Aire Serv® Of Upstate South Carolina

These units are among the most commonly installed systems around. Usually a unit sits outside – this is referred to as a condenser. The condenser has wires and copper tubes that lead inside, usually to the location of the “air handler,” “furnace,” or “heater” (we will call this the “indoor unit” see Heating Systems). An air conditioning evaporator coil is located over, under or beside the indoor unit. This unit normally comes in separate pieces and is custom installed in each application. When used in combination with an air handler, furnace or heater, the blower from the indoor unit drives the flow of indoor air through the system. The unit style gets its name “Split System” from the fact that the unit is split into an indoor and outdoor section.

The air conditioning condenser (outdoor portion) will normally be located on the ground beside the house or on the roof. The indoor unit and coil (air handler, furnace or heater) will normally be located in a basement, crawl space, closet or attic and is connected to a duct system that circulates the air through the home.

Some of the possible components of a “Split” system

 Air Conditioning Condenser - Air Conditioning Condensers are the outside portion of a “ Split” system air conditioner. The Condenser is typically connected via copper tubing to an Evaporator Coil that is located in the Air Handler or in combination with some type of Furnace. An Air Conditioner uses refrigerant (commonly called Freon), circulated through the system using a compressor. The heat from the home is absorbed into the refrigerant and transferred to the outdoor unit. This is why you can hold your hand over an outdoor unit in the summertime and feel it blowing out hot air.

Heat Pump Condenser - Heat Pump Condensers are the outside portion of a “ Split” system Heat Pump. The Condenser is typically connected via copper tubing to an Evaporator Coil that is located in the Air Handler or in combination with some type of Furnace. Heat Pumps work exactly the same way as an Air Conditioner in the summer, but reverse their operation in the winter. As strange as it seems, even down to about zero degrees Fahrenheit outside, a Heat Pump can capture heat from the outdoor air and transfer it via the refrigerant to the indoor conditioned space.

Evaporator Coil - The Evaporator Coil is the indoor portion of an Air Conditioner or Heat Pump system. The Coil usually is not visible, but is placed somewhere in the air stream of a ducting system, usually very close to the furnace or air handler. The Coil is connected to the outdoor unit via copper tubing and normally you can see where these tubes attach to the inside unit or ductwork.

Click to Enlarge

Air Handlers - An Air Handler is the indoor portion of a “Split System” air conditioner when the air conditioner is not using a furnace as its air moving system. The air handler is simply an electric furnace that includes the air conditioning evaporator coil inside. Air handlers might also be referred to as an electric furnace. An air handler or electric furnace usually can be identified by not having a flue pipe (chimney or exhaust) that is used with a gas or oil furnace. Air Handlers that also provide heat from electric coils normally have a large electric circuit feeding them, anywhere from 30 to 120 amps.

See our Home Comfort System Guarantees on professionally installed systems!