When selecting an end-of-season air conditioner, learn to speak the language. An understanding of industry terms will help put you at ease when speaking with your technician about this purchase. Replacing your air conditioner now will give you a comfortable start when temperatures rise again. And with a better understanding of A/C terminology, you'll be in a better position to make the best choice and increase return on investment.

Here are some terms you'll need to know:

• Air handler: The indoor component of your air-conditioning unit that sends cooled air through to the duct system of your home
• Compressor: The component of the air conditioner that compresses and pumps refrigerant into the home
• Condenser: The outside component of an air conditioner whose coil helps to transfer heat through the refrigerant that runs through it
• Coils: Both the air handler and condenser house a set of coils, which either absorb or release heat during the cooling process 
• Refrigerant: The chemical used in an A/C that produces a cooling effect, and changes states as it moves through the system's components. You may have heard it referred to as R-22 refrigerant, or Freon, its trade name.
• Damper: A movable plate in the ductwork that directs air to the areas in need. Dampers are found in zoning systems and adjust automatically, but are also used in standard duct systems, which require manual adjustments.
• British thermal unit per hour (Btu/h): A unit of measurement for the cooling output of an A/C
• Energy Star logo: A designation given to air conditioners (and other HVAC equipment) that meet or exceed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines for efficiency, and go beyond the standard minimum efficiency set by the government.
• Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER): A unit's SEER number shows the efficiency of a unit, or how well it converts electricity into cooled air over one cooling season.

When selecting an end-of-season air conditioner, contact Tri-County Heating & Cooling. We serve Butler County and the Greater Cincinnati area neighbors with pride. 

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