When it comes to understanding how basic systems work, you can better discover the reason it is operating poorly or not at all. The central air conditioning system of your home has a basic operating system and with all the various components doing their parts, your cool air is adequately delivered throughout the home. With that in mind, we at New Start Heating and Air would like to shine the light on your central air conditioning’s inner workings.

Parts of an Air Conditioner & Their Functions

The primary components for central air conditioning consists of the duct work, the outdoor unit or condensing unit, and the inside unit or air handler/ furnace with coil as well as the thermostat. Generally the indoor unit is located in an out-of-the-way location such as the basement or attic space. The job of the indoor unit is to pump the chilled air throughout the home with aid of the air ducts. The thermostat, one or more, dictates the power, temperatures, and other such settings. Running on electricity, the central air conditioning removes the heat from the air with refrigerant. A whole sequence of events takes place as soon as the thermostat is set, signaling the air conditioning system to lower the overall temperature of the house hold.

Purpose of Air Filter in Home

Initially, the air-handler, or indoor unit starts up and begins drawing in the air from the room of the various locations in the household using the return-air ducts. As the air is cycled through the ducts, it passes through the air filters where the airborne contaminates, allergens, and particulates are collected and contained, allowing for increased indoor air quality. For those that invest in more sophisticated filters, the microscopic pollutants in air are also removed. After the air is treated and cooled, it circulates through the air-supply ducts and is dispersed in the various rooms.

Split VS Packaged AC Unit

The refrigerant, found in the evaporator coils, is responsible for cooling the air. The air conditioning has three primary components; Compressor, Condenser, and Evaporator. The typical split system found frequently in homes contains the condenser and compressor within the same unit that is located outside. The evaporator is found mounted in the air handler unit, or the forced-air furnace. Package systems combined all three primary components in the outdoor unit, which is either on the ground next to the structure or on the roof.

Refrigerant Definition & Properties

The outdoor compressor and condenser coil connect to the indoor unit by the evaporator coils to produce the cooling effect of the central air conditioning. The copper tubing that runs between the components is circulating the refrigerant. Changing from liquid to gas back to a liquid, the refrigerant receives and releases heat as it raises and lowers in temperature. As the refrigerant circulates through the indoor coils, the refrigerant is especially cold. The refrigerant absorbs so much heat from the air that it turns into vapor, as the air handler pushes warm air across the coil. Jettisoning the heat, the refrigerant in vapor form, travels to the compressor that pressurizes it to allow it to move through the outdoor coils. With the fan, the heat dissipates. Refrigerant passes through an expansion device to convert it to a liquid that is low temperature and low-pressure, returning to the indoor coil; and the cycle continues.

AC Tune Up Maintenance, Repairs & More in Douglasville, Newnan, Dallas, Carrollton & West Atlanta Georgia

If you are experiencing any problems with your central air conditioning system, contact New Start Heating and Air today!