Choosing or Upgrading Your Central Air Conditioner

Central air conditioners circulate cool air through a system of supply and return ducts. Supply ducts and registers (i.e., openings in the walls, floors, or ceilings covered by grills) carry cooled air from the air conditioner to the home. This is, by far the most common method of air conditioning used in Canada.

To save energy and money, you should try to buy an energy-efficient air conditioner and reduce your central air conditioners energy use. Older air conditioners may consume more than 2000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, causing power plants to emit about 3500 pounds of carbon dioxide and 31 pounds of sulfur dioxide.

If you have an older central air conditioner, you would do well to replace it with a high-efficiency unit. Considering recent changes in refrigerants and air conditioning designs, it is imperative that you replace the entire system.

Today’s best air conditioners use 30%–50% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners made in the mid 1970s. Even if your central air conditioner is only 10 years old, you may save 20%–40% of your cooling energy costs by replacing it with a newer, more efficient model.

When buying a central air conditioner, look for a model with a high efficiency. Central air conditioners are rated according to their seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). SEER indicates the relative amount of energy needed to provide a specific cooling output. Many older systems have SEER ratings of 6 or less. The minimum SEER allowed today is 13.

Look for the ENERGY STAR label for central air conditioners with SEER ratings of 13 or greater, but consider using air conditioning equipment with higher SEER ratings for greater savings.

What to Look For When Buying an Air Conditioner

• A thermal expansion valve and a high-temperature rating (EER) greater than 11.6, for high-efficiency operation when the weather is at its hottest
• A variable speed Gas Furnace or Air Handler can dramatically improve performance. Consider changing it as a system
• A unit that operates quietly
• A fan-only switch, so you can use continuous fan operation
• A Furnace Filter check light to remind you to check the filter after a predetermined number of operating hours

A typical Central Air Conditioner in Ottawa, is also known by the more technical term “split-system Air Conditioner”. This type of Air Conditioner consists of separate indoor and outdoor sections. The indoor heat exchanger, or coil, mounts above the furnace inside the ducting.

The outdoor section contains the compressor and main operational components. The two sections are joined by refrigerant lines which circulate the refrigerant between the indoor coil to the refrigeration components in the outdoor section. The indoor air conditioning coil is cold, which causes the humidity to condense and be drained away while also cooling the air.

We carry several models, to browse our central air conditioners please select the brand.

Lennox is built on a legacy of innovative firsts, from the introduction of the riveted-steel furnace in 1895 to a solar-assisted home comfort system. Today, the legacy continues with exclusive technologies that deliver the ultimate in quiet, consistent heating and cooling.

For more than 50 years, Aire-Flo has delivered economy and reliability to the tens of thousands of families all across the country that have trusted us to help make their homes more comfortable.

The fact that YORK® products are built right has been recognized by many prestigious industry awards. That’s because our innovative design and user friendly features help save energy, ensure sustainability and simplify maintenance.