A central air conditioner works with a compressor that is almost always located outside the house. This compressor is typically approximately three feet or four square feet, with grilles around it to vent hot air. You can usually also see a large fan inside the top cover of the compressor. Forced air can only refer to an oven or heat pump if it makes use of ducts.
The central air conditioner uses the supply system of a forced air heating system to supply air conditioning. If the air coming out of the vents seems to be a little off, it may indicate a serious problem with the central air conditioning unit. For example, you may notice that the air that comes out suddenly feels warm. A central air conditioner that blows warm air means that something has broken inside the system.
It could be a broken compressor or a number of other possible causes. Sometimes the problem is not with the air conditioning unit, but with the thermostat itself. One way to tell if the thermostat is a problem is if one part of the house is very cold while another part remains at the same temperature. The main difference between forced air and central air systems, then, is that central air conditioning refers specifically to a refrigeration system.
If mold and moisture build up around the air conditioner, it can also lead to large home repair bills, even after the central air conditioner has been repaired or replaced. If your energy bill has increased and it's no longer hot outside, that could be a sign that something is wrong with your central air conditioner. If it comes to dismantling the interior or exterior parts of your central air conditioning unit, call on a professional air conditioning contractor who has the right experience and knowledge, along with the right tools, parts and equipment to get the job done correctly and, most importantly, properly safe. The central air conditioning system is separate from your oven and uses an outdoor unit that is not connected to the oven at all.
Most of the time, forced air belongs to the heating system, while central air refers to the cooling system. A central air conditioning system uses the forced air system inside your home to supply cool air, making use of ventilation grilles, chambers, and ducts to provide air conditioning. For some people, the mere thought of testing your own central air conditioner seems like a daunting task, but doing it yourself is easy and will save you the cost of a service call to have a technician do it for you. Many homeowners find strange noises coming from their central air conditioning disconcerting, and for good reason.
The compressor is located on an outside wall or ceiling, like any other central air conditioning unit. You have the option to choose between forced air and central air when it comes time to purchase new HVAC equipment. Understanding the difference between a forced air system and a central air system can help you differentiate the functions of each in your HVAC system. In the central heating system, heat is produced in a central location and then distributed throughout the house.
Both your forced air (oven) and central air (AC) systems use the same parts to cool and heat your home.
