What does 'central air' mean?

At Buck’s Heating and Air, we don’t believe your HVAC system should be a mystery anymore! Maybe your system needs repairs, or you’re thinking of upgrading your equipment, or maybe you’re a first time homebuyer who’s trying to do their due diligence to maintain their home. No matter what your circumstances are, if you have a central heating and air system, you will want to get familiar with how it works eventually.

So first things first, what does central air mean?

This is a common term used in the heating and air industry that describes most residential whole-house systems. Conversely, this term wouldn’t include space heaters, window air conditioners, or mini-splits. But chances are, you probably have central air if you have ducted vents coming out of your floors or ceilings and a thermostat on the wall.

Are there different types of central air?

Yes! Central HVAC systems can be split into two categories -split systems and packaged units. While they function similarly, the equipment they use is set up differently.

A split system is the most common and it is pretty much what it sounds like, a system that has been split into two parts. You’ll have an indoor unit typically in a closet or attic, and an outdoor unit.

A packaged unit is a single outdoor unit that combines the function of both parts of the split system. This type of system can be a good option when there is limited space.