A central air conditioner (AC) is a system built to regulate the flow of cool air in more than one room in homes or offices. This air conditioning system uses supply and return air ducts to deliver the cool air. This article presents to you with reviews on the types of central ACs available on the market.
Humid air can be a bane for most people, especially during warmer days. Supply ducts channelize cooled air from the central air conditioner to the room, and helps in dehumidifying incoming air. As this cooled air is circulated for sometime, it becomes warmer and flows back into the AC through the return ducts. In this way, a central air conditioner continues the process, and keeps rooms cool and dry. A central AC comes in two types; a split system and a packaged unit.
Split System Central AC
A split system is the most commonly used AC for buildings. Here, the air-condenser and the air-compressor are held by an outdoor component; a metal cabinet. These are the heaviest, noisiest and heat-shedding components. And the evaporator is arranged in the form of an A-frame, on an air handling indoor cabinet, that contains a furnace. The main supply duct of the heat pump or the furnace has the evaporator coil installed in it. The coil cools the air passing through it. Some homes may already have installed furnaces. Such homes can go for split system central AC, in case they do not have any AC.
Packaged Central AC
In a packaged unit, all the components i.e, the condenser, the compressor and the evaporator, are placed in a solitary outdoor cabinet. This cabinet is either placed on the roof or on a concrete slab on the ground, beside the building. Small commercial buildings are the common users of this type of AC. Electrical heating coils or natural gas furnace form the parts of a packaged air conditioner. The home or office’s exterior walls or roofs provide the path for the supply and return ducts to be connected to the packaged unit outdoor.
The Best Central AC
Central ACs in the United States are rated by what is known as the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The value of the ratio is obtained by dividing the cooling capacity of an AC by the electrical input required by the appliance to function. The higher the value of the ratio, the more efficient is the AC. The minimal SEER rating of any AC should be 13 (earlier it was 10). And, this standard rating is applicable to appliances manufactured after January 23, 2006. So, any AC that gives a rating of more than 13 is more efficient in its performance, and would utilize less amount of energy thus, greater savings.
Choosing the Right Central AC
Decide for a central air conditioner that is neither too small nor too big; go for the appropriate size. If an AC is too small in size, then it will not suit your need on warmer days. This is because, being very small, it will consume more power than what it needs. And, an AC if too large a unit, will not work as an efficient dehumidifier. Moreover, you will have to shell out a huge sum of money for an AC with a large capacity.
Top Selling Central ACs on the Market
| Name | SEER |
| Carrier Infinity Series Model 24ANA1 | 21 |
| Dave Lennox Signature Collection XC21 | 21 |
| Bryant Evolution Model 180B | 20 |
| Luxaire Acclimate Model Number AL8B | 18 |
| Goodman R-410A Refrigerant – DSXC18 | 18 |
| Heil QuietComfort Model Number DXT+ | 18 |
| Trane High Efficiency XR15 | 17 |
| Coleman Echelon Series Model AC5B | 15 |
| York Affinity Series Model CZE | 15 |
It is always advisable to go for a central air conditioner rather than installing window air conditioners. You can save those extra bucks that would otherwise be spent in operating window ACs. To ensure that the air conditioner is working with the required amount of efficiency that it is supposed to, proper location, insulation, and duct installation are a must. If these factors are well looked after, then you can expect efficient service from your AC, with minimal maintenance. Increase in global warming causes the climate to undergo abnormal or unfavorable changes. Having a central air conditioner at our disposal can make a workplace’s environment comfortable, and hence more productive. This review on central AC is to help you choose the best AC for your office or home. However, it may not be considered as a substitute to the advice and guidance of a qualified professional in this field.