Understanding Your HVAC System
If you live in the Northeast, chances are that you rely on your HVAC system
year-round to keep you comfortable. If the temperature is rising or dropping,
you may not have time to worry about the difference between forced and
central air.
Central Air Conditioning
Central air conditioning is simply part of a forced-air system. Air is
cooled as it passes over a series of cooling coils. During this conditioning
process, moisture is pulled out of the air, and the temperature is lowered.
As the temperature drops, the air is forced into the ductwork and routed
through your whole house.
Forced Air Systems
Forced air systems condition or change the air temperature in your home
by cooling or warming it and then pushing it through your home in the
ductwork. Forced air systems pass warm air over the heat source and route
it around your house to warm the whole space efficiently.
Prior to new construction options and indoor electricity, older homes were
generally built without ductwork but may have had a stove in the kitchen
and another in the parlor or living room. These stoves delivered radiant
heat. If you were close to the heat source, you got hot. If not, you were cold.
Forced Air Systems Move Both Types of Air
Both hot and cold air can be moved through a forced-air system. Your furnace
will likely be indoors and your AC unit outside. Some AC units can be mounted on your roof to save ground space in your backyard or to serve as a secondary unit
for the upper floors of your house or a great room.
Pros and Cons of Forced Air
If you already have a fully ducted house, central air conditioning can
keep the whole space nice and fresh. If you don’t use your entire
house all of the time, it’s possible to install ductless air conditioning
to make it easier to cool pockets of your home that get the most use.
Ductless AC is a great way to save on electricity bills, particularly if
you have a large home or live in a very hot or humid part of the country.
As summers in Northern Virginia & Maryland can get brutally hot and
sticky, you may find that ductless AC works well for your home.
Call Our Professionals for HVAC Service Today!
No matter your heating and AC needs, it’s critically important that
you get servicing and purchasing advice from a company you can trust.
Depending on the age of your AC unit, investing in a new unit may not
only keep you more comfortable but also reduce your electrical bills and
even set you up with a tax credit!
Talk with our pros at My Plumber Heating Cooling & Electrical to determine the next best step
to keeping you and your loved ones comfortable and cool. For appointments
and questions, give us a call: (844) 294-8999
