ticket in hot dry climates. The one thing not to do in these areas is remove more moisture from the air. In fact, swamp coolers have the opposite effect. They add humidity to the air. For this reason, they're also referred to as evaporative coolers.

How do Swamp Coolers Work?
These units are quite simple. They're basically a box with blanket pads, often a cellulose material, hanging inside it. A water pump regulates the water content in the pads. As a fan blows the warmer air through the pads, the water evaporates.

The evaporation cools this air, up to about 20 degrees. It's pushed into the room by the fan. In this manner the home is cooled and humidified.

What to Look for in a New A/C Unit
Although the home's square footage determines the capacity of the air conditioner, the key is the unit's energy efficiency. For central systems, look for the SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating). Window units use the EER rating (Energy Efficiency Rating).

Most units range between a rating of 13 to 16, with 16 being more efficient.

Also, look for the Energy Star label. This is a good indication that the new system will keep your utility bills low.

The copyright of the article Central Air Conditioning Units in Home Interiors is owned by Kelly Smith.