Resources

How Does Variable Speed Technology Work?

Variable-speed heating and cooling units are very responsive to your home comfort needs because of Inverter technology. This technology enables the unit to change speeds quietly and automatically, much like a car on cruise control. With Inverter technology, the system isn’t always running at maximum speed and only draws energy when it’s needed, allowing you to enjoy greater savings and comfort.

TP better understand Carrier Variable Speed Systems, click here.

What Is the Infinity System?

Introducing the ultimate expression of Carrier® expertise and innovation - Infinity® System includes top-of-the-line heating and cooling products that offer a range of capabilities and patented technologies. Our advanced system control allows you to synchronize your comfort needs, receive energy reports to better maximize savings and more. The Infinity System is smarter, more efficient and more powerful than our non-communicating systems. It redefines comfort as we know it.

What Is Greenspeed Intelligence?

We’ve made our best even better. Greenspeed® intelligence is our unmatched technology that takes into account your complete home comfort. It marries our variable-speed technology with Infinity® intelligence to deliver ultra-precise comfort, enhanced humidity management and superior efficiency. These advanced units are designed to constantly run at very slow and quiet speeds. They constantly adjust to the demands of your home, resulting in lower energy use and reduced temperature swings that translate into enhanced home comfort and monthly energy-cost savings. When paired with our Infinity System Control, Greenspeed intelligence can be found in our Infinity 20 air conditioner, Infinity 20 heat pump and Infinity 98 gas furnace. Experience the comfort and savings like never before with Greenspeed intelligence.

What Is Comfort Heat Technology?

Comfort Heat Technology® is designed to maintain temperature consistency. By matching the needs of the home and running on low stage for a longer period of time, the Infinity® System with Comfort Heat Technology uses the least amount of energy to give you the highest level of performance and comfort.

Comfort Heat Technology reduces temperature swings by up to 50%, runs quietly, keeps airflow more consistent and improves other air-enhancement systems like air purifiers and humidifiers.

Why Is It Important to Control My Humidity Level?

Controlling indoor humidity is very important. In many cases the air inside a home is drier than a desert. Dry, indoor air is often the culprit for such common problems as itchy or cracked skin, eye irritation, dry nasal passages, and damaged home furnishings. Dry indoor air can also increase the possibility of catching cold and flu viruses and can reduce the efficiency and effectiveness of the heating system.

To learn how to improve home comfort with humidifiers and air purifiers, click here.

Who Invented Air Conditioning?

On July 17th, 1902, Willis Carrier invented the first modern air conditioning system. Carrier’s invention helped give rise to numerous industries that continue to power our economy today. In the early years, air conditioning helped boost manufacturing of everything from baked goods to wartime supplies. It led directly to summer movie blockbusters as people flocked to cooled theaters to escape the heat. Precise control of temperature and humidity has even enabled the development of indoor shopping malls, transatlantic flight and the computers and servers that power the internet. Today’s “modern” cooling systems still operate on the same basic principles, providing comfortably chilled air to people inside. So, how do air conditioners work?

Click here to learn about the History of Carrier: Carrier Discovery World History

What Is Central Air?

A typical air conditioning system, often referred to as “central air” or “split-system air conditioning”, normally includes the following:

A thermostat that controls system operation

An outdoor unit that houses a fan, condenser coil and compressor

An indoor unit (typically either a furnace or fan coil) that houses the evaporator coil and fan to circulate the cooled air

Copper tubing that allows refrigerant to flow between the indoor and outdoor units

An expansion valve the regulates the amount of refrigerant going into the evaporator coil

Ductwork that allows air to circulate from the indoor unit out to the various living spaces and back to the indoor unit

How Do Air Conditioners Work?

Air conditioners come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they all operate on the same basic premise. An air conditioner provides cold air inside your home or enclosed space by actually removing heat and humidity from the indoor air. It returns the cooled air to the indoor space, and transfers the unwanted heat and humidity outside. A standard air conditioner or cooling system uses a specialized chemical called refrigerant, and has three main mechanical components: a compressor, a condenser coil and an evaporator coil. These components work together to quickly convert the refrigerant from gas to liquid and back again. The compressor raises the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant gas and sends it to the condenser coil where it is converted to a liquid. Then the refrigerant travels back indoors and enters the evaporator coil. Here the liquid refrigerant evaporates, and cools the indoor coil. A fan blows indoor air across the cold evaporator coil where the heat inside the home is absorbed into the refrigerant. The cooled air is then circulated throughout the home while the heated evaporated gas is sent back outside to the compressor. The heat is then released into the outdoor air as the refrigerant returns to a liquid state. This cycle continues until your home has reached the desired temperature.

How Are Air Conditioners Rated?

Air conditioners are typically rated two ways: cooling capacity and energy efficiency. When you ask the question, “what size AC unit do I need?” you’ll be interested in cooling capacity as measured in BTUh or tons. To compare energy efficiency between different AC units, you’ll usually look for the SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which is kind of like the air conditioner version of miles per gallon for a car.

What Is SEER Rating?

Air conditioners use SEER ratings to indicate energy efficiency. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and is used to help consumers make informed choices about the systems they choose for their homes. By definition, SEER ratings are the total amount of cooling provided during the entire cooling season divided by the total electrical input during the cooling season. Much like MPG (Miles Per Gallon) for a car, the higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient the system. Bear in mind, two AC units with the same cooling capacity could have very different SEER ratings. For example, when looking at two different 3-ton air conditioner models, one might be rated at 13 SEER, and the other might be a much more efficient 19 SEER unit. Higher efficiency units may receive special certification called ENERGY STAR®, a Department of Energy program that recognizes consumer products for their energy saving capabilities. If an AC unit has earned an ENERGY STAR® certification, it has a higher SEER rating and uses at least 8% less energy than conventional models.

What Is Cooling Capacity?

Cooling capacity offers a concrete measure to help determine whether a particular air conditioner is an appropriate fit for your space. An air conditioner’s cooling capacity is expressed in BTUh (British Thermal Units per Hour) or tons (often referred to as “tonnage”). Both offer a measurement of an air conditioner’s cooling ability over an hour’s time. One ton of cooling capacity is equal to 12,000 BTUh. Residential air conditioners usually range from 1.5 to 5 tons (or, 18,000 – 60,000 BTUh). Anything with larger cooling capacity would be considered light commercial. Tonnage ratings are typically expressed in increments of .5 tons, so residential air conditioners are usually rated as 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5 or 5 ton units. It should be noted that there is a distinct difference between BTU and BTUh. BTU, or British Thermal Units, is actually a measurement for the amount of heat needed to raise one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. BTUh represents a measure of how much heat in BTUs an air conditioner can remove from your home over an hour’s time.

What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?

Home air conditioning systems are available in three main categories: traditional split-system AC units, packaged air conditioners and ductless systems. Each of these operates by the same basic process to lower the temperature and dehumidify the air in our homes. They all require an evaporator coil, a condenser coil, a compressor and refrigerant to essentially pull heat and humidity out of the home while returning cooler air to your living spaces. Regardless of which type of system works best for your home, correctly sizing it will provide the best results in comfort, performance and energy-efficiency. For most people, determining the proper size will be best handled by a professional HVAC contractor. An HVAC contractor will understand the variables involved and be able to perform the cooling load calculations necessary for proper AC system sizing. However, understanding some of the principles behind cooling system sizing and the reasons why it’s so important will be helpful when considering a new system for your home. For example, when it comes to the size of your home air conditioner, bigger is not necessarily better. Equipping your space with a larger system with too many tons of cooling capacity not only uses more energy than necessary, but an oversized air conditioner could also cycle on and off too quickly without adequately removing humidity from the air, leaving you feeling cool but damp. Conversely, an air conditioner that’s too small for your space will work overtime trying to cool the space, consuming more energy without fully doing the job. A properly sized air conditioner matched to the unique needs of your home will not only keep you comfortable, it can also help you save on your energy bills. Because there is no simple answer to the question, “What size air conditioner do I need?” and because it is so important to your comfort and energy consumption, we always recommend getting a professional assessment of your property. Let our in-home comfort advisor account for all of the factors involved and determine the optimal AC unit size for your home.

Why Is It Important to Clean AC Coils?

Due to the tight spacing between the coil fins, surface moisture from the cooling process, and the amount of air that flows across them, dirt, dust, debris and other pollutants can build up on the coil surfaces. Over time, this buildup reduces the system’s ability to transfer heat into and out of the home, thus reducing your system’s ability to provide summer cooling. In more extreme cases, dirty coils can also hinder or block the airflow that is so important to the entire process. This can result in having a less comfortable home and rising utility bills due to the lost energy efficiency. Even worse, dirty coils make the system work harder than intended and can result in shorter system life and potentially expensive repair bills. In short, the cleaner the air conditioning coil, the more efficient the system will operate. Dirty coils can lead to:

Increased operating temperatures - Excess buildup of dirt and debris can cause undue stress on the system, causing fans and compressors to work harder and at increased operating temperatures to achieve the desired indoor comfort.

Reduced comfort - Your air conditioning system helps remove unwanted and uncomfortable humidity from your home as a natural part of the cooling process. Dirty coils can reduce overall system effectiveness, causing higher humidity inside and less overall comfort.

Troubleshooting for Air Conditioner

You can always rely on Zed-Air Heating and Air Conditioning for solutions to any problems you may have with your system, but here are a few tips to try before turning to the experts.

If your system isn’t running, check to make sure your control or thermostat is set in cooling mode. Make sure the temperature is set cooler than the current indoor temperature. If it isn’t, your system won’t know to provide cooling.
Make sure your outdoor condensing unit is running. If it is not running, make sure the breakers in your home’s breaker box or electrical panel are in the ON position.
Check the main power switch for your outdoor unit, usually found within a few feet of the unit in a box mounted to the exterior of the house. Make sure it’s in the ON position.
Ensure that the blower motor in your furnace or fan coil is running. If the system is set for cooling, the blower motor should be running. If not, check to make sure your indoor unit switch is in the ON position.

If Your System Isn’t Cooling Enough

Check the filter for buildup. If you have one-inch-thick furnace filters, a once-a-month change is recommended. Two-inch-thick filters – and other high-capacity pleated filters – usually only need to be changed every other month, depending on the type. If you don’t change it, the filter will eventually block the proper airflow and cause your outdoor air conditioner unit to shut down.

Check all return air grilles to make sure they are not blocked. Return air grilles are larger and are located on a wall or the ceiling in newer homes. Older homes frequently have return air grilles on the floor.
Check all supply registers to make sure they are open and blowing air.
If you still don’t feel the flow of cool air or your system is under-delivering, it’s time to contact Zed-Air Heating and Air Conditioning.

Know When to Call a Professional

Some signs that it’s time to make the call might include:

Your system is struggling to keep up and seems to be turning itself on and off frequently.

Your indoor summer humidity levels seem unusually high.

You hear your indoor-unit fan coming on, but the air from the registers isn’t cool or the fan is turning on and off more frequently than usual. Note: If your system control has a “Constant ON” feature, you will not always feel warmth, even though air may be blowing.

Troubleshooting for Furnace

If your system isn’t running, check to make sure your control or thermostat is set in the HEAT position. (You’d be surprised; often that’s the problem.) Make sure the temperature is set warmer than the current indoor temperature. If it isn’t, your system won’t know to provide heating.

Ensure your furnace’s power is on. Try turning the fan to ON using the fan switch on the control or thermostat to test for power to the furnace. 

Check the circuit breakers in your home’s circuit breaker box (electrical panel) to make sure they’re in the ON position.

Check the furnace power switch to be sure it’s in the ON position (it looks like a light switch on a gray box located at the furnace).

System Not Heating Enough

Check the filter for buildup. If you have one-inch-thick furnace filters, a once-a-month change is recommended. Two-inch-thick filters – and other high-capacity pleated filters – usually only need to be changed every other month or less, depending on the type. If you don’t change it, the filter will block the proper airflow and strain your furnace.

Check all return air grilles to make sure they are not blocked. Return air grilles are larger and are located on a wall or the ceiling in newer homes. Older homes frequently have return air grilles on the floor.

Check all supply registers to make sure they are open and blowing air.

If you still don’t feel that wonderful rush of warmth throughout your home, it’s time to contact your local Carrier expert Zed-Air Heating and Air Conditioning for service.

Know When to Call a Professional

Some signs that it’s time to make the call might include:

Your system is struggling to keep up and seems to be turning itself on and off frequently.

Your indoor summer humidity levels seem unusually high.

You hear your indoor-unit fan coming on, but the air from the registers isn’t cool or the fan is turning on and off more frequently than usual. Note: If your system control has a “Constant ON” feature, you will not always feel warmth, even though air may be blowing.

If you are experiencing any of the above issues, a trained technician at Zed-Air Heating and Air Conditioning can further evaluate your heating system during their furnace maintenance visit.

SEER

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) indicates the cooling efficiency of air conditioner and heat pump systems. The higher the SEER number, the greater the efficiency and the greater the energy savings. All new products have a 13.0 SEER rating or better. At Carrier, we offer air conditioner and heat pump systems that can achieve SEER ratings of over 20.

AFUE

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) tells you how much of the fuel consumed by your furnace is used to heat your home and how much is wasted. The higher the AFUE number, the greater the efficiency. For example, a 90% rating means that 90% of the heat a furnace creates is used directly by the home while 10% is lost (usually through venting).

HSPF

Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) measures the heating efficiency of heat pumps. The higher the number, the greater the efficiency and the greater the cost savings. Today’s heat pumps must have a minimum rating of 7.7 HSPF.

EER

Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) measures cooling efficiency and is calculated by dividing a product’s BTU output by the watts of power it uses. Generally, higher is better. Noticing a trend here? There’s a lot to know when it comes to heating and cooling and with all the abbreviations and acronyms, the alphabet soup can seem too much to swallow. We hope this glossary of terms makes it all a bit easier to digest.

AFUE

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. Indicated as a percentage, your furnace's AFUE tells you how much energy is being converted to heat. For example, an AFUE of 90 means that 90% of the fuel is being used to warm your home, while the other 10% escapes as exhaust with the combustion gases. The higher the AFUE, the higher the efficiency of your furnace.

Advanced Reciprocating Compressor

Type of compressor that uses a more efficient process for compressing refrigerant for better cooling efficiency.

Air Handler

The portion of your air conditioner or heating system that forces air through your home's ductwork.

Air Purifier

Air purifiers treat 100% of the air flowing through your HVAC system before it even circulates, removing particulates, bacteria and viruses from the air.

BTU

British Thermal Unit - used for both heating and cooling, BTU is a measure of the heat given off when fuel is combusted. Or for cooling, it's a measure of heat extracted from your home. (One BTU is approximately equal to the heat given off by a wooden kitchen match.)

BTUH

A British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the unit of heat required to raise 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. BTUH is British Thermal Units per Hour.

Beckett Burner

A burner assembly within your oil furnace, providing combustion for heating oil.

CFM

Cubic Feet per Minute. A measurement of airflow that indicates how many cubic feet of air pass by a stationary point in one minute. The higher the number, the more air is being forced through the system.

Capacity

It is the ability of a heating or cooling system to heat or cool a given amount of space. For heating, this is usually expressed in BTUs. For cooling, it is usually given in tons.

Carbon Monoxide

A colorless, odorless, highly poisonous gas produced when carbon-based fuels, such as natural gas, burn without sufficient air.

Carbon Monoxide Alarm

A device that reads and detects levels of carbon monoxide in your home. When unsafe levels of CO are present, a loud, high-pitched alarm will sound to alert you.

Check-Flo-Rater

The patented Check-Flo-Rater metering device accurately controls refrigerant flow to ensure precise system operation, efficiency and performance.

Compressor

Part of the heat pump or air conditioner unit that controls the pressure applied to the refrigerant, necessary for taking in heat to warm your home or getting rid of heat to keep your home cool.

Condenser Oil

It is a part of the outdoor portion of a split-system air conditioner or heat pump. By converting refrigerant that is in a gas form back to a liquid, the coil sends heat carried by the refrigerant to the outside. It is also referred to as an outdoor coil.

Continuous Fan Switch

A feature on an oil furnace allowing the furnace’s fan to blow continuously to improve system efficiency and maintain even temperatures.

Control System

Thermostat, Infinity® Touch Control device used by homeowner to set temperature and other settings.

DB

Decibels (dB) are a unit measuring the intensity of noise.

Damper

A type of "valve" used in ductwork that opens or closes to control airflow. It is used in zoning to control the amount of warm or cool air entering certain areas of your home.

Dehumidifier

A device that can be added to your heating and cooling system that works to draw excess moisture out of indoor air.

Downflow

A type of furnace that takes cool air from the top and blows warm air to the bottom – common where your furnace must be located in a second-floor closet or utility area.

Ductwork

Hollow pipes are used to transfer air from the air handler to the air vents throughout your home. Ductwork is one of the most important components of a home heating and cooling system.

EER

Energy Efficiency Ratings (EER) measure the efficiency with which a product uses energy to function. It is calculated by dividing a product's BTU output by its wattage.

Electronic Air Cleaner (EAC)

An electronic device that filters out large particles and contaminants in indoor air. It then electronically pulls out tiny particles that have been magnetized, such as viruses and bacteria, drawing them to a collector plate.

Energy Saver Switch

An energy saver switch causes the air conditioner's fan and compressor to cycle on and off together, reducing energy use.

Energy Star®

ENERGY STAR® is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. Products with the ENERGY STAR rating are both efficient and help save on energy bills.

Evaporator Coil

Part of a split-system air conditioner or heat pump located indoors. The evaporator coil cools and dehumidifies the air by converting liquid refrigerant into a gas, which absorbs the heat from the air. The warmed refrigerant is then carried through a tube to the outdoor unit (condenser coil). It is also referred to as an indoor coil.

Fan Coil

An indoor component of a heat pump system, used in place of a furnace, to provide additional heating on cold days when the heat pump does not provide adequate heating.

FREON™

The trade name Freon™ is a registered trademark belonging to E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company (DuPont). Production of Freon will cease in 2015 per the Montreal Protocol.

Geothermal Heat Pump

Carrier geothermal heat pumps tap into the earth’s surface to use the energy and consistent heat found in the ground, instead of using outside air like traditional heat pumps.

HSPF

The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor is a measure of the heating efficiency of a heat pump. The higher the HSPF number, the more efficiently the heat pump heats your home.

HVAC

Term used for Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

Heat Exchanger

The part of a furnace that transfers heat to nearby air. That air is then distributed through the ductwork throughout your home.

Heat Pump

A heating and air conditioning unit that heats or cools by moving heat.

Horizontal Flow

A type of furnace, installed on its "side," that draws in air from one side, heats it and sends the warm air out the other side. Most often used for installations in attics or crawl spaces.

Humidifier

A piece of equipment that adds water vapor to heated air as it moves out of the furnace. This adds necessary moisture to protect your furnishings and reduce static electricity.

Hybrid Heat®

Hybrid Heat® systems deliver exceptional performance by using a heating source that provides the most energy-efficient comfort during moderate heating conditions.

IAQ

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the cleanliness of the air in a home. IAQ factors include particulate count (pollen, mold), humidity and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in a home’s air – all of which can aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms.

Indoor Coil

See evaporator coil.

Load Estimate

A series of studies performed to determine the heating or cooling requirements of your home. An energy load analysis uses information such as the square footage of your home, window or door areas, insulation quality and local climate to determine the heating and cooling capacity needed by your furnace, heat pump or air conditioner. When referring to heating, this is often known as a Heat Loss Analysis, since a home's heating requirements are determined by the amount of heat lost through the roof, entryways and walls.

Low Boy

Low Boy is a type of furnace configuration in which the furnace is lower in height and occupies more floor space.

MERV

The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value is the standard comparison of the efficiency of an air filter. The MERV scale ranges from 1 (least efficient) to 16 (most efficient) and measures a filter's ability to remove particles from 3 to 10 microns in size.

Matched System

A heating and cooling system comprised of products that have been certified to perform at promised comfort and efficiency levels when used together and used according to design and engineering specifications.

Multipoise

A multi-direction configuration that allows for both upflow and downflow installations.

Operating Cost

The day-to-day cost of running your home comfort equipment, based on energy use.

Outdoor Coil

See condenser coil.

Payback Analysis

It is the overall measure of the efficiency and value of your home comfort system. By combining your purchase price and ongoing operating costs, a payback analysis determines the number of years required before monthly energy savings offset the purchase price.

Puron® Refrigerant

Puron® Refrigerant is an environmentally sound refrigerant designed not to harm the earth's ozone layer. Federal law requires all manufacturers phase out ozone-depleting refrigerants in the next few years. Puron Refrigerant is approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a replacement for R-22.

R-22 Refrigerant

R-22 is a single-component HCFC refrigerant with low ozone depletion potential. It has long been used in a variety of air conditioning and refrigeration applications in a variety of markets. Production of R-22 will cease in 2015 per the Montreal Protocol. Also commonly known as Freon.

Reciprocating Compressor

A type of compressor used in air conditioners that compresses refrigerants by using a type of “piston” action.

Reclaiming

Involves returning used refrigerant to the manufacturer for disposal or reuse.

Recycling

Removing, cleaning and reusing refrigerant.

Refrigerant Lines

Two copper lines that connect the Condenser (Outdoor) Coil to the Evaporator (Indoor) Coil.

Remote Access

Requires Wi-Fi® enabled model connected to a Wi-Fi network. Some models require a dedicated Wi-Fi router.

Remote Room Sensor

When the most convenient location for the main thermostat or control is not best for assessing the average conditions of the home (such as when it’s located near an exterior door), you can apply a remote sensor to feed information about the comfort conditions to the main unit.

Riello Burner

A burner assembly within your oil furnace that provides a cleaner, higher-quality combustion of heating oil to increase energy efficiency.

SEER

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is a measure of the cooling efficiency of your air conditioner or heat pump. The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the system is at converting electricity into cooling power.

Scroll Compressor

A specially designed compressor that works in a circular motion instead of an up-and-down piston action.

Setback Thermostat

A state-of-the-art electronic thermostat with a built-in memory that can be programmed for different temperature settings at different times of the day.

Single Package

One outdoor unit that contains both a heating and cooling system.

Smart Recovery

Actively manages system ramp-up during “away” periods to meet homeowner comfort needs while saving money.

Smart Setback Programming

Uses information about indoor and outdoor conditions and the specifics of the system’s capabilities to determine the best temperature setback during “away” periods and when to ramp up to save energy while staying within homeowner min/max temperature preferences.

Split System

Refers to an air conditioner or heat pump that has components in two locations. Usually, one part of the system is located inside (evaporator coil) and the other is located outside your home (condenser coil).

Thermostat

Unit that monitors and controls your HVAC system products.

Thermostatic Expansion Valve

A thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) is a precision device used to meter the flow of liquid refrigerant entering the evaporator at a rate that matches the amount of refrigerant being boiled off in the evaporator.

Ton

A unit of measure for cooling capacity. One ton = 12,000 BTUs per hour.

Total Home Comfort System

The ultimate solution to providing you with consistent, customized home comfort, despite the ever-changing weather.

UL

UL is an objective, non-profit organization that tests, rates and certifies electrical products for public safety.

UV Lamps

Ultraviolet lamps attack and kill mold and bacteria that can grow on the cooling coil of many HVAC systems, preventing them from circulating through the home.

Upflow

A type of furnace that draws cool air from the bottom and blows the warmed air out the top into the ductwork. This type of furnace is usually installed in a basement or an out-of-the-way closet.

Variable Speed

Technology that allows your system to operate quietly and efficiently at longer, lower speed cycles throughout the day – meaning your system and comfort stay consistent.

Ventilator

A ventilator captures heating or cooling energy from stale indoor air and transfers it to fresh incoming air.

Zoning

A way to increase your home comfort and energy efficiency by controlling when and where heating and cooling occurs in a home. Programmable thermostats are used to control operating times of the equipment. Dampers are used to direct airflow to certain areas or "zones" of the home.