Learning About Air Conditioners and How They Work

Learning About Air Conditioners

The public has wanted to know how their air conditioner works for many years. It is one of the most frequently asked questions in the HVAC business. This could be because people are genuinely interested in how the system works or they may want to avoid costly emergency AC repair.

While the air conditioner is a complex series of working parts that all operate in tandem to cool your home, there is a lot that homeowners can learn about their system. In this article, experts share their knowledge with you to explain the inner workings of the common AC unit.

The Main Components in Your Air Conditioner

Compressor
Condenser
Evaporator coil
Refrigerant

The general makeup of an air conditioner is simple. There aren’t many parts involved that keep AC units going. These four simple AC parts work together seamlessly to keep the air at a sufficient temperature within your home.

It is only when your home reaches the desired temperature set on the thermostat, that the AC unit will turn off and rest. Replacing these parts isn’t the most expensive thing in the world, but it is never desirable.

In order to keep your AC unit in efficient working condition all year round, it’s important to get a yearly maintenance check performed to ensure everything is in good working order.

How It All Works

Your air conditioner may seem intimidating at first, but when you learn there are only four main parts that make it work, the intimidation falls short. Essentially, the refrigerant lives in the evaporator coil and is pushed toward the compressor to get heated up.

This may seem counterintuitive at first, but the refrigerant has to be turned into vapor in order to enter your home. That is why the compressor heats up the refrigerant.

Once the refrigerant has reached a vapor state, it is sent to the condenser where the heat from the vapor is absorbed into the outside air. What is left is the cool air that is then sent through your house. As mentioned above, this process is repeated until the home has reached its desired temperature.

Alongside these four main parts, each air conditioner is also full of a ton of circuits and wires, which keep the four parts moving and working properly. This intricate wiring system is actually what keeps the unit working, and if something happens to these wires you will need to call a professional.

When to Call for Professional Help

Now that you know the basics of your air conditioning unit, you may be thinking you can fix a seemingly minor problem on your own. This is most certainly not the case.

Air conditioners have a simple chain-line type of structure, but it is how each moving part works that is the dangerous part. Your AC unit runs on electricity, which means that any problem will stem from the electrical system within the unit.

Therefore, the risk for electrocution skyrockets if you aren’t a trained professional. Tradesmen are taught how to handle almost any electrical situation that could arise on the job site. Save yourself time and money and hire a professional to get the job done safely and efficiently.

Lascko Services Works Hard for You

Lascko Services is a top-rated HVAC company in Muskegon, MI with superior customer service. They have been a part of the community since 1999 and the residents of the community trust Lascko Services for all of their HVAC needs.