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5 Air Conditioning Terms You Should Know

outdoor-ac-unitsAre you new to the world of air conditioning in Cypress, TX? Whether you had a window unit previously or simply never had a cooling system before now, you are looking to learn a bit about the whole-house system you now have. We are all for learning about HVAC systems because we believe that better-informed individuals are more likely to get better quality services for their systems

So, where to start? You can start here by learning some important terms that you might hear when discussing your air conditioning system. 

5 Air Conditioning Terms To Know

Here are some great terms to familiarize yourself with to understand a bit more about your AC system.

  1. Sizing: When you get a new air conditioner you’ll need to make sure you get it sized properly. This refers to calculating how powerful the system needs to be to cool the space it is for. As an example, a system that is sized for 2.5 tons can cool a space of up to 1,500 square feet. An undersized or oversized unit will create problems for your system and your home comfort.
  2. SEER: Another term you’ll encounter is the SEER rating. SEER stands to the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This refers to how much energy your system has to consume to get its job done over the course of the year. The higher the SEER rating the more efficient the system usually is.
  3. Refrigerant: You may have encountered this one before. Refrigerant is the substance or chemical solution used for the heat transfer process that your AC goes through. Refrigerant is evaporated into a gaseous state, allowing it to absorb heat which it then transports out of your home. Your system comes with enough refrigerant to allow it to do its job through the course of its lifespan unless it springs a leak.
  4. Recharge: If you encounter a refrigerant leak in your air conditioner you’ll need a refrigerant recharge. This is basically the industry term for a “refill.” Just remember that no professional technician should provide a recharge without first looking for the source of the leak that is allowing your refrigerant to escape. The need for a recharge is a sign of a problem.
  5. Indoor Unit vs. Outdoor Unit: Most air conditioning systems come as a split system, meaning they are comprised of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit holds the evaporator coil where heat is absorbed to created cool air. The outdoor unit is home to the condenser coil where the heat in the refrigerant is released as the chemical is returned to a liquid state.

These terms are a great place to start when you are trying to learn more about your air conditioning system and how it works. If you still have questions or concerns though, you can always reach out to the team at Fresh Air, L.P. Our expert technicians can answer any questions you have and work with you to determine if and when your AC system needs help.

Reach out to Fresh Air, L.P. today.

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