Heating&Air Conditioning | Bob Fox Services


Home All About Us Our Company Credentials & Licenses Client Testimonials Guarantees Contact Us Commercial Services Services Ductless Systems Air Purification Residential Services Services Cost Calculator Air Conditioning Heating Ductless Systems Air Purification Humidifiers Thermostats Products Sanuvox Air Purification Ductless System Geothermal Heat Pumps Information Cost Calculator Energy Saving Tips Heating & AC Knowledge Importance of Clean Air Glossary Request Services Specials!	Glossary Air Handler Also known as the "indoor unit", the air handler is the evaporator section of your air conditioning system. It circulates and delivers the cooled air. The indoor unit contains the evaporator coil, an indoor fan motor and, sometimes, a heat strip (for supplemental heating). Automatic Setback Thermostat An automatic setback thermostat or programmable thermostat allows you to store six or more separate temperature settings for different times of the day. You can set the thermostat with a daily or weekly program. And you can override the settings at any time without affecting the daily or weekly program. BTU BTU stands for British Thermal Unit: the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. Compressor The compressor is the "engine" which drives the condensing unit. The condensing unit serves as a pump which compresses the gas in the high pressure (condensing) side of the cooling cycle and causes the refrigerant (Freon) to circulate. Condensing Unit Also known as the "outdoor unit", the condensing unit pumps vaporized refrigerant from the air handler (indoor unit), compresses it, liquefies it, and returns it. It contains the compressor coil, an outdoor fan motor, refrigerant control valves, and other necessary controls. Evaporator Found inside the air handler (indoor unit), the evaporator is where refrigerant vaporizes and absorbs heat. Refrigerant Refrigerant is a substance which absorbs heat by changing states (evaporating) from liquid to gas. It releases heat by changing states (condensing) from gas back to liquid. Most people refer to the refrigerant used in cooling systems (R-22) as Freon. But this is actually DuPont's brand name for R-22. The scientific name for R-22 (or Freon) is halogenated chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). Because of its destructive effect on the ozone, the use of R-22 is strictly regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To legally buy and use Freon, an air conditioning technician must own a recovery unit and must be certified EPA certified. Unfortunately, many EPA certified technicians do not always use their recovery units when releasing Freon from a unit. Removing Freon without a recovery unit destroys ozone and is a violation of federal law. You should check carefully with any technician you use about how he handles the refrigerants in your system, since misuse can result in costly fines. Bob Fox Services has an EPA universal certificate and consistently follow all EPA guidelines for the removal and recycling of refrigerant. SEER Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is the efficiency rating for air conditioning units. The higher the SEER rating, the better the energy efficiency. SEER is the ratio of the amount of BTU's used for cooling in normal annual use to the total amount of electrical power (measured in watts) over the same period. (Annual Cooling in BTU's/Total Watt Hours = SEER). Split System A split air conditioning system allows the air handler to be installed in a different location from the condenser. While split systems generally cost more to install than package units, they can save you money in the long run because they are more energy efficient. Another advantage is the reduction of condenser noise. Split systems are also often used where there is a space problem. Ask your Bob Fox Services technician if a split system is right for you. Thermostat A temperature-sensitive switch that controls your heating and cooling systems. When the indoor temperature drops below or rises above the selected temperature setting, the switch moves to the "on" position, and your heater or air conditioner runs to warm or cool. Zoning Systems A zoning system allows the home or business owner to control the environment in an individualized and energy efficient way. The residence or place of business can be divided into 2 or more zones. Through the use of fully modulating dampers, the system can selectively cool or heat certain portions of the building at given periods of the day. With some systems, indoor humidity can likewise be displayed and controlled. A popular alternative to zoning is having two or more units in a larger building. Each unit controls the temperature and humidity in a given portion of the building. Consult with an air conditioning design contractor, such as Bob Fox Services, to determine which of these systems would best meet your needs.