What Is an AC Disconnect?
The Safety Switch Outside Your Home Most homeowners have seen the small gray box mounted on the wall next to their outdoor air conditioning unit. Few people know what it does. This box is called the AC disconnect, and while it doesn’t cool your home or move refrigerant, it’s one of the most important safety […]
What Does a Condenser Fan Motor Do?
Keeping Your Air Conditioner Cool When most homeowners think about their outdoor air conditioner, they notice the large fan spinning on top of the unit. Many assume its only purpose is to blow hot air. While that’s partly true, the condenser fan motor does something much more important—it helps your entire air conditioning system get […]
What Is a Condenser Coil?
How Your Air Conditioner Gets Rid of Heat Most homeowners think their air conditioner creates cold air. In reality, your air conditioner doesn’t create cold—it removes heat from your home. One of the most important parts of that process is the condenser coil. Located inside your outdoor unit, the condenser coil is responsible for releasing […]
What Does an AC Compressor Do?
The Heart of Your Air Conditioning System If you’ve ever heard someone say, “The compressor is bad,” you probably know it’s one of the most expensive repairs an air conditioner can need. But what exactly is a compressor? Many homeowners assume it’s what “makes the cold.” Others think the entire outdoor unit is the compressor. […]
Understanding Your Outdoor AC Unit.
Compressor, Condenser, or Heat Pump? If you’ve ever called for air conditioning service, you’ve probably heard several different names for the large unit that sits outside your home. Some people call it the compressor. Others call it the condenser. You may also hear condensing unit, outside unit, heat pump, or simply the AC unit. So […]
What Is an HVAC Contactor?
(And What Does It Do?) Your air conditioner has several electrical components that work together every time your thermostat calls for cooling. One of the most important is the contactor. Although it’s relatively inexpensive, a failing contactor can prevent your entire air conditioning system from turning on—or in some cases, cause it to keep running […]
How Does an HVAC Capacitor Work?
(And Why Is It So Important?) Most homeowners have never heard of a capacitor—until their air conditioner stops working on the hottest day of the year. Despite its small size, the capacitor is one of the most important electrical components in your HVAC system. Without it, your air conditioner simply can’t start or run properly. […]
SEER vs. SEER2 Explained
What Those Efficiency Ratings Really Mean for Your Home An AC University Homeowner Guide If you’ve started shopping for a new air conditioner, you’ve probably heard terms like 14.3 SEER2, 15.2 SEER2, or maybe even 18 SEER2. For many homeowners, those numbers don’t mean much. Is a 16 SEER2 system twice as efficient as an […]
Florida’s HVAC Warranty Law Explained
What Changed on July 1, 2024—and What It Means for Homeowners An AC University Homeowner Guide If you’ve purchased a new air conditioner in Florida recently, you may have heard someone mention that Florida changed its HVAC warranty laws. Maybe a contractor told you, “You don’t have to register your equipment anymore.” Or perhaps a […]
Do I Need to Replace My Indoor Unit AND My Outdoor Unit?
Why Florida Usually Requires a Matched HVAC System An AC University Homeowner Guide An AC University Homeowner Guide It’s one of the most common questions homeowners ask when replacing an air conditioner. “My outside unit is bad… do I really have to replace the inside unit too?” Or… “My air handler is working fine. Can’t […]