Do you know how your air conditioner cools?
Your air conditioner is arguably the most important large appliance in your home during the cooling season. You may not notice it when it is working properly, but you sure notice it when it is not working 100%. Each part of an air conditioner plays a crucial role. If one part isn’t working right, the whole system will not work right.
It’s never a good idea to attempt to fix your air conditioner yourself. However, the below definitions can help you understand what your contractor is talking about when they come to work on your heating and cooling equipment.
Compressor. Any central cooling HVAC system uses a compressor. It compresses the refrigerant in your system to get it to the correct pressure and temperature before the refrigerant moves on to the condenser coil.
Condenser Coil. One of two coils that are a part of your central cooling system. The condenser coil is located outdoors (in a split system) and is where heat is removed from the refrigerant – condensing the refrigerant into a liquid.
Evaporator Coil. This is the second of two coils that are located in your central cooling system. In a split system, the evaporator coil is located indoors and is where refrigerant absorbs heat from the air.
Linset. The linset connects your indoor and outdoor equipment (in a split system) and is responsible for circulating the refrigerant through your cooling system.
IAQ. Indoor air quality components are a crucial part of your cooling system. This category includes products that help purify the air, remove allergens, eliminate odors, etc.
Thermostat. Think of the thermostat as the “brains behind the operation.” This is where you control your comfort. A thermostat can be non-programmable, programmable, Wi-Fi compatible, etc.
Refrigerant. Arguably one of the most important components of your cooling system. Refrigerant is what facilitates the transfer of heat either into or out of the air blowing over one of the coils.
Remember, if you think something isn’t right, contact your local heating and cooling contractor. Never attempt to fix your cooling equipment yourself. In fact, now is the time to schedule spring preventative maintenance. This is the best way to avoid any potential problems that could cause a “no cool” call during the busy season.
Are there other cooling components that you want to learn more about?
hi,,thanks for sharing the blog!
It helped a lot when you mentioned how you should take the time to care for the compressor of your AC system in order to get it to last. I understand how anyone looking into this would also want to take the time to do some research and understand their own system works in order to get the best results. Personally, I would also want to take the time to consult with a professional in order to find the best quality parts for the type of system I have.