Commonly Asked Air Conditioning Questions & Answers

With the heat and humidity we face here in the greater York, SC area, it’s important to not only have a HVAC contractor you can rely on, but to have a properly functioning and effective air conditioning system to keep you and your family cool and comfortable. Here at Pruett’s Heating and Air, we believe it’s important for our customers to have a general understanding of their air conditioning unit so they can get the most out of it. To help our customers, our team of experienced HVAC technicians have answered some of the most commonly asked air conditioning questions we receive. Keep reading below to learn more.
What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?
Many homeowners believe that the bigger their air conditioner, the better. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. There is no one size fits all when it comes to your air conditioning system. If you purchase an AC unit that is too large for your York, SC home, it will cool your home quickly causing your AC unit to short cycle. Short cycling adds unnecessary stress to your AC unit while also increasing your homes energy usage. If your purchase an AC unit that is too small for your home, your air conditioner will constantly run which has the same negative effects of a system too large. It’s best to work with your local HVAC contractor when purchasing a new air conditioner so they can help you find the system that works best in your York, SC home.
Does My AC Unit Need a Repair or Replacement?
Unfortunately, our air conditioning systems don’t last forever and will eventually need
professional repair service and even a full on AC replacement. If you’re unsure what your air conditioner needs in order to restore the comfort in your York, SC home, here are a few things to consider: the age of your air conditioning unit, the cost of the repair needed, the comfort level in your home, how long you plan on staying at your current home, etc. It’s best to consult with your local HVAC contractor for advice on what your current cooling system needs if you’re not sure.
How Does My Cooling System Work?
Finally, we believe it’s important for our customers to understand the basics of how your air conditioning system works. Your AC cools indoor air through a continual cycle of evaporating and liquefying refrigerant. This process involves 4 main components which you’ll want to keep in good shape.
- The evaporator transforms liquid refrigerant into gas. The fan then blows hot air from your home’s interior over the evaporator coil to cool then this cool air is blown back into your home.
- The expansion valve controls the rate of refrigerant flow into the evaporator coil.
- The condenser is the box-like outdoor unit containing your AC compressor, fan, and condenser coil.
- The compressor converts refrigerant from a gas back to liquid form, releasing hot air outside in the process.
If you have more questions about your air conditioning system that you would like answered, give the Pruett’s Heating and Air team a call today! Our team of experts in our York, SC office are always ready to help our customers with any of their HVAC needs.



