It’s common knowledge that your air conditioner’s main function is to transfer heat trapped inside your house to the environment outside. What’s less well-known is how your AC is able to do this.
To cool your house, your air conditioner converts liquid refrigerant (a substance that absorbs heat) into gas and pressurizes it. Here’s how your AC’s main components work together to do this:
Indoor blower fans and evaporator coils – The evaporator coil sits inside your indoor AC unit and contains extremely cold refrigerant. The indoor blower fan—one of two fans in your air conditioner—blows warm air over the evaporator coils. The cold liquid refrigerant in the evaporator coils absorbs the heat (in the process turning into a gas), and the chilled air is then dispersed by the indoor blower fans.
Compressor – Next, refrigerant in its gaseous form is diverted to the compressor located in the outdoor AC unit. The compressor then pressurizes the refrigerant and increases its temperature until it becomes hotter than the temperature outside. (Since heat tends to flow from warm areas to cooler ones, increasing the temperature of the refrigerant makes it easier to expel heat outdoors.) The refrigerant then flows to the condenser coils.
Condenser coils and outdoor blower fans – Your AC’s outdoor blower fans blow hot air past the condenser coils, which now contain pressurized refrigerant. As hot outdoor air blows past the condenser coils, heat within the refrigerant is transferred to the outdoor air.
Expansion valve – The refrigerant leaving the condenser coils is still a bit hot. That’s why your air conditioner has an expansion valve that depressurizes the refrigerant and lowers its temperature. After the refrigerant is cooled, it flows black to the evaporator coils to restart the cooling process.
Capacitors – Capacitors store electricity and provide a reliable power supply for your air conditioner’s motors. Since they’re also one of the most frequently-used parts of an AC, broken capacitors are the main reason for more than 80% of air conditioning service calls.
Air filters – Air filters remove particulates from the indoor air to maintain optimal air quality and circulation.
Thermostat – The thermostat, also known as the brain of the air conditioner, regulates how much chilled air is released into your home.
How Are Programmable Thermostats Different from Conventional Thermostats?
Programmable thermostats are better at regulating temperatures and saving energy than conventional thermostats. This is because programmable thermostats can be automatically set to lower or increase indoor temperatures. This means no more waiting for your AC to cool your home (you can set the thermostat to automatically lower the temperature before you get home) and more energy savings (you can set your programmable thermostat to adjust temperatures according to a daily schedule). To learn more about the advantages of installing a programmable thermostat, consult an air conditioning service company.
Dirt – Dirt on the evaporator coils lowers the amount of heat the refrigerant can absorb from the indoor air. Dirty evaporator coils also increase the strain on your AC’s compressor, which happens to be one of the most expensive components to replace. That’s why it’s important to have an air conditioning service technician routinely inspect your air conditioner.
Low refrigerant levels – As mentioned earlier, refrigerant is vital to the cooling process. If there isn’t enough of it, your air conditioner won’t be able to transfer heat. Warning signs that your AC is running low on refrigerant include unusually long cooling cycles, the build-up of ice on your evaporator coils and bubbling or hissing sounds.
What Low Refrigerant Levels Mean
Refrigerant is recirculated throughout the cooling system and isn’t used up by your air conditioner. This means low refrigerant levels are a sign some of your AC’s components have been damaged. In most cases, degraded copper tubing is the culprit behind refrigerant leaks. If you suspect your AC has a refrigerant leak, contact an HVAC repair contractor as soon as possible.
Change your air filters every three months. As a general rule, you should replace the air filters every three months, or every month if you have pets. Clogged air filters will not only lower indoor air quality, they’ll also increase the strain on your air conditioner.
Make sure nothing is blocking the air vents. If you have a central AC unit, make sure there isn’t any furniture blocking the air vents. As a general rule, there should be at least six inches of clearance around your air vents.
Schedule an AC inspection at least twice a year. Through routine inspections and maintenance, your HVAC repair technician can fix underlying issues before they start affecting your air conditioner’s performance.
Keep in mind that maintenance can only do so much. If your air conditioner is more than 15 years old and suffers frequent breakdowns, you should replace it. Over time, wear and tear will eventually take its toll on your AC’s sensitive components and cause the unit to malfunction more frequently.
Why replace your AC when you can simply have it repaired? In the short term, repairs may seem like a more cost-effective choice. However, repair costs can quickly add up. Not to mention aging AC units—which become less efficient over time—consume more electricity, which in turn increases your utility bills. That’s why, in the long run, it makes more financial sense to get an AC replacement, which can save you roughly $200 in yearly electricity costs.
How to Choose an AC Replacement
Keep in mind that not all air conditioners have the same level of energy efficiency. Before choosing an AC unit, you should consider these factors:
Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) ratings – The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the AC unit. Ideally, your AC replacement should have a SEER rating above 20.
Here’s a tip: To assess an AC unit’s energy efficiency, look for the ENERGY STAR® sticker. Compared to conventional cooling units, ENERGY STAR-certified ACs have higher SEER ratings and use eight percent less energy.
AC type – Some types of ACs are better suited to certain kinds of homes. For instance, due to their efficiency in distributing cool air over large spaces, central AC units are a great choice for large homes. Remember: When choosing an AC replacement, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach.
What Are the Different Types of Air Conditioners?
Other than central ACs, what are the other types of air conditioners? Here’s an overview:
Ductless or mini-split AC systems – A ductless or mini-split air conditioner is a smart choice if your family members spend a lot of time in their own rooms. This is because certain ductless AC systems can have as many as four indoor handling units, which can turn individual rooms into cool zones, each of which has a dedicated thermostat that can adjust the temperature according to each family member’s preferences.
Window AC units – Due to their compact size, window AC units are perfect for homes that don’t have a lot of space.
To learn more about the different window types, consult an HVAC technician or search online to find “air conditioning repair technicians near me“.
One more thing: To ensure your new air conditioner is installed correctly, always vet an HVAC company before hiring them. Ask them how long they’ve been in business and the kinds of units they’ve serviced, and find out if their technicians are certified.
If you need an experienced HVAC technician, look up “air conditioning repair near me” and give Albert Air a call at (714) 526-6368, or fill out this form. We’ve been providing professional heating and cooling services to local residents since 1982. Schedule a consultation with one of our NATE-certified technicians today!