Almost any home can include central air conditioning, if you’re willing to invest in duct work and make design allowances for it. But before you make that decision, schedule an in-home consultation with an HVAC expert like Gross Heating—we can give you a better idea of what would be involved and also explain alternative cooling options, like ductless split systems.

Ideally, you should do it before your current system fails and leaves you rushed to make a replacement decision. Fortunately, there are a few signs that indicate it’s time to start looking at your options: your unit is more than 10 years old, it’s not keeping up with your needs, you notice a big increase in your cost to run it, or it needs regular refrigerant refills. In some cases, a simple repair may be all that’s needed, but if it’s no longer safe or practical to put more money into your AC, we’ll explain that, too, and make recommendations for the most appropriate replacement.

It depends on the size of your home and the type of unit, but systems typically start at $2,750. Check out our promotions for special savings, or consider financing, available with approved credit, if you’re ready for a new AC before your bank account is. Finally, consider installing a new cooling system when you buy a new furnace—by adding both units to your forced air system at the same time, you can save on time and labor.

Many air conditioners can last 15 to 20 years, if maintained properly. You may need a few repairs along the way, but your Gross Heating technician can usually catch and fix small problems during your annual Clean & Check.

A licensed and insured HVAC specialist like those at Gross Heating should be consulted before you add or replace a cooling system. We’ll do a proper calculation that factors in the layout and square footage of your house, average climate, the number and type of windows, insulation, and even the number of people living in the home. Without these considerations, you could end up with a unit that is not big enough, meaning it will likely not keep up with your cooling needs or last as long as expected—or a system that is so big that it constantly cycles on and off and wastes energy.

All air conditioners have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER). The higher that number is, the more efficient your unit is. The current industry minimum for new air conditioners is 13, but state-of-the-art equipment can reach a SEER as high as 21. While the initial cost of the latter may be higher, the lower monthly operating costs will actually save you money over the life of the system.

If you’re interested in keeping your cooling costs down, use the auto setting so the fan only runs when needed to maintain the set temperature. However, if you prefer a more consistent temperature, use the on setting for uninterrupted airflow. This option may also be beneficial if you have allergies or asthma because air will constantly be filtered as it flows through the system.

Here are a few easy ways to minimize your summer energy use and cooling costs: Make sure all air vents are open and unrestricted. Get a programmable thermostat so your AC doesn’t run continually when you’re gone. Do regular maintenance and filter changes. Use ceiling fans so you can turn your thermostat up a few degrees and still feel comfortable.

Your spring cleaning to-do list should include air conditioner maintenance. Regular preventive service can extend the life of your unit, but there’s a certain point when repairing your AC is no longer cost-effective. When this time comes, Gross Heating can walk you through the steps of comparing and choosing the best new system for your home and budget.

Tucked away inside of your central air conditioner’s air handler, the evaporator coil plays a starring role in keeping your home cool and comfortable. Lined with thin aluminum fins, the evaporator coil looks and functions almost like a car’s radiator except that it absorbs heat instead of rejecting it. As cold refrigerant enters the evaporator coil, it also draws latent heat from the air passing through the coil. The capture of this heat energy transforms the refrigerant from a cold mist to a warm vapor. Meanwhile, the air that passes through the evaporator coil loses its warmth and moisture, resulting in the cool, dry air that’s fed throughout your home via the ductwork. Evaporator coils are mostly shielded from dust and debris thanks to the HVAC air filter. Nevertheless, an evaporator coil usually needs a yearly cleaning to prevent cumulative dust and debris buildup from affecting its performance. Given how easy it is to damage the evaporator coil, it’s important that you hire a professional to perform this cleaning for you.

The compressor lies at the heart of your central air conditioner. Without it, keeping your home cool and comfortable would be an impossible task. You can find your central air conditioner’s compressor in the outdoor cabinet alongside the condenser coil. Just as the name implies, the compressor takes in the warm refrigerant vapor and compresses it into a denser form. This process also causes an increase in temperature and pressure, making the refrigerant hotter than before. The pressurized refrigerant is eventually pushed through the condenser coil. HVAC compressors come in a variety of sizes and types according to your central air conditioner’s rated cooling capacity. However, all compressors rely on a steady supply of refrigerant and lubricant to function properly. Refrigerant leaks can lead to compressor damage, which is why you should have your HVAC technician check your central air conditioner for leaks on a regular basis.

There’s not much your central air conditioner can do with refrigerant that’s in liquid form. In its current form, it won’t be able to absorb latent heat as it circulates through the evaporator coil. In order to complete the air conditioning process, the refrigerant needs to be transformed back into a cold mist. This is where the expansion valve comes into play. The expansion valve essentially converts the flow of liquid refrigerant back into vapor form. The liquid refrigerant enters the valve through an extremely narrow orifice designed to meter the amount of refrigerant that passes through. A temperature-sensing bulb helps modulate the refrigerant flow based on temperatures within the suction line. As the liquid refrigerant passes through the orifice, the refrigerant experiences a significant reduction in pressure. The resulting drop in pressure also causes the refrigerant to expand into a mist form. The rapid expansion also throws off a great deal of heat energy, rapidly cooling the refrigerant in the process. The end result is refrigerant that’s returned back to its cold mist form in preparation for its trip through the evaporator coil.

There’s not much your central air conditioner can do with refrigerant that’s in liquid form. In its current form, it won’t be able to absorb latent heat as it circulates through the evaporator coil. In order to complete the air conditioning process, the refrigerant needs to be transformed back into a cold mist. This is where the expansion valve comes into play. The expansion valve essentially converts the flow of liquid refrigerant back into vapor form. The liquid refrigerant enters the valve through an extremely narrow orifice designed to meter the amount of refrigerant that passes through. A temperature-sensing bulb helps modulate the refrigerant flow based on temperatures within the suction line. As the liquid refrigerant passes through the orifice, the refrigerant experiences a significant reduction in pressure. The resulting drop in pressure also causes the refrigerant to expand into a mist form. The rapid expansion also throws off a great deal of heat energy, rapidly cooling the refrigerant in the process. The end result is refrigerant that’s returned back to its cold mist form in preparation for its trip through the evaporator coil.