How Well Do You Know Your AC Operation?

Air conditioning systems are arguably the most important installations in homes particularly in places like, Pembroke Pines, Florida which experience hot summers and very cold winters. AC units help to keep your house cool and to some extent help you to dehumidify your house. Knowing how your ac system operates is important because any problem that may result will be easier for you to troubleshoot and find a local solution before contacting the HVAC experts.

Dissected AC

Irrespective of the type and model of ac system installed in your home, there are 5 basic components that these systems contain. Together, they help in taking heat out of your home and effectively replacing it with cool air. These components include the AC compressor, refrigerant, AC condenser, expansion valve and the evaporator coil.

The AC Compressor

This is the component responsible for propelling the refrigerant throughout the system. The refrigerant normally comes to the ac compressor with a considerably lower amount of pressure and is then pushed to the other parts of the ac unit using higher pressure from the compressor. This causes the compressor to heat up and convert the refrigerant into a high vapor that is easily taken in by the other components.

The AC Condenser

From the compressor, the vaporized refrigerant gets into the ac condenser. At this point, the condenser fan and its coils cool the vapor down. The cooling effect converts the refrigerant into a hot liquid. This prepares it to move on to the expansion valve where it continues with its mission of converting the warm indoor air that came from your home into cool air which is returned back to the house.

Expansion Valve

The low pressure present in one of the openings in the expansion valve converts the hot liquid refrigerant into a cool mist. The mist is then let out of the expansion valve and while at the exit opening, it is converted into a low pressured and cooled liquid.

Evaporator Coil

The expansion valve feeds the refrigerant into the evaporator coil. This is where the refrigerant interacts with the warm air inside your home. The evaporator coil heats up the air from within your home while the cooled liquid refrigerant cools the air. Once the air has been sufficiently cooled, the evaporator coil then pushes it into your home via the air vents.

Refrigerant

This is the lifeblood of your AC system. It is the liquid that absorbs the heat from the warm air hence cooling it. This liquid interacts with every component of your AC system and is normally carried in copper tubes. There are different types of refrigerants available today but the one that is recommended and frequently used by most AC units is R410A. It is environmentally friendly and has a higher heat carrying capacity thereby making it an excellent cooling agent.

From time to time, you should contact professional HVAC experts to help you assess the condition of each of these AC components. The refrigerator normally needs inspection and recharging on a regular basis.

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