Keeping It Cool: How AC Keeps Homes and Businesses Comfortable
A breath of cold, fresh air after a day sweltering in the summer sun is all anyone could ask for. Homes and businesses with air conditioning take for granted that sweet relief, but when the AC suddenly dies, the first thing anyone thinks of is: what broke?
When it comes to AC, several vital components help to provide the cold air a building needs to stay cool during hot temperatures. Discover the parts that make up an air conditioner and how they work together to make a home comfortable!
Cool Components: Anatomy of the AC
There are nine main AC components split up between three general locations in and around a home.
Outside Units Components
- Fan: Helps to move air through the system
- Compressor: Pressurizes refrigerant
- Condenser Coils: Releases collected heat from the system
Inside Unit Components
- Evaporator Coil: Absorbs heat that converts into a vapor
- Expansion Valve: Depressurizes refrigerant
- Refrigerant: Collects and carries heat out of a home through the AC system
Extraneous Components
- Thermostat: Tracks a home’s temperature and communicates with the furnace and AC
- Ductwork: Circulates cold air through a home
Working Together: How the Parts Work
The Refrigeration Cycle
Step 1: The thermostat registers a home’s temperature has risen above the desired level and kicks on the AC. Refrigeration flows through the closed circuit of refrigeration lines running between the house and the air conditioning unit.
Step 2: The air conditioner’s fan pulls hot air from the house and blows it over the cold lines.
Step 3: Refrigerant absorbs the heat, which the unit’s exterior condenser coil expels.
Step 4: The warm refrigerant travels through the condenser coil to the expansion valve, converting the refrigerant from liquid to gas.
Step 5: The expansion valve releases the cooled gaseous refrigerant, which travels through the evaporator, discharging cold air into the home’s ductwork to cycle through the house.
Step 6: The process begins again.
The AC Professional’s Role
Air conditioners are essential to enjoying a comfortable summer season in the home. A quality air conditioner will last decades if well maintained. Of course, it’s maintaining the air conditioner that is the challenge. Most homeowners don’t have experience working with hazardous refrigerants, electrical wiring, or heavy equipment of an air conditioning system. They shouldn’t attempt to work on the expensive machinery: that’s what an AC professional is for!
HVAC specialists take care of the cooling and heating system components, including the ductwork, thermostat, and outside air conditioning unit. Their role starts with installing air conditioners, refrigerant lines, and thermostats and continues through the life of the air conditioning system. They handle the refilling of refrigerants, the maintaining and cleaning of coils and filters, and the eventual replacement or repairs of air conditioning components. An HVAC specialist should attend to air conditioning and heating systems once a year to ensure they are in good working order before the cold or hot seasons arrive.
With the help of an HVAC expert, homeowners and business owners alike can learn how their air conditioning works and have a trustworthy expert keeping it in top shape for the summer.
About Barker Heating & Cooling
At Barker Heating & Cooling, the customer is considered family. Family doesn’t get charged extra for emergencies and is never left hanging without help - and Barket Heating & Cooling stands by those rules. Homeowners will always have the support and expertise they need from their technicians to handle any HVAC problem, no matter what time it is. Call now for AC services!
