Joseph is an HVAC technician and a hobbyist blogger. He’s been working as an HVAC technician for almost 13 years, and he started blogging just...Read more
There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes to keep your home cool and comfortable during those sweltering summer months. Let’s take a look at how your central air conditioning system works to keep you cool all season long.
Your central AC system has three main components: an evaporator, a condenser, and a compressor.
The evaporator is located inside your home, while the condenser and compressor are located outside.
The evaporator coil contains refrigerant that absorbs heat from the air in your home. As the refrigerant passes through the coil, it vaporizes from a liquid into a gas.
This process removes heat from the air, which is then blown by a fan across the Coil and into your home.
Meanwhile, the now-hot refrigerant gas travels to the condenser where it is cooled back down into a liquid form by passing over another set of coils filled with cool Freon gas.
How Does a Central Air Conditioner Work? — HVAC Repair Tips
The evaporator coils and condenser coils are the two most important parts of your central air conditioning system. The evaporator coils are located in the plenum or main duct above the furnace. The condenser coils are located in a metal cabinet outside the home.
The refrigerant starts out as a low-pressure liquid in the evaporator coils. As it absorbs heat from the indoor air, it vaporizes into a high-pressure gas. This gas then flows to the condenser coils, where it gives off its heat to the outdoor air and returns to a liquid state.
Q: How Does My Central Air Conditioning Work
A: How Does My Central Air Conditioning Work?
Most people don’t know how their central air conditioning works. Here is a basic rundown of how it works to keep your home cool and comfortable all summer long.
Your central air conditioner has two main parts: the condenser and the evaporator. The condenser is usually located outside the home on a concrete pad. The evaporator is located inside the home, often in the attic or basement.
The condenser contains a cooling coil and a compressor. The cooling coil releases heat from the refrigerant as it passes through. The compressor pumps refrigerant vapor back into the coils to start the process over again.
The evaporator also contains a cooling coil. As warm air from your home blows over this coil, it absorbs heat from the air, cooling it down in the process. This cooled air is then blown back into your home through ductwork by a fan.
As you can see, both parts of your central AC system play an important role in keeping your home cool and comfortable during those hot summer months!
The System Includes an Outdoor Unit, Which Contains the Condenser And Compressor, And an Indoor Unit, Which Houses the Evaporator
Most people are familiar with the basic components of an air conditioner: an outdoor unit that contains a condenser and compressor, and an indoor unit that houses the evaporator. However, there is more to how these systems work than meets the eye. In this article, we will take a closer look at how air conditioners function and what their main components are.
The system works by circulating refrigerant through the indoor and outdoor units. The refrigerant picks up heat from inside your home as it passes through the evaporator coils and then releases that heat outside as it goes through the condenser coils. This process continues until your desired temperature is reached.
The main components of an air conditioner include:
Compressor: The compressor is responsible for circulating the refrigerant throughout the system. It is located in the outdoor unit and its job is to compress the refrigerant gas so that it can pick up more heat.
Evaporator coils: These coils are located in the indoor unit and their job is to absorb heat from inside your home. The refrigerant circulates through these coils and picks up heat as it does so. This warmed refrigerant gas then goes on to the compressor where it gets compressed and cooled back down again.
Condenser coils: These coils are also located in the outdoor unit and their job is to release heat that has been picked up by the refrigerant from inside your home. The compressed refrigerant gas passes through these coils where it gives off its heat before going back into evaporator coil to start absorbing more heat again.
A Freon Refrigerant Circulates between These Units, Absorbing Heat from Inside Your Home And Releasing It Outside
Freon is a brand name for a group of chemicals called fluorocarbons, which are used in a variety of applications such as refrigerants, solvents and propellants. Freon refrigerants are among the most common types of air conditioners and heat pumps. In these systems, a Freon refrigerant circulates between units inside your home and outside, absorbing heat from inside your home and releasing it outside.
While Freon has been used safely for many years, it has come under scrutiny in recent years due to its potential contribution to global warming. As a result, the production of Freon-based products is being phased out by 2020. If you have an older air conditioning or heat pump system that uses Freon, you may need to have it serviced or replaced sooner rather than later.
Q: How Can I Keep My Central Air Conditioner Running Efficiently
Assuming you have a central air conditioner:
One of the best ways to keep your central air conditioner running efficiently is to make sure that it is properly sized for your home. An improperly sized air conditioner will have to work harder to cool your home, which will use more energy and drive up your utility bills.
You can also improve the efficiency of your air conditioner by regularly replacing the filter. A dirty filter will restrict airflow and make the unit work harder to cool your home. Depending on the type of filter you have, you should replace it every one to three months.
Another way to keep your air conditioner running efficiently is to schedule regular maintenance appointments with a qualified technician. During these appointments, the technician will clean the unit, check for any potential problems, and make any necessary adjustments or repairs.
You Should Also Have Your System Checked by a Professional Every Few Years to Make Sure Everything is in Good Working Order
If you have a central heating and cooling system in your home, it is important to have it serviced regularly. A professional can check for any potential problems and make sure that the system is running efficiently. Having your system serviced every few years can help to prolong its life and keep your home comfortable all year round.
Q: What are Some Signs That My Central Air Conditioner Needs Repair
If your central air conditioner isn’t working as well as it used to, there are a number of potential causes. First, check the thermostat to make sure it’s set properly. If it is, then you may need to clean or replace the air filter.
Dirty filters can restrict airflow and cause the system to work harder than necessary. Other potential issues include a refrigerant leak, dirty coils, or a failed compressor. If your AC unit is making strange noises or emitting odd smells, it’s also worth calling in a professional for an inspection.
If You Notice Any of These Problems, It’S Best to Call a Professional for Help
If you notice any of the following problems in your home, it is best to call a professional for help:
1. Water leaks or puddles around your water heater – This could be a sign of a serious problem with your water heater, such as a ruptured tank. A professional can inspect your water heater and make the necessary repairs.
2. Your furnace isn’t heating evenly – If you notice that some rooms in your home are much warmer or cooler than others, it could be due to an issue with your furnace. A professional can take a look at your furnace and make sure that it is functioning properly.
3. You have excess moisture in your home – If you notice condensation on windows, walls, or floors, this could be due to excess moisture in the air.
This could be caused by several factors, such as improper ventilation or a leaky roof. A professional can help you determine the cause of the moisture and make the necessary repairs.
Conclusion
In hot weather, the last thing you want is for your central air conditioner to stop working. But before you call a repairman, it helps to understand how your AC unit works.
Your AC unit has two main parts: an evaporator and a condenser.
The evaporator is located inside your home, while the condenser is outside.
The evaporator contains a cooling coil that absorbs heat from the air in your home. This causes the refrigerant in the coil to vaporize.
The condenser contains a second cooling coil that helps to cool down the refrigerant vapor from the evaporator. This causes the vapor to condense back into liquid form.
The cooled liquid refrigerant then flows back into the evaporator where the cycle starts all over again.
Joseph is an HVAC technician and a hobbyist blogger. He’s been working as an HVAC technician for almost 13 years, and he started blogging just a couple of years ago. Joseph loves to talk about HVAC devices, their uses, maintenance, installation, fixing, and different problems people face with their HVAC devices. He created Hvacbuster to share his knowledge and decade of experiences with people who don’t have any prior knowledge about these devices.
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