How to give your home total season comfort.Understand What You're Buying!
When you take into account today's high costs of utilities and repairs, it quickly becomes clear that shopping for air conditioning demands extra-careful consideration.
This guide can assist you in selecting a central air conditioning system that satisfies your needs for comfort and economy. We're answering some often-asked questions to help you determine which system is the best investment for your home.
How Does Central Air Conditioning Work?
Central air conditioning cleans, circulates, cools and dehumidifies (removes undesirable moisture from) indoor air. A filter cleans the air by trapping dust and other small particles. An air handler (blower unit built into the system) circulates it, while the cooling and dehumidifying are accomplished by a process called refrigeration.
 Refrigeration cools a home by transferring the heat inside a home to the outdoors. All central air conditioners employ two main units in this process. 1. The indoor unit. This unit removes the undesirable indoor warmth and humidity. It includes the filter (A), air handler (B) and evaporator coil (C). The air handler blows filtered air through the evaporator coil. The evaporator coil is kept cold by the circulation of a substance called a refrigerant. Household air that travels across the evaporator coil gives up heat (colder coil absorbs it) and humidity (moisture condenses upon contact with the cold surface of the coil). The cooler, drier air which continues through the air ducts (D) is vented throughout the home to maintain your desired comfort level. Depending on the structure of your home, the ductwork may be above the ceiling or below the floor. 2. The condensing unit. Outdoors, at the condensing unit, an air conditioning system gets rid of the heat that was captured indoors. The same refrigerant that absorbed the heat indoors at low pressure is now pressurized--by the compressor (E)--and circulated through another coil, called the condensing coil (F). Now in the condensing coil, and under high pressure, the refrigerant gives off its heat very quickly, making the coil itself hot. A fan blows outdoor air over this hot coil to bring its temperature down and the heat is passed to the outside air. The refrigerant is returned indoors to the evaporator coil (C), chilled again by depressurization, and the heat transfer process continues. What Do Good Central Air Systems Have In Common? The best ones are efficient, operating on minimal electricity to hold utility bills down. They provide steady, dependable performance year after year when properly maintained. Good systems are quiet, long-lasting and low in service frequency and service cost. How Can I Be Sure My System Is The Right Size For My Home?
Obviously, an air conditioner that's too small won't keep your home sufficiently cool. But what many don't realize is that an oversized system will cycle (turn on and off) more than necessary, wasting expensive energy and possibly putting undue strain on the compressor.
 A good dealer will determine the optimum size for your home by making a careful study of your cooling requirements. He'll examine windows noting dimensions and exposure. He'll consider floor space, existing insulation, and local climate. A good air conditioning dealer even takes into account indoor heat-generating appliances, the direction your home faces and the amount of your home's exterior shaded by trees. He'll specify the cooling capacity of the system in either Btu/h (British thermal units of heat removed per hour) or refrigeration tons (one ton being equal to 12,000 Btu/h). Which Air Conditioners Are Energy Efficient?
Much like automobile manufacturers, today's air conditioner manufacturers are required by law to evaluate and rate their equipment according to its energy efficiency. This rating is known in the industry as a SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the equipment.
Most new homes with central air come equipped with a standard builder's model. However, when replacement becomes necessary, property owners can upgrade their air conditioning by specifying a more energy efficient system.
One of the Rheem Classic XIV® High Efficiency models, for instance, has a SEER of 14.00, among the highest available. It's significantly higher than today's standard models, which carry SEER's of around 10.
 High SEER models generally wear a higher price tag, but they can make up the price difference by reducing operating costs over the long run. Benefits are immediate when you upgrade to high efficiency air conditioning. Utility bills become more manageable. There's less noise. And the value of your home increases. Are Some Air Conditioners Built Better Than Others? Look For Scroll Inside.
The Scroll Compressor is the heart of a condensing unit. On a hot day it works long and hard. Rheem is the only manufacturer to install The Copeland® Compliant Scroll® Compressor in every residential Rheem condensing unit we produce. Compliant Scroll Compressors are recognized by the industry as the leader in reliability, efficiency and quiet operation.
Other features to look for include louvered steel cabinets that protect the coils from damage and expensive repair bills.
 With some condensing units the fan can be another source of bothersome noise. Rheem units have a grille design that minimizes air restriction for quieter fan operation. Ask your dealer if the manufacturer of the brand you're considering charges and tests every unit before it leaves the plant. These extra measures can head off problems later. Finally, check out the terms of the limited warranty. Always remember that high quality brands can afford to put a convincing limited warranty behind their work. Rheem has one of the very best. Extend Your Coverage With A Protection Plus Service Contract. Ask your dealer about the availability in your area of our exclusive Protection PlusTM service contract program. When the manufacturer's limited warranty ends, Protection Plus begins, giving you protection beyond the manufacturer's limited warranty. Will A Heat Pump Cool A Home?
Yes. And heat it too. This remarkable system operates like an air conditioner during warm weather. And when the outside temperature drops, a heat pump will reverse itself and begin warming the home's interior.
 No matter how cold outside air may become, it always contains some heat. The outdoor unit of a heat pump absorbs that heat and transfers it indoors. On winter days of mild or moderate temperatures, this heat transfer process is one of the most efficient means possible for warming a home. And when the outdoor air drops below a "balance point" temperature, the heat pump automatically calls on its supplemental heat source--usually an electric heating element--to produce the heat needed for these colder days. By switching between these two modes of heating the heat pump automatically finds the most economical means of warming your home. And in some climates heat pumps can be very economical. In regions with mild or moderate winters, the heat pump might be the most energy efficient system you could install. Give your electric utility company a call and find out if a heat pump can cut your utility bills all year long. What Should I Look For In A Dealer?
Reliability. Look for a dealer you see in your community. You want one who's close by to provide you faster, more convenient service.
He should offer a recognized name brand. And he should have a well-stocked inventory of replacement parts. You wouldn't want to sit out a mid-summer heat wave waiting for a simple repair!
One way to be sure you'll get good service is to contact a neighborhood Rheem dealer.
Your nearby Rheem dealer is knowledgeable, dependable, and as good as any you'll find in the business. Call him today. Consumer Financing Available.
Now you can enjoy the comfort of convenient monthly payments with the Rheemittance Financial Program. Low monthly payments make it easier for you to purchase a higher efficiency system, which can mean even greater savings on your utility bills. Through participating dealers, the program covers the complete cost of your new system, including installation, with no money down.
Ed's Household Heat & Air, Serving South Mississippi Since 1967
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