Central Air Conditioners in Mobile

One of the most common types of HVAC systems in the Mobile AL area is the central air conditioner split system.  It is known as a split system because it uses a condensing unit, which is located outside the home, and a gas furnace or air handler placed within the home.  With a packaged unit the heating and cooling components are housed together outside.

What is Split System Central Air Conditioning?

In a split system, the condensing unit is used in the production of air conditioning.  It contains a compressor, a condensing coil and a fan.  A copper lineset connects the condensing unit to the evaporator coil which is located inside your gas furnace.  The compressor pumps refrigerant through the first line, known as the liquid line, into the evaporator coil where it changes from a liquid into a gas.  As it does this, it rapidly absorbs heat from the surrounding air, effectively cooling it.  As the air is cooled, the blower motor in the furnace distributes it throughout your home via the ductwork.  If you have a heat source other than a gas furnace then your split system will use an air handler to distribute the air, which is very similar to a furnace except that it doesn’t produce heat.

The refrigerant carries the heat out of your home through the second copper line, known as the suction line.  It enters the condensing coil where it boils off the heat and returns to a liquid form.  As it sheds heat in the condensing unit, the fan dissipates it into the outdoor air.  The cycle continues and air is cooled and circulated until your home reaches the desired temperature.

Central air conditioner split systems with gas furnaces are quite efficient and still common in our area despite our warm climate.  Needless to say, in most homes the central air conditioner works harder than the furnace. These systems are affordable and easy to maintain.