What Does “Properly Matched” Mean?

What Does "Properly Matched" Mean?In a place as dependent on air conditioning for many months of the year, it’s imperative to have a properly matched system. The term refers to the compatibility of the indoor and outdoor components and the refrigerant. If they don’t match, the air conditioner or heat pump may not work dependably or at all.

Specifically, a matched system is one where:

  • The evaporator coil inside the air handler and the condensing coil in the outdoor condenser need to have the same capacity for refrigerant
  • The refrigerant each component was designed to use must be the same.

Why Matching Matters

Air conditioners and heat pumps cool homes by putting refrigerants under pressure and circulating the fluid into the indoor evaporator coil. Since the refrigerant is extremely cold, it absorbs the heat that the air handler’s fan blows over the coil, which cools the air. When the evaporator coil and condenser coil have different capacities, the process doesn’t work as efficiently or effectively.

Switching out a component that uses a different kind of refrigerant won’t work well. Each type of refrigerant requires a specific amount of pressure to absorb the optimal amount of heat. The newest, R410a (Puron), needs more pressure than R22. Using R410a in a system designed for R22 won’t provide the same comfort or dependability. Since the supplies of R-22 are dwindling, you’re better off replacing the old equipment with a new one instead of trying to convert it.

When It Matters

You probably won’t hear much about a properly matched system unless you’re in the market for a new HVAC system or if you need to replace the air handler or condenser. Before signing the contract, ask to see the AHRI (Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute) certificate. You can also use ahridirectory.org’s online database of products by reference certificate number or model number to verify that the components are compatible.

Yuma summers are fiercely hot and the only way to assure your comfort is with a properly matched system. To learn more, contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company, providing HVAC services for Yuma-area homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 928-723-3183.