Oklahoma City Air Conditioning Systems

Oklahoma City has hot summers and cool winters, making central air conditioner systems the most common form of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) system in the area, usually including a gas furnace. The term “split system” comes from the fact that the air conditioning condensing unit is installed outside and the furnace — which contains the AC’s indoor coil — is installed inside.

In this Oklahoma City HVAC guide we discuss the basic workings of central air conditioning. We cover furnaces in a separate guide. Below, we also discuss issues related to the size of the split system, hiring a contractor, and factors that affect price.

AC Split Systems in Oklahoma City

With summer days in the 90′s and over 100, we rely heavily on our central air conditioner split systems. They use refrigerant to remove heat and humidity from the house, giving welcomed relief in hot weather. Here’s an overview of how they work so that if you need to discuss yours with an HVAC contractors you’ll be able to make informed decisions about issues related to installation, repair, replacement, efficiency and more.

• The basic components of the system are the compressor and condenser coil in the condensing unit and the indoor coil in the gas furnace. Two copper lines connect the coils and the lines are filled with refrigerant. When the house needs to be cooled off, the compressor starts and refrigerant begins to flow. The key to air conditioning is that refrigerant has the ability to quickly absorb heat and release heat. Refrigerant enters the evaporator coil as a liquid. A valve on the coil causes it to evaporate within the coil as it enters. As it evaporates into a gas, it absorbs a large amount of heat from the warm air surrounding the coil which causes the coil to become cold.
• The furnace blower circulates air through your home’s ductwork. Air passes over the cold coil, cooling it, and the blower pushes the cool air into your home through the supply ducts. Warm air is drawn into the system through the return ducts.
• The heat that is captured by the refrigerant is carried outside. As the refrigerant enters the condensing coil, another valve causes it to condense back into a liquid and it sheds its heat in the process. The outdoor coil has radiator-type fins on it and the released heat radiates out of the coil. The condensing unit fan disperses the heat. This cycle continues until the air inside is cooled to the level called for on the thermostat, shutting off the system. That’s the basics of how air conditioning works — refrigerant expanding to absorb heat in your home and contracting to release it outside.
• Another benefit of air conditioning is that it removes humidity from your home. As the indoor coil cools off, moisture condenses on it. The coil is shaped like an A-frame, causing condensed water to run down its sides and collect in a pan. It then enters a drain line which carries it to a drain in the floor, and it leaves your home. An air conditioner can remove as much moisture from your home as a small dehumidifier, making your home both cooler and less humid.

AC Size is Important

Condensing units for residential use come in sizes from 1.5 ton to 5.0 ton capacity, in half-ton and whole-ton sizes. It is important to get the right size for your home — large enough, but not more than a half-ton too large. Units that are too small won’t adequately cool your home. Units that are too large won’t run long enough to do a good job removing humidity. Plus, these short cycles may cause mechanical problems.

To get the size right requires more than just knowing the home’s square footage. You also have to take into account our warm climate, the layout of the house, the amount of insulation in the home, the quality of the windows, and many other factors. It gets complex, and that is why guesswork has to be avoided.

To properly size an air conditioner split system for your home, a load calculation must be done which uses a system of formulas to weigh these factors. While DIY software does exist for doing a load calculation, it is best left to an HVAC professional who does load calculations as a regular part of their work. They’ll have the best success determining the right size system for your home.

Choosing an Oklahoma AC Contractor

Since we’re talking about HVAC professionals, choosing a reliable one can be a challenge. There are many very good contractors in the Oklahoma City area, but separating them from the crowd takes a strategy. These tips will help you select a contractor you can depend on to do a good job.

• See our Contractors Page for a list of the area’s highest-rated contractors. Click on the contractors to read reviews and ratings left by customers. Make a list of 4-5 that you may want to hire.
• Ask others for recommendations. You’ll hear stories of good contractors and ones you will want to avoid. When you hear a good story, ask about the quality of the work, their professionalism and the fairness of the pricing. Compare what you hear from others with our list, and when contractors show up on both, that’s a good sign they’ll do a good job for you.
• Contact several companies on your list to give you written estimates for the work.
• Request free estimates online. The contractors are always local and they have been pre-screened for convenience and quality assurance.
• Choose the HVAC company that you believe will do the best job at a fair price.

Cost Factors for Central Air Conditioner Split Systems

How much will a new central AC system cost here in Oklahoma City? We can’t give you an exact quote, but here are factors that will affect the final cost for equipment and installation.

• Capacity of the System: The larger it is, all else being equal, the more it will cost.
• Efficiency: AC efficiency is measured in SEER, or seasonal energy efficiency rating. It measures how much cooling it does per unit of electricity, much like gas mileage. Current SEER ratings range from 13 SEER models to those over 24 SEER. The higher the SEER, the more it will cost — but the less it will cost to operate. Since we use AC so much here in OKC, installing a high-efficiency central air conditioner will lower your utility bills and the extra you spend for the equipment will be paid back in just a few years.
• Features: Some condensing units have 2-stage or modulating compressors which means they run at lower speeds most of the time. This is quieter, plus it helps to balance temperatures and dehumidify the house. These units will cost slightly more.
• Installation Factors: Complex installations that take extra time or materials will cost extra.
• Time of Year: Mid-spring into fall is the busy season for AC contractors. In their slower seasons, they often give discounts on services and equipment in order to keep business coming in. If your system is working but you plan to replace it, waiting until early fall or early spring may save you money.