Air Conditioners

Air conditioners are normally used to create a more comfortable environment for humans and animals, but can also play an important role in keeping heat-producing electronic devices, computer servers, and even artwork at an optimal temperature.

Size of air conditioners range from small refrigerant-based window units, used to cool small rooms, to large rooftop units used to cool entire buildings. Air conditioners typically cool the air using a refrigeration cycle, but sometimes use an evaporative cooling process.

Air conditioners are heat pumps that operate in almost the same way as a refrigerator. Both work using the Second Law of Thermodynamics -- which basically says that heat is transferred from hot objects to colder objects. Air conditioners typically use refrigerants to chill the air. When a liquid refrigerant is converted to a gas it absorbs heat. Air conditioners force these refrigerants to evaporate and condense through a series of coils, cooling the air that passes through them and venting the excess heat to the outdoors.

There are many types of air conditioners used in homes and businesses today. Here are a few of the most common that we work with:

(1) Central Air Conditioners
Central air conditioners are the most common air conditioners in use today because of their ability to cool large homes and businesses efficiently. Central air conditioners use supply and return ducts and registers embedded in the walls and floors of buildings to circulate air. A a result, installing central air conditioners requires a fair degree of planning, because to maximize the efficiency of these air conditioners you must ensure that the proper size and configurations are used throughout the home.

(2) Ductless, Mini-Split Air Conditioners
Ductless, mini-split air conditioners are commonly used in areas of a home that have been retro-fitted or do not have existing duct work. Like central air conditioners, these ductless air conditioners have an outdoor compressor and condenser. But the ductless, mini-split air conditioners can have multiple indoor units all tied to a single outdoor compressor. And each zone has its own separate thermostat, allowing each room’s temperature to be individually set. These air conditioners are perfect for correcting areas of a home that do not heat or cool at the same pace as other areas of the home.

(3) Hybrid Air Conditioners
Just like hybrid cars that are on the market, hybrid air conditioners have the ability to alternate between using gas and electricity to power the heat pump system in these units. Hybrid air conditioners use sensors that allow the system to maximize the efficiency of the unit by automatically switching between fuel sources.

We understand that air conditioners are important investments that can add value and comfort to your home or business. And we want to help you make the choice that’s right for you. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you choose the right air conditioner for your home.