Why can't my air conditioner work correctly?

How does the Air Conditioner work ? I have 17 year old air conditioner and looking to replace to a new one?

• I have an AC unit (condenser? ) out side and then I have a Handler(?) inside garage area. How does it both work together? My AC guy recommended Split System with a heat pump to save on the energy bills. How does it different from my current one ? I know I will have a heat pump out side (looks like just another AC condenser to me), and then will have a handler inside just like the system I have now... how is this a split system ? The model my AC guy recommended was by Trane Hyperion Handler and a 15 seer heat pump. My estimate says "3 ton Trane Hypeerion R-410R A Split System, 15 seer heat Pump". does it make sense ? I went to an Trane web site and got confused as i could not find "Hyperion R-410R Spilit system". Instead, I found this ... http://www.trane.com/Residential/Products/Air-Handlers/Hyperion-Air-Handlers then this ... http://www.trane.com/Residential/Products/Heat-Pumps/XR15-Heat-Pump Am I looking at the right product / page on there ??

• Answer:

  A heat pump system is useless unless your home is extremely energy efficient and tight. Some unscrupulous and naive HVAC salesmen still persist in selling these systems to just anyone,... looking for that fat installation contract that will pay their next boat payment.... Your home must be very well insulated and have very efficient windows & doors. Extra insulation in the attic doesn't hurt. To answer your query: a split system is quite literally split in two. It typically has an inside evaporator connected to the outside condenser via refrigerant lines. I refer you to: http://www.howstuffworks.com/ac.htm A heat pump has pretty much the same set up except in winter, the outside coil becomes the evaporator... using a 4 way valve and a series of check valves and a TXV metering device on each end of the high side... If your home is suitable, a 15 SEER Trane unit would be a fine choice. I would take a look at York, Lennox and Rheem units too. Carrier is an industry standard and they are very proud of them....trouble is, when they do need service, almost every part is proprietary and expensive.. (there are up to 18 SEER Goodman units available)