Exploring How AC Systems Work To Keep a Building Cool
In the heat of summer, air conditioning systems seem to work like magic. That cold, fresh air provides the relief everyone needs from the blazing sun. Ever wonder how it works? It’s not magic! AC systems work using the power of science, refrigerant, and essential parts that together create the oh-so-sweet cold air that keeps the house and building cold during the summer months. Explore the functions and pieces of an AC system below!
Understanding the Anatomy of an Air Conditioner
Five key components produce the cool air that homes and businesses need to keep cool:
- The Compressor: The compressor’s role is to press or pressurize and heat refrigerant as it passes from the inside AC components to the outside unit. The compressor is essential to keeping the refrigerant moving through the AC system: refrigerant releases collected heat under the pressure of the condenser and continues to flow through the system thanks to the continued pressure of the compressor.
- The Condenser: When the refrigerant leaves the compressor, it does so as a gas. The condenser’s job is to turn that refrigerant back into a liquid by rapidly releasing the heat from the refrigerant into the outdoor air.
- The Evaporator Coil: After leaving the condenser, the liquid refrigerant moves to the evaporator coil. Here, the coil extracts heat from the house, heating the refrigerant as the heat absorbs into the refrigerant.
- Indoor Fan: Fans blow warm air through the air conditioning system and circulate chilled air through the home.
- Refrigerant (and Its Lines): Refrigerant is the actual cooling component of the air conditioner. Without it, the coils and fans would do nothing to cool the house. Refrigerant moves along refrigerant lines built into the home. It absorbs heat, allowing the air cycling through the system to chill and cool a house.
Understanding How AC Parts Function
AC systems utilize the liquid-to-gas cycle to cool a home.
The compressor condenses and circulates a heated refrigerant, turning it from a gas to a liquid. This gas moves to the evaporator coil, evaporating the refrigerant into a gas, expelling hot air from the system. A fan blows cold air produced by the evaporation process through the home, while the refrigerant moves to the compressor before moving to the condenser that turns the gas back into a liquid. The process continues from there until the home has reached the desired temperature.
Understanding the Role of AC Professionals
But those years of training and expertise are exactly what an HVAC professional has! Their job is to keep an AC system running well for as long as possible and fixing any problems that arise. Routine maintenance of coils, filters, and fans are some of their most common tasks. Still, a seasoned HVAC expert will also install refrigerant lines in a home, replace a malfunctioning unit, and do any ductwork changes or retrofitting needed for an AC system to function properly.
When it comes to understanding an AC system, reach out to an HVAC expert for help. They’ll have all the know-how and skills needed to take care of an AC system and explain every step along the way.
About Anytime Plumbing, Inc
AC problems in Las Vegas, NV are no joke. Failed AC in the summer heat poses major risks to homeowners and families. That’s why the experts at Anytime Plumbing, Inc are available 24/7 to take care of any AC problems that spring up. They don’t charge for weekend or night work and prioritize affordability and service over making an extra buck. Give them a call to get started on your AC maintenance today!
