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If you have a quizzical look on your face whenever someone mentions central air
conditioning, it's time to brush up on your knowledge of condensers and coils.
Start by taking the following quiz developed by the Trane Home Comfort Institute,
a consumer information service on heating and cooling.
Answer true or false to the following statements:
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1. |
Most central air systems are "split" systems. |
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2. |
A ton of air conditioning refers to the weight of the system. |
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3. |
Heat pumps can cool your home. |
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4. |
The higher the "SEER" of a central air conditioner, the cheaper it is to operate. |
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5. |
Price is the most important consideration when choosing a central air system. |
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6. |
The compressor is considered "the heart of the system." |
When it comes to the subject of cooling, you're "hot" if you've given the following
answers:
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1. |
True. A split system means it consists of two parts: an indoor unit or coil that
pulls heat and humidity from inside air, and an outdoor unit or condenser that releases
that heat to the outside air. When the coil and condenser are both housed in the
same unit, the system is called a packaged system. |
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2. |
False. It refers to the capacity of the system. One ton of air conditioning removes
12,000 Btu's of heat energy per hour from a home. Residential units usually range
from 1 to 5 tons. |
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3. |
True. Don't be fooled by their name. Heat pumps do pump heat into your home in winter
like a furnace. However, they also pump heat out of your home in summer like a central
air conditioner. This ability to both heat and cool makes them very economical and
efficient home comfort systems. |
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4. |
True. The SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is an indication of the performance
efficiency of the system. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the unit. The
more efficient the unit, the lower the operating costs. |
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5. |
False. A recent study by the Trane Home Comfort Institute shows that homeowners
rate reliability as the most important attribute to consider when selecting a central
air conditioner. Purchase price ranked fifth on their list after reliability, dependability,
efficiency and overall quality. |
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6. |
True. It is so called because it is the pump that circulates the refrigerant from
the indoor coil to the outdoor condenser and back to the coil again. Because of
its importance, look carefully at a compressor's reputation and warranty when selecting
a central air conditioning system. |
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