Air Conditioning is the system that cools the air. It can be centrally controlled in new buildings or installed as a ductless mini-split in existing homes.
There are three main mechanical parts to an air conditioner – the compressor, condenser and evaporator coil. Keep reading the article below to learn more about 24 Hour HVAC Company.
1. Refrigerant
Cool air circulates around your home thanks to a few important components like fans and thermostats, but the main player in this process is refrigerant. Also known as freon, it plays an integral role in the chemical reaction that moves heat from inside your house to outside your home. While air conditioning is the primary application, refrigerant also serves as a medium for moving heat in other refrigeration systems. It has the unique ability to easily transform from a gas into a liquid and back again. This is what allows it to absorb and release heat, moving it between the evaporator coil and the condenser coil in your AC system.
Refrigerants are tricky substances. They must exist as a gas at room temperature, be easily compressed to a liquid and absorb significant heat when they evaporate. Fortunately, there are a variety of different refrigerant gases to choose from. Some are even safer than others (although they all have their own set of safety risks). Common refrigerant types include chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons. However, these are being phased out for their negative effects on the ozone layer and other environmental concerns. Refrigerants with lower global warming potentials such as propane, isobutane and ammonia are now being used.
The refrigerant cycle begins in your compressor. As the liquid-like refrigerant enters the compressor, it is pressurized and superheated to a high temperature. This creates a physical force that causes molecules to bounce around and collide more frequently. This, in turn, converts their kinetic energy into heat. The resulting heat energy is expelled from the system by the compressor’s exhaust, which is usually located in your home’s attic or crawlspace.
Once the refrigerant exits the compressor it flows into the evaporator in its liquid state. It then absorbs radian heat from the air passing over the copper coils. This drops its temperature, which enables it to return to the evaporator in its gaseous state. The heat is then expelled from the evaporator with help from a fan blowing air over the coils.
Then, the entire cycle begins again. Your refrigerator, air conditioner and other heating and cooling systems rely on this continuous cycle of evaporation and condensation to keep your home comfortable. But just like a musician can only play so many songs before it strains, your system will eventually wear out without the right refrigerant charge.
2. Compressor
The compressor is the heart of your air conditioning system. It takes the low-pressure, cool refrigerant gas and increases its pressure and temperature. This transformation is critical for the rest of the AC system to work. A failed compressor means your AC won’t work — or at least it won’t work well.
In music terms, think of the compressor as a fader. When an engineer is playing a track, they have to set the level at which they want to start bringing the fader down (the threshold). Once they reach that point it starts to reduce the dynamic range of the signal – if the engineer’s had too much caffeine and is sluggish that would be called a long attack, while if they are frantic and a quick release this is called a short attack.
Similarly, the compressor in an air conditioner is responsible for changing the temperature of refrigerant from a liquid to a hot gas and then back again. This temperature change is critical for the other parts of your AC system to function properly, and it also affects how efficiently your air conditioner operates. The more efficient the AC unit, the lower your energy bills will be and the better it will keep your car cool.
The air compressor is located in the outdoor unit and is connected to the rest of the AC system through copper refrigerant piping. When the AC is turned on, an electromagnetic clutch activates the compressor and allows it to pressurize the refrigerant before it enters the condenser. The compressor can be one of several types: reciprocating, rotary or scroll. Most modern air conditioning systems use a compressor known as a scroll type.
The compressor is driven by a belt that runs over a pulley, and the pulley is connected to the engine block via the V-belt. When the air conditioner is switched on, an electromagnetic clutch sets this belt to run and drive the compressor using power from the engine.
3. Condenser
The condenser is a crucial component of your air conditioning system. This is the component that transfers heat from the vapor refrigerant to the outdoor air, helping your AC cool your home. It is a large metal box on the outside of your house with a fan inside. You may see it surrounded by a grating to prevent objects from falling into the fan, and it has tubing for both the vapor refrigerant entering and exiting the unit, as well as an electric power supply for the motorized fan.
When the vapor refrigerant enters the condenser, it is hot and under high pressure. It goes through the condenser coils, which look similar to a car radiator. The hottest part of your AC is the compressor, so the condenser is there to absorb any excess heat from it. This helps the vapor refrigerant to lose its heat more quickly and move on to the next step of the cooling cycle.
While the condenser is a key component of your air conditioner, it can suffer from various problems. One common issue is that it can’t get enough air flow. This can cause it to overheat, leading to a variety of issues. Another issue is that the coils can be clogged with debris and dirt, which prevents them from dispersing latent heat.
A professional technician will be able to diagnose any problems with your condenser, and they can recommend the best course of action. Regular professional maintenance by a qualified technician can help prevent these issues from arising in the first place. During maintenance, a technician will clean the condenser thoroughly and make sure that it has enough airflow. They will also look at the fins to ensure that they are straight, as these can often become bent over time.
Since the condenser is outdoors, it is more likely to be damaged by environmental factors than the indoor parts of your AC system. Dirt, leaves, grass clippings, and other items can clog the condenser and prevent it from cooling effectively. The condenser can also suffer from weld failure or cracking, which can lead to leaks and poor performance.
4. Evaporator
A dirty evaporator coil causes your air conditioner to work harder, which can wear down other components like the fan motor and compressor. It also reduces the energy efficiency of your system and leads to higher utility bills. This is why proper maintenance is essential for your AC’s health. Regular evaporator coil cleaning will keep your air conditioner running efficiently and extend its lifespan by years.
An evaporator is a heat exchanger that allows refrigerant to vaporize and cool air. It’s composed of a series of tubes and fins that create a large surface area for heat transfer. Air is drawn into the evaporator through a blower fan and forced over the coils to surrender its heat. The evaporator then chills the air and sends it through the house.
The evaporator is the only part of the air conditioning system that gets hot. The evaporator is typically made of copper tubing with aluminum fins that are spaced closely together to increase the surface area. This design improves the heat-transfer rate by allowing a greater amount of air to contact the refrigerant at any given time.
There are two main types of evaporator designs: the simple evaporator and the two-stage evaporator. The simple evaporator is composed of one or more calandrias (heating chambers) that convert liquid to vapor by adding heat. The calandrias are often heated to a specific temperature for optimum performance.
A second-stage evaporator has a separator that separates the vapor from the liquid. This type of evaporator can be used with low refrigerant levels since it can be operated at temperatures close to the dew point.
Dirty evaporator coils can cause your air conditioner to freeze because the refrigerant isn’t absorbing any heat from your home’s air. The dirt insulates the coil, which prevents it from transferring its own heat into your home. This results in your AC running and cooling your house, but you won’t feel any difference in the temperature of your home. To avoid this, check your evaporator coils regularly for dirt buildup. Clean your evaporator coils every other year to remove any obstructions and ensure they have a good flow of air.