Central Air Conditioners
Central air cools the whole house through your ductwork, with one outdoor unit and a coil at your furnace or air handler. Here’s how it works and what to think about before you buy.
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How central air works
The outdoor condenser and the indoor coil move heat out of your house. Your furnace or air handler’s blower pushes air across the cold coil and back through the ducts. The coil also pulls moisture out of the air, which is why a working AC makes the house feel less sticky.
Options
Central air with a furnace
the most common setup in homes with ductwork. The AC coil sits on the furnace and shares its blower.
Central air with an air handler
for homes without a furnace. We install air handlers and the ductwork central air needs.
Heat pump instead of AC
looks similar outside, but heats as well as cools. Heat Pumps →
No ductwork?
Ductless may fit better. Ductless Mini-Splits →
Sizing matters
Bigger isn’t better. An AC that’s too big cools fast but leaves the house damp; one that’s too small runs all day. We size the system to the house, not just to the old unit’s label.
Keeping central air running well
- Check the filter at the furnace or air handler. A clogged filter cuts airflow and makes the system work harder.
- Give the outdoor unit room Trim shrubs back and keep the coil free of leaves and debris.
- Book a yearly check-up in spring. Our HVAC plans include a yearly tune-up for central air. AC Tune-Ups →
- Call when something changes like weaker airflow, ice on the lines or water near the indoor unit. AC Repair →
Adding central air to a home without it
If your home has ductwork from a furnace, adding central air usually means an outdoor unit, a coil at the furnace and refrigerant lines between them. Homes without ducts can still get central air, because we install air handlers and ductwork. Ductless is the other option, and we’ll go over both.
Replacing or adding central air?
Planning a new heating or cooling system? C&L Fuel Inc. offers free estimates for new equipment installations and replacements.
Central Air Conditioners FAQ
Questions we hear
Should I replace my AC and furnace together?
My house has a boiler. Can I get central air?
What size AC do I need?
Do you install central air in homes without ducts?
Do you service central air you didn’t install?
Can I finance new central air?
Thinking about central air?
