In order to determine when your air conditioner in Easton, MD needs professional maintenance, you need to understand how it works. Knowing about AC technology can help you make informed decisions about your cooling system’s service needs, resulting in optimal system performance. Here are the basic concepts governing the operation of an AC system, along with the vital components that make it functional.
How Air Conditioners Function
Air conditioners employ an indoor/outdoor cycle of refrigeration to cool the air in enclosed spaces. The cooling process begins indoors, as the evaporator coil, which is the primary location where the refrigerant absorbs heat from the inside air, causing it to evaporate. The compressor then compresses the refrigerant, raising its temperature and pressure.
Afterwards, the hot refrigerant flows outside and through the condenser coil, releasing heat to the outdoor air. The liquid refrigerant then passes through an expansion valve, reducing its pressure before returning to the evaporator coil to repeat the refrigeration cycle. This process works continuously, allowing it to effectively extract heat and create a cooler and more comfortable environment.
Major Components of an Air Conditioner
During the cooling process, your AC relies on two primary coils: the indoor evaporator coil and the outdoor condenser coil. These coils continually cycle the refrigerant back and forth. They play a crucial role in the cooling process, with evaporation and condensation working in tandem to cool your home.
The inside evaporator coil is crucial in extracting heat from your home by vaporizing the refrigerant. The outside condenser coil facilitates the conversion of the refrigerant into liquid form, releasing heat to the outdoor environment. If these coils become obstructed by dirt or debris, the entire cooling process is compromised.
Refrigerant is a chemical substance that circulates through your air conditioning system. Its job is to absorb heat from the indoor air and then release it to the outdoor air through the condenser coils. If your AC system has a very low refrigerant level, there’s probably a leak since the system should not deplete this substance easily.
The compressor is the heart of an air conditioner, indispensable for the cooling process. Its role is to raise the temperature of the refrigerant and apply pressure to it, enabling it to move smoothly between the coils. This allows the condenser and evaporator coils to work harmoniously, resulting in the efficient extraction of heat from your home.
Encountering issues with the compressor can be disheartening since compressor repairs are usually costly. Such expensive AC repairs might warrant a more cost-efficient purchase of a replacement system, especially if it’s nearing the end of its useful life.
Where to Find the Components
The condenser is located in the outdoor unit and works with the indoor compressor. It receives the high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant from the compressor and releases heat to the outside environment. As the refrigerant loses heat, it condenses back into a hot liquid form.
The expansion valve lies between the indoor and outdoor units, actively controlling the flow of refrigerant between the condenser and evaporator. Once the outdoor condenser releases the high-temperature liquid refrigerant, it becomes too hot for the evaporator coil. Therefore, the expansion valve reduces the refrigerant’s pressure, effectively cooling it down before it reaches the evaporator coil.
The blower fan is in the indoor unit. It effectively circulates conditioned air throughout your living spaces. It works by drawing warm air from a room, passing it over the evaporator coils for cooling, then blowing the cooled air back inside.
How to Effectively Maintain Your AC
- Schedule an annual AC inspection with our experts to ensure optimal system performance.
- Clear vegetation and debris around the outdoor unit for unobstructed airflow.
- Periodically clean the condensation tray to prevent harmful biological growth.
- Upgrade the air filter for improved indoor air quality.
- Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for proper filter selection.
We offer round-the-clock professional heating and cooling emergency services for your residential property, ensuring optimal indoor comfort throughout the year. Contact us at Griffith Energy Services today for professional AC installations, repairs, and maintenance services.
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