Getting Started with Cooling Products
This page will hopefully answer any questions you may have about cooling systems. We included many topics that tend to be confusing to homeowners so that you can make a more informed decision based on your specific comfort needs. Please call us if you have any other questions or would like more information on any of the cooling products or other services that Prudential offers.
Explanation: Air conditioning includes both the cooling and heating of air. It also cleans the air and controls moisture levels. An air conditioner is able to cool a building by removing heat from the indoor air and transferring it outdoors. A chemical refrigerant in the system absorbs the unwanted heat and pumps it through a system of piping to the outside coil. The fan, located in the outside unit, blows outside air over the hot coil, transferring heat from the refrigerant to the outdoor air.
Your air conditioning system has four mechanical components – a compressor, an expansion valve, an evaporator coil and blower, and a chemical refrigerant. A central air conditioning unit operates by means of a split system. That is, it consists of a “hot” side, or the condensing unit – including the condensing coil, the compressor, and the fan – which is situated outside your home, and a “cold” side that is located inside your home. The cold side consists of an expansion valve and a cold coil, and it is usually mounted on your furnace or air handler. The furnace blows air through an evaporator coil, which cools the air. Then this cool air is routed throughout your home by means of your duct work. For more information on the compressor, condenser coil, expansion valve, and evaporator coil, click here.
Click here to view the Lennox® air conditioners that Prudential offers.
Explanation: A heat pump is an efficient method of cooling your home in the summer and warming it in the winter. It works by moving existing heat from one area to another. A condenser absorbs heat from the outdoor air (even the coldest air contains some heat) and transfers it to a heat exchanger inside the home. Indoor air is warmed in the heat exchanger and circulated throughout your home. During the summer, the process is reversed to cool and dehumidify your home. One advantage of a heat pump is that it provides both heating and cooling capabilities in one unit. Like a furnace, heat pumps use filters to reduce airborne particles and keep the unit clean.
Click here to view the Lennox® heat pumps that Prudential offers.
Explanation: When considering the purchase of a new air conditioner for your home or office, consider the fact that today’s best air conditioners use 30% to 50% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling than air conditioners from the mid-80’s. A larger air conditioner will not necessarily provide the best cooling. Many companies will not spend the time to accurately size your equipment, but it is absolutely critical. A larger air conditioner costs more initially. It will cycle on-and-off more frequently which will drastically lower efficiency. Frequent cycling also causes large temperature swings which decrease your comfort. In humid areas such as the Ohio River Valley, moisture removal is critical. Excessive cycling reduces moisture removal and wears out parts and components much more quickly. When all of these factors are combined, it means more electricity usage and shorter equipment life, which costs you more money.
Click here to view the Lennox® air conditioners that Prudential offers.
Explanation: Two-stage cooling means the air conditioner or heat pump has a compressor with two levels of operation: high for hot summer days and low for milder days. Since the low setting is adequate to meet household cooling demands 80% of the time, a two-stage unit runs for longer periods and produces more even temperatures. Longer cooling cycles also translate to quieter, more efficient operation and enhanced humidity control. As an added benefit, many two-stage compressors use the new R410A refrigerant, which meets U.S. government standards for environmental safety.
Explanation: All outdoor air conditioning and heat pumps units are specifically designed to work with matched indoor units for optimum efficiency and performance. While a new air conditioner or heat pump unit may “work” with your existing indoor unit, the result is a definite compromise in system performance. The cooling and/or heating efficiency ratings that are advertised for an air conditioner or heat pump are based on their performance as part of a matched system. Longer equipment life will likely also result because all components operate as they are designed to. At first glance, replacing only the outdoor unit may appear to be a bargain, but decreased efficiency and reliability is not such a bargain after all. Replacing an entire air conditioning or heat pump system costs more initially, but you get more efficiency, reliability, and comfort in the long run.
Explanation: Federal regulation has raised the energy efficiency standards for air conditioners and heat pumps. A minimum of 13 SEER is required for air conditioners and 13 SEER/7.7 HSPF for heat pumps. Previously, ratings were only required to meet 10 SEER. This increase in energy efficiency creates significant environmental benefits as well as important economic benefits. For example, when compared with older, less efficient equipment, air conditioners and heat pumps with higher SEER ratings can save you hundreds of dollars each year on your utility bills.
Explanation: Contained within the coils of your system, refrigerants make it possible to cool and dehumidify indoor air. Today, there are several types of refrigerants used in air conditioning systems. The most common is R22, or Freon, which will be phased out over the coming years in response to international environmental concerns. Though the transition away from R22 is just beginning, Prudential and Lennox® are one step ahead by offering a full line of products that use a more responsible, chlorine-free refrigerant, R410A. R410A is better suited for use in higher-efficiency equipment because you get a higher heat transfer rate than with R22.
Explanation: Inside your air handler is an electric motor that drives the indoor blower. In most standard systems, it runs at only one speed – full capacity – and is either on or off. A variable speed motor, however, automatically varies its speed based on your home’s heating and cooling requirements. It ramps up to maximum speed slowly instead of coming on full throttle all at once. This means no more sudden blasts of air – just a gentler, more even airflow. Also, since it runs at a lower speed most of the time, there is a lot less noise and cost to operate.
Click here to view the Lennox® air handlers that Prudential offers.
Explanation: Lennox® has long enjoyed a reputation for having the best products and services in the industry. This reputation was earned over time because of the high levels of quality in product design. For over 100 years, Lennox® has helped keep homes and businesses comfortable. This stability ensures they will stand behind their products. Lennox® products have always led the way in design and
Click here to view the Lennox® air conditioners that Prudential offers.
Click here to view the Lennox® heat pumps that Prudential offers.
Click here to view the Lennox® air handlers that Prudential offers.
Explanation: SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and is an energy efficiency rating for air conditioners and heat pumps. The higher the SEER, the better the energy performance, and the more you save. The Department of Energy’s established minimum SEER rating is 13.00.
HSPF stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor and is the heating efficiency rating for heat pumps. The higher the rating, the more efficient the heat pump. HSPF is regulated at a minimum of 7.7.
Click here to learn more about confusing HVAC terminology.
Click here to view the wide variety of ENERGY STAR products that Prudential offers.
How does an air conditioner work?
Quick answer: Removes warm indoor air and blows cool air throughout your home.Explanation: Air conditioning includes both the cooling and heating of air. It also cleans the air and controls moisture levels. An air conditioner is able to cool a building by removing heat from the indoor air and transferring it outdoors. A chemical refrigerant in the system absorbs the unwanted heat and pumps it through a system of piping to the outside coil. The fan, located in the outside unit, blows outside air over the hot coil, transferring heat from the refrigerant to the outdoor air.
Your air conditioning system has four mechanical components – a compressor, an expansion valve, an evaporator coil and blower, and a chemical refrigerant. A central air conditioning unit operates by means of a split system. That is, it consists of a “hot” side, or the condensing unit – including the condensing coil, the compressor, and the fan – which is situated outside your home, and a “cold” side that is located inside your home. The cold side consists of an expansion valve and a cold coil, and it is usually mounted on your furnace or air handler. The furnace blows air through an evaporator coil, which cools the air. Then this cool air is routed throughout your home by means of your duct work. For more information on the compressor, condenser coil, expansion valve, and evaporator coil, click here.
Click here to view the Lennox® air conditioners that Prudential offers.
What is a heat pump and how does a heat pump work?
Quick answer: It is an all-in-one heating-and-cooling system.Explanation: A heat pump is an efficient method of cooling your home in the summer and warming it in the winter. It works by moving existing heat from one area to another. A condenser absorbs heat from the outdoor air (even the coldest air contains some heat) and transfers it to a heat exchanger inside the home. Indoor air is warmed in the heat exchanger and circulated throughout your home. During the summer, the process is reversed to cool and dehumidify your home. One advantage of a heat pump is that it provides both heating and cooling capabilities in one unit. Like a furnace, heat pumps use filters to reduce airborne particles and keep the unit clean.
Click here to view the Lennox® heat pumps that Prudential offers.
A bigger air conditioner will cool my home better, right?
Quick answer: WRONG! In fact, it could cost you more money up front and in the long run.Explanation: When considering the purchase of a new air conditioner for your home or office, consider the fact that today’s best air conditioners use 30% to 50% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling than air conditioners from the mid-80’s. A larger air conditioner will not necessarily provide the best cooling. Many companies will not spend the time to accurately size your equipment, but it is absolutely critical. A larger air conditioner costs more initially. It will cycle on-and-off more frequently which will drastically lower efficiency. Frequent cycling also causes large temperature swings which decrease your comfort. In humid areas such as the Ohio River Valley, moisture removal is critical. Excessive cycling reduces moisture removal and wears out parts and components much more quickly. When all of these factors are combined, it means more electricity usage and shorter equipment life, which costs you more money.
Click here to view the Lennox® air conditioners that Prudential offers.
What is two-stage cooling and what are its advantages?
Quick answer: Allows your air conditioner or heat pump to work at different intensity levels than high or off.Explanation: Two-stage cooling means the air conditioner or heat pump has a compressor with two levels of operation: high for hot summer days and low for milder days. Since the low setting is adequate to meet household cooling demands 80% of the time, a two-stage unit runs for longer periods and produces more even temperatures. Longer cooling cycles also translate to quieter, more efficient operation and enhanced humidity control. As an added benefit, many two-stage compressors use the new R410A refrigerant, which meets U.S. government standards for environmental safety.
If I am replacing my outdoor unit, should the indoor unit be replaced also?
Quick answer: We highly recommended it.Explanation: All outdoor air conditioning and heat pumps units are specifically designed to work with matched indoor units for optimum efficiency and performance. While a new air conditioner or heat pump unit may “work” with your existing indoor unit, the result is a definite compromise in system performance. The cooling and/or heating efficiency ratings that are advertised for an air conditioner or heat pump are based on their performance as part of a matched system. Longer equipment life will likely also result because all components operate as they are designed to. At first glance, replacing only the outdoor unit may appear to be a bargain, but decreased efficiency and reliability is not such a bargain after all. Replacing an entire air conditioning or heat pump system costs more initially, but you get more efficiency, reliability, and comfort in the long run.
Should I be concerned about the new energy efficiency standards?
Quick Answer: No. All of the products that Prudential offers meet or exceed federal regulation and will save you money on your utility bills.Explanation: Federal regulation has raised the energy efficiency standards for air conditioners and heat pumps. A minimum of 13 SEER is required for air conditioners and 13 SEER/7.7 HSPF for heat pumps. Previously, ratings were only required to meet 10 SEER. This increase in energy efficiency creates significant environmental benefits as well as important economic benefits. For example, when compared with older, less efficient equipment, air conditioners and heat pumps with higher SEER ratings can save you hundreds of dollars each year on your utility bills.
What can you tell me about air conditioning refrigerants?
Quick Answer: Refrigerants are what make air conditioning possible.Explanation: Contained within the coils of your system, refrigerants make it possible to cool and dehumidify indoor air. Today, there are several types of refrigerants used in air conditioning systems. The most common is R22, or Freon, which will be phased out over the coming years in response to international environmental concerns. Though the transition away from R22 is just beginning, Prudential and Lennox® are one step ahead by offering a full line of products that use a more responsible, chlorine-free refrigerant, R410A. R410A is better suited for use in higher-efficiency equipment because you get a higher heat transfer rate than with R22.
What is a variable speed air handler?
Quick answer: An air handler that runs at two different speeds to increase efficiency.Explanation: Inside your air handler is an electric motor that drives the indoor blower. In most standard systems, it runs at only one speed – full capacity – and is either on or off. A variable speed motor, however, automatically varies its speed based on your home’s heating and cooling requirements. It ramps up to maximum speed slowly instead of coming on full throttle all at once. This means no more sudden blasts of air – just a gentler, more even airflow. Also, since it runs at a lower speed most of the time, there is a lot less noise and cost to operate.
Click here to view the Lennox® air handlers that Prudential offers.
Why should I choose a Lennox® air conditioner, heat pump, or air handler?
Quick answer: Quality products with innovative design and reliable performanceExplanation: Lennox® has long enjoyed a reputation for having the best products and services in the industry. This reputation was earned over time because of the high levels of quality in product design. For over 100 years, Lennox® has helped keep homes and businesses comfortable. This stability ensures they will stand behind their products. Lennox® products have always led the way in design and
 |
performance innovation. When you see the Lennox® label, you know you’re getting the finest, most innovative cooling products available that will provide exceptional performance and reliability. |
Click here to view the Lennox® air conditioners that Prudential offers.
Click here to view the Lennox® heat pumps that Prudential offers.
Click here to view the Lennox® air handlers that Prudential offers.
What do SEER, and HSPF ratings mean?
Quick answer: Energy efficiency ratings for your air conditioner or heat pump.Explanation: SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and is an energy efficiency rating for air conditioners and heat pumps. The higher the SEER, the better the energy performance, and the more you save. The Department of Energy’s established minimum SEER rating is 13.00.
HSPF stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor and is the heating efficiency rating for heat pumps. The higher the rating, the more efficient the heat pump. HSPF is regulated at a minimum of 7.7.
Click here to learn more about confusing HVAC terminology.
Are Prudential’s air conditioners and heat pumps ENERGY STAR rated?
Quick answer: Yes, many of them are ENERGY STAR rated. |
Explanation: ENERGY STAR equipment can reduce your cooling costs by as much as 50%. By creating a more efficient home environment, you are contributing to a cleaner global environment. In fact, according to the EPA, if just one in ten households installed ENERGY STAR heating and cooling products, the change would keep more than 17 billion pounds of pollution out of the air. |
Click here to view the wide variety of ENERGY STAR products that Prudential offers.