When you think about air conditioners, what do you picture? A big machine with a lot of parts, right? It’s easy to see why.
The air conditioner is one of the most amazing inventions in recent history. It’s not just a way to cool off on a hot summer day; it’s a tool that can help you live a more healthier, more comfortable life.
Air conditioners are designed to work in a certain way and to have specific parts. But did you ever stop thinking about how they actually do that? What makes them work?
In this article, we’ll explore what makes an air conditioner work, how it does it, and when to service your air conditioners by a reliable HVAC professional in O’Fallon, MO.
Basic Components Of Air Conditioning Unit
The air conditioning unit is a device that cools and dehumidifies the air. It’s comprised of several basic components, each of which has its own important role in ensuring the AC is working properly.
Let’s take a look at each component and what it does:
1. Compressor: Compressors are responsible for compressing the refrigerant gas into liquid form.
2. Condenser: The condenser transfers heat from the refrigerant to the outside air.
3. Evaporator: The evaporator absorbs heat from the inside of your home and releases it into the atmosphere through coils.
4. Expansion Valve: The expansion valve regulates the amount of refrigerant that flows in and out of the system, preventing any excess from escaping into the atmosphere.
5. Drier/Receiver: Dryers remove moisture from a system’s line, while receivers collect any moisture that has been removed but cannot be reused by the system (such as in an emergency).
6. The Refrigerant: It is a gas that is utilized to remove heat from the room and transfer it outside.
7. The Fan: It blows cold air into the room and helps circulate the cool air around it.
8. The Air Filter: This filter removes dust particles from the incoming air so they do not get deposited on other parts of the system or clog up its internal components.
9. Thermostat: The thermostat is a device that regulates the temperature in an air conditioning unit. It turns the AC on and off, depending on how hot or cool you want it to be.
How Does An Air Conditioner Work?
The air conditioner is an essential part of the modern household. It’s the reason you can sit in a cool room and not sweat, even if it’s 100 degrees outside. But did you know that air conditioners work on the same principles as refrigerators? And that they actually use electricity to create heat?
Wondering, “How does an air conditioner work?”
In this section, we’ll look at the science behind how an air conditioner works so you can understand what makes your home so cold in the summer.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how an air conditioner works:
- The air conditioner unit is turned on manually or through a thermostat setting.
- The blower fan in the air conditioner starts to operate, drawing warm air from the room into the system.
- The warm air enters the air conditioner through a grille or vent, passing through a filter that removes dust, particles, and allergens from the air.
- The filtered air then flows over a set of evaporator coils containing a chemical refrigerant, typically a fluid that can easily change between gas and liquid states.
- As the warm air passes over the cold evaporator coils, the refrigerant sucks heat from the air. The heat transfer causes the refrigerant to evaporate from a liquid state to a low-pressure, cool gas.
- The blower fan propels the now-cooled air back into the room through another grille or vent, reducing the temperature and creating a more comfortable indoor environment.
- Meanwhile, the refrigerant in its gaseous state enters the compressor, which can be found in the air conditioner’s outdoor unit.
- The compressor compresses the refrigerant gas, significantly increasing its pressure and temperature. This compression process raises the energy level of the refrigerant.
- The high-pressure, hot refrigerant gas flows into the condenser, consisting of coils with fins in the outdoor unit.
- As the refrigerant passes through the condenser coils, it releases heat to the external environment. The condenser coils are designed to dissipate the heat efficiently.
- The release of heat causes the refrigerant to condense, changing it back into a high-pressure liquid state.
- The high-pressure liquid refrigerant passes through an expansion valve or an orifice tube, which reduces its pressure and causes it to expand.
- As the refrigerant expands, its temperature drops significantly, making it cold once again.
- The cool, low-pressure liquid refrigerant returns to the evaporator coil inside the air conditioner, and the cycle repeats.
- The air conditioner continues to operate until the desired temperature is reached in the room. The thermostat monitors the room temperature and signals the AC to cycle on and off as needed to maintain the set temperature.
Main Types of Air Conditioners
Now that you know the science behind how an air conditioner works, let’s move on to the next thing.
Air conditioners come in many shapes and sizes. They’re made by different manufacturers, have different features and functionality, and can be used for different purposes.
Here are the main types of air conditioners that you’ll find on the market today:
Window Air Conditioner
Do you know how does a window air conditioner work? The window air conditioner is designed to fit into a standard window opening. It works by pulling in hot air from the room and pushing it outside, where it is cooled by passing through the refrigeration coil.
Split Air Conditioner
A split system is great because it’s more efficient than other types of air conditioners, but it may require more installation work than other models do because there are two parts: one part sits inside your home or office (the indoor unit), while the other part sits outside your home or office (the outdoor unit). These two parts are connected by pipes, which carry refrigerant back and forth between them. This type of system typically requires professional installation because it involves installing pipes through walls or ceilings—though this can vary depending on your split system (see below). It’s also important to note that these systems are typically more expensive than window units.
Central Air Conditioning System
A central air conditioning system is typically used in large homes or businesses. But how does a central air conditioner work? Central air conditioning systems provide cooling and heating through a single unit that is installed in your home’s HVAC system. This type of air conditioner can be used to cool or heat your entire home, but it demands a lot of power to work.
Portable Air Conditioner
Do you know how does a portable air conditioner work? Portable air conditioners are designed to cool and heat one room at a time, making them an amazing option for those who live in apartments or small homes with limited space. Portable air conditioners are less expensive than central units but may not offer as much power or comfort.
When to Service Your Air Conditioners?
When you’re in the middle of a heat wave, only one thing matters: air conditioning.
But what if your air conditioner isn’t working as well as it should? Do you just keep using it until it breaks down completely? Or is it time to take proactive steps to keep your system up and running?
The following are some guidelines on when to service your air conditioners:
Annual Maintenance
One of the best ways to make sure your air conditioner is doing its job right is to have it serviced by a skilled Ductless AC and Mini Split Air Conditioning technician once a year. This will check for any issues with the internal workings of the system, as well as ensure there are no more leaks or other issues that could damage your home.
Seasonal Start-up
If you live in an area where temperatures fluctuate wildly during the year, you’ll probably want to start your air conditioner before each season begins. This will ensure that all parts of your system are ready and working properly when they’re needed most.
Irregular Performance
If you hear strange noises from your unit or notice that it’s cooling unevenly (for example, the upstairs is significantly warmer than downstairs), it might be time for a checkup.
Airflow or Air Quality Issues
If you’re noticing an unusual amount of moisture on the walls or ceiling of your home, or if there are musty smells coming from vents and ducts, this could point to a problem with your cooling system.
Regular Filter Maintenance
You should always be cleaning or replacing your filter every 3 months or as soon as you feel that the air coming out of your vents isn’t as clean and crisp as it should be. If you don’t replace your filter regularly, it can cause damage to your system which can lead to increased energy bills and more frequent repairs.
Need To Repair Your Air Conditioning Unit? Call Stay Cool Climate Control!
If you’re having trouble with your air conditioning unit, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.
Stay Cool Climate Control is a locally-owned and operated company that offers ductless AC and mini split air conditioning services in O’Fallon, MO. We’ve been doing this since 2019, and we’ve helped thousands of customers keep their homes cool.
We know how important it is to have reliable air conditioning service, which is why we offer same-day service on most repairs. Our technicians are fully licensed, trained, and insured, and are trained to handle all types of air conditioning units, including:
* Central air conditioning units
* Window air conditioners
* Split system air conditioners
They will work quickly and efficiently, so you don’t have to deal with hot temperatures for long. We want you to be comfortable in your home, so we offer high-quality equipment that will keep you cool for years to come.
We’re the go-to O’Fallon Comfort Advisors in Action for all things air conditioner repair in O’Fallon, MO, and the surrounding area. We offer a wide range of services, including:
– Air conditioner repair
– Air conditioner replacement
– Air conditioner installation
– Air duct cleaning
– Furnace repair and maintenance
– Water heater repair and maintenance
We offer 24/7 emergency services so that you can get help when you need it most. If you have an issue with your unit, we will respond quickly and resolve it right away so that you won’t have to worry about being uncomfortable during one of those hot summer nights!
We also offer regular maintenance plans so that our technicians can come out on a regular basis and perform preventive maintenance on your system before any problems arise!
So, if you have any issues with your air conditioner unit, feel free to call us at (636) 542-8600!