If your split-system air conditioner malfunctions or runs into problems after a storm, you may be tempted to simply exchange one side of the unit. Unfortunately, if you do not match A/C sides your unit will not work as it should and if you live in Farmington, Oak Park, Detroit, or anywhere in Southeast Michigan you may find yourself facing a hot summer without the cooling benefits of an air conditioner.
Split-system A/C systems are designed so that both sides — the indoor unit and the outdoor unit — work together. If you replace one side only, there are two main issues that may arise:
- The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) may not match up. The SEER is the way that the unit’s energy efficiency is measured. Older A/C units may have a lower SEER, but today’s systems must have a SEER rating of at least 13. If you try matching A/C sides with different SEER ratings, one side of the air conditioner will struggle to keep up, putting additional stress on the entire system. In turn, this will negatively impact the air conditioner’s performance and may lead to more repair bills.
- The sides may be designed for different refrigerants. Older A/C models may use R-22 refrigerant, but this is being slowly phased out and replaced with with refrigerants such as R-410A, which are Environmental Protection Agency-approved. Matching A/C sides that use different refrigerant will simply not work and can in fact be dangerous. The system may fail.
The best way to avoid the hassle is by ensuring that both sides of your A/C match. Fortunately, matching A/C sides perfectly does not have to be difficult. A/C system professionals in the Oak Park, Farmington and Southeast Michigan area can perfectly match both sides of your A/C so that you get the most cooling power from your system. If your air conditioner is malfunctioning, you can always reach Aladdin Heating & Cooling for prompt and professional assistance. The team at Aladdin Heating & Cooling has been providing around-the-clock service since 1945 and would be happy to answer your questions or help you with your A/C unit.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Detroit, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock