Beat the Heat in Kelowna: How Central AC Systems Work

Kelowna Summer Survival: Is Your AC Ready?

Okanagan summers are world-class, but when the mercury hits 35°C in Kelowna or Westbank, your home needs to be a sanctuary. Whether you’re looking for AC repair in Kelowna or considering a brand-new high-efficiency installation, understanding the "how" behind your cooling system can save you thousands in energy bills.

Note to our loyal customers: CE Plumbing & Heating is now Trufinity Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We have the same expert team, the same local ownership, and the same 5-star service—just with a new name that reflects our infinite commitment to your comfort.

If your AC system needs a tune-up or you think it's time to install a new system in your home, it might help to understand how it works. Changing the hot outdoor air into cold air to cool your home through a central air system a modern convenience you might not think much about—until your system fails or you decide you don't want to spend another summer battling heat indoors. 

Don't sweat through the summer! Central AC can keep you cool. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about central air. 

Why leave your home to the hands of a sub-par HVAC contractor? Call CE Plumbing & Heating today at 250-707-8285 and see why we’re the A/C company Kelowna homeowners trust most.

The Anatomy of an Okanagan Cooling System

A central AC system is a high-performance team of components. In our region, these parts work overtime to combat both heat and summer wildfire smoke:

• The Outdoor Condenser: The large metal unit outside. It houses the compressor (the "heart" of the system) and releases the heat pulled from your home.
• The Indoor Evaporator Coil: Usually hidden inside your furnace cabinet. This is where the actual "cooling" happens as refrigerant absorbs indoor heat.
• The Refrigerant Lines: Copper pipes that act as a highway, moving heat from inside to outside.‍
• The Air Filter: Your first line of defense. In Kelowna, we recommend MERV 8 to 11 filters to balance airflow with the ability to catch fine dust and smoke particles.

The Process

Did you know that you start the process of your AC system? When you set the thermostat, you tell your AC system the temperature you want it to maintain to keep you cool during our hot Okanagan Valley summers.

Once your thermostat has its instructions, it communicates with the outdoor unit when it's time to turn on and off to maintain the right temperature in your home.

As the unit powers on, the compressor begins pumping the refrigerant through the lines connected to the indoor unit. As the coolant passes through the lines and over the evaporator coils in the indoor unit, the coils become cool. 

The furnace blows air over the cooling coils. As the air passes over the cold evaporator coils, it becomes cooler as it's forced through your vents and throughout your home.

The system's refrigerant helps the evaporator coils absorb the heat from the air to make it cooler as it passes through the system. 

The heat has to go somewhere after the refrigerant removes it from the air. While the compressor continues working outside, it pumps the heated refrigerant back to the outdoor unit to release the heat. 

The process seems simple enough, but there's more!

What Does the Outside Fan Do?

If you've been near an AC system's outdoor unit, you've probably seen (and heard) the large fan blades spin the air underneath the metal case. Contrary to some beliefs, these fan blades don't cool the air that blows through the ducts and into your home. 

That fan blows over the condenser coils in the outdoor unit to keep them cool while the unit disperses heat. Turning hot air into cold air takes place in the evaporator coils located in the part of the system inside your home. 

Your inside unit has a fan, too. It sits encased in the furnace and blows air over the evaporator coils and out into your home to keep you cool. 

Save Money with High-Efficiency Cooling

If your current AC is over 15 years old, it’s likely costing you 30-50% more on your monthly utility bills than a modern system.

• FortisBC Rebates: Many Kelowna homeowners qualify for significant rebates when switching to high-efficiency heat pumps or ENERGY STAR® central air systems.‍
• The Anatomy of an OkanaganThe $99 Tune-Up: Our Trufinity AC Tune-Up ensures your refrigerant levels are topped up and your coils are clean. Dirty coils make your system work 20% harder, leading to mid-summer breakdowns.

Choosing the Right AC System

If you like the idea of maintaining your home's cool temperatures during the summer, it's time to consider a central air system.

However, not all central air systems are the right fit for your home. A new AC system is a significant (and worthwhile) investment, so it's critical to find the best system for your home. 

Choosing the right system starts with the right HVAC professionals to guide you to the best system for your needs.

Depending on the size of your house and the efficiency you want from your system, your HVAC professional will recommend the best size and components to keep your home cool and energy-efficient. 

Keep Cool This Summer With Central AC

Don't suffer through another hot Okanagan Valley summer without central AC! Trufinity Plumbing & Heating is your local, licensed central air conditioning system experts. We'll guide you through the process of choosing the right system for your home, then install it with the support of our work guarantees. Contact us to talk about staying cool!

Related Articles

Share This Post

Share on facebook
Share on linkedin
Share on twitter
Share on email