Central Air Conditioning

Central air conditioning means that the air is cooled by an air handler, flows through supply ducting to the spaces to be cooled, then returns to the air handler through a return duct system.

The air conditioner could be either a split system or a package system, and in large buildings, there may be several different systems, not just one.

A good thing about having several different systems is that the systems for unoccupied parts of the building can be turned off, which reduces total power consumption.

One way you can optimize the efficiency of your central air conditioning is to have a good scheduled maintenance program.

Keep your filters, coils, and blowers as clean as possible.

This will keep the air flow through the system efficient, which helps keep the heat transfer through the system efficient.

That helps the compressor cool at peak efficiency, and will help keep your power bill down.

A carefully selected central air conditioning filter can help reduce the power consumed by the air handler blower motor, which can help cut your power costs even more.

A programmable thermostat is another way to reduce your power bill.

Set the air conditioner to turn off at a certain time in the evening, and then turn on maybe 1/2 hour before opening so the building will start to cool.

This will turn the system off all night, which will lower your power consumption.

Another option is to set the thermostat to maintain a warmer temperature at night and when the building's unoccupied, and then automatically re-set to a cooler temperature 1/2 or 1 hour before the occupants return.

If you're in the process of designing your building, talk to a representative of your favorite air conditioning equipment manufacturer for their recommendations on maximizing your air conditioning system's efficiency.

If your air conditioner has stopped cooling, our Central Air Conditioning Problem page has some tips that can help you find the problem and get your system running again.

Technicians will find more in-depth troubleshooting guidance on our Troubleshooting Central A/C page, and our Central A/C Condenser Problem page focuses on troubleshooting the condensing unit.

If your air conditioning system is freezing up, our page about troubleshooting central a/c icing problems can help you find out why.

A couple of after-market type accessories that have impressed me are hot water heat recovery air conditioning, which can help reduce your power bill, and high intensity Ultra Violet for Air Conditioning, which I've seen clean the stuff that looks like mold, mildew, and algae off of evaporator coils.

I hope this page has helped, and please, feel free to contact us with any specific HVAC questions you might have, including questions about air conditioning on Guam, and refrigeration on Guam.