While air conditioners seem like super technical and complicated devices, you don’t need to be a licensed technician to understand how they work. In reality, most cooling systems only rely on four main components and refrigerant to get the job done.
If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about how your AC keeps your home cool, Channell Heating & Cooling is here to serve as your trusted source of air conditioner information!
Air Conditioner Components
It’s a lot easier to understand how a system works once you’re familiar with all of the parts. Here’s a list of key air conditioning parts and a brief explanation of what they all do:
- Evaporator coil — transfers heat from the indoor air to the cool refrigerant
- Compressor — compresses warmed refrigerant vapor to raise the temperature
- Condenser coil — releases heat to change refrigerant gas back into a liquid
- Expansion valve — reduces pressure to rapidly cool liquid refrigerant
Now that you have a better understanding of your AC’s main components, the next step is learning how all of these pieces work together to keep your home cool!
How Your AC Cools Your Home
Refrigerant
Refrigerant is the substance that connects all of the components in your cooling system. As it cycles through your air conditioner, the refrigerant constantly changes from a liquid to a gas and back again as it’s heated and cooled during different stages.
Cold Side
The cold side of your air conditioning system contains the evaporator coil and a fan that pushes air over the cold coils before the cooled air moves through your ductwork and into your entire home. Cold side components are housed inside your home, near the area where you typically replace your air filter.
As warm air comes into contact with the cold coils, energy is transferred from the air to the coils causing the air to cool down.
Hot Side
The compressor and condenser are the hot side components found in the outdoor unit. The hot side is where the refrigerant is able to transport the heat energy it collected from the air indoors and release it outdoors.
Once the heat is released, the refrigerant is cooled back down and pumped back into the cold coils.
Expansion Valve
The expansion valve isn’t part of the cold or hot side, but is still an important part in the system. The expansion valve serves as the refrigerant regulator to ensure that the right amount of refrigerant is delivered to the evaporator coils to promote proper cooling.
A malfunctioning expansion valve can be a big problem for your AC if it sends the wrong amount of refrigerant down the line. If your expansion valve becomes stuck or clogged, it can cause your air conditioner to overheat and break down.
Your Trusted Hazlehurst AC Team!
No matter how familiar you may be with air conditioning systems, it’s always best to contact a licensed AC technician to assist you with any necessary repairs and maintenance. For all of your AC repair and installation needs in the Hazlehurst area, Channell Heating & Cooling has got you covered! Contact us today to schedule a consultation!
