As temperatures rise during the spring and summer months, you’re going to need to know your way around your home’s air conditioning system. Understanding what components to look for if you hear weird noises or experience general issues is an integral part of keeping things (including your head) cool all summer long.
The six main air conditioning components that homeowners should be aware of are the thermostat, air blowing unit, air filter evaporator, condenser coil, and compressor.
Six main components of your air conditioning system
1. Thermostat
The most commonly known component of an air conditioning system, the thermostat helps you regulate how cool you want your home to be. Depending on the make or model of your air conditioner, you should be able to set your desired temperature manually or automatically. You can even upgrade to a smart thermostat that you can control with your phone!
2. Air Filter
The air filter is usually found attached to the air handler unit of the AC. The filter catches dirt, dust, and other small debris to protect the internal component of the air conditioning and improve air quality in your home. It’s important to replace your air filter based on the recommended schedule, as a clogged filter can add wear and tear to your equipment.
3. Blower
The blower is part of the air handler unit and pushes air over the evaporator, where the air is cooled. The blower then sends the cooled air through the ductwork to different areas of the home.
4. Evaporator
Usually located near the furnace (but could be in a separate indoor unit), the evaporator has one of the more cyclic, complex functions that keep your air conditioner going. Inside the evaporator coils is refrigerant. Through the process of heat transfer, the refrigerant captures heat from the air and is then pumped to the condenser coils, where the heat is released. Back inside, the air (now cooler from the heat being removed) continues through the AC system.
5. Condenser coil
The condenser coils are where the refrigerant releases heat outside the home. This component works to cool down any high-pressure gas and turns it into a liquid, getting it ready for your air conditioner’s evaporator.
6. Compressor
If your air conditioner is a car, the compressor would be the engine. The compressor functions together with refrigerant to convert low-pressure gas into high-pressure gas. This high-pressured gas then makes its way out of the compressor and into the condenser coil.
Air conditioning technicians in the Fredericksburg area
Those are the six main components of your air conditioning system with which you should be familiar. Now, if you suspect there’s an issue with your AC, you’ll be in a better position to identify the source. Of course, if you experience any serious problems with your cooling system, be sure to call the helpful team at Robert B. Payne, Inc. Whether you need maintenance or repairs for your air conditioning, we’re here to help. Schedule an appointment today at 540-373-5876.
Taken literally, air conditioning includes the cooling and heating of air, cleaning and controlling its moisture level as well as conditioning it to provide maximum indoor comfort.
An air conditioner transfers heat from the inside of a building, where it is not wanted, to the outside. Refrigerant in the system absorbs the excess heat and is then pumped through a closed system of piping to an outside coil. A fan blows outside air over the hot coil, transferring heat from the refrigerant to the outdoor air. Because the heat is removed from the indoor air, the indoor area is cooled.
An air conditioning system generally consists of five mechanical components:
- Compressor
- Fan
- Condenser Coil (Hot)
- Evaporator Coil (Cool)
- Chemical Refrigerant
Most central air conditioning systems include a “hot” side, outside your home, and a “cool” side, inside your home. The “hot” side generally consists of a condensing coil, a compressor and a fan.
The “cool” side is usually located within your furnace. The furnace blows air through an evaporator coil, which cools the air, and routes this cool air throughout your home using a series of air ducts.
The cleaning function of air conditioners is performed by filters, which remove dust and contaminants from the air. In some systems, the filters are permanent and can be washed periodically to remove accumulated dirt. Most systems have disposable filters which can be replaced. When filters become clogged, they restrict the flow of air and cause the system to operate inefficiently.
How a Heat Pump Works
A heat pump is like a conventional air conditioner except it also can provide heat in the winter. In the summer, the heat pump collects heat from the house and expels it outside. In the winter, the heat pump extracts heat from the outside air and circulates it inside the house. The heat pump works best when the outdoor temperature is above freezing. Below that, supplementary heat often is needed. A heat pump can save 30 to 60 percent less energy to supply the same heat when compared to an electric furnace with a resistance heating element.
Cooling Cycle
Refrigerant passes through the indoor coil, evaporating from a liquid to a vapor. As the liquid evaporates, it absorbs heat, cooling the air around the coil. An indoor fan pushes this cooled air through ducts inside the house. Meanwhile, the vaporized refrigerant laden with heat, passes through a compressor which compresses the vapor, raising it’s temperature and pressure. The reversing valve directs the flow of hot, high pressure vapor to the outdoor coil where the heat released during condensation is fanned into the outdoor air, and the cycle begins again.
Heating Cycle
During the heating cycle the refrigerant flows in reverse. Liquid refrigerant now flows to the outdoor coil picking up heat as it evaporates into a low pressure vapor.
The vapor travels through the compressor where it is compressed into a hot, high pressure vapor, then is directed by the reversing valve to the indoor coil.
Then vapor turns into liquid as it passes through the indoor coil, releasing heat that is pushed through the ducts by the indoor fan.
To keep our environment to our desired temperature, the air conditioning system is the device that helps us achieve that. The system is so common that one can experience its effect anywhere we enter. It can be installed in our house, office, cars, even a modern religious centre now have it. in short, it can be used in both domestic and commercial environments
Air conditioning is often referred to as aircon, AC or A/C. it features a fan that distributes the conditioned air to the enclosed space. The enclosed space is often building and car.
Today we’ll be looking at the definition, functions, components, diagram, classification, types, and working principle of an air conditioning system.
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What is an air conditioning system?
An air conditioning system is an electrical device that is purposely installed for the removal of heat and moisture from the interior of an occupied space. It is a process that is commonly used to achieve a more comfortable environment, basically for human and other animals.
Air conditioning system is also used to cool and dehumidify rooms that contain heat-producing electronic devices, such as computer server, power amplifiers. It also used in space that contains delicate products like artwork.
Cooling is generally achieved in the air conditioning system through a refrigeration cycle, but sometimes evaporation or free cooling is employed. The system can also be made based on desiccants (chemicals that eliminate moisture from the air). Most AC system stores and rejects heat in pipes called subterranean.
Functions of the air conditioning system
Below are the major functions of an air conditioning system in modern houses:
- The primary purpose of air conditioning is to create a room climate comfortable for humans.
- Some special type of conditioning system is used to cool the temperature of electric devices.
- It controls the humidity of a room as 30 to 65% is permitted while the temperature should be between 20 and 26 degrees Celsius.
- Air conditioning system affects the room air to comfort people and their productivity is not impeded.
- The condition of the air is characterized by temperature, pressure and humidity. The air pressure is not changed.
- Air conditioning system can be for heating, dehumidifying, cooling, and humidifying.
Components of an air conditioner
Below are the components of the air conditioner used for commercial purposes:
Compressor:
The compressor is the engine of the system as it works with a fluid that easily transforms the gas into a liquid. Its primary function is to convert low-pressure gas into a high-pressure gas, which has a high temperature. in its working, the gap regions between molecules get narrowed down with a produced energized gas. This energized gas which also known as a refrigerant is released from the compressor and enters the condenser.
Condenser Coil:
The condenser coil contains a fan that cools the high-pressure gas and converts it into a liquid. The product obtained used by the evaporator to do the work. The compressor and condenser are ones placed outside of the house.
Thermostat:
The thermostat maintains the temperature of an air conditioning system as it regulates the heat energy inside and outside of it. depending on the design, a thermostat can set manually or automatically.
Evaporator:
Evaporators are air conditioning components found inside the house near the furnace. It’s connected to the condenser with an extreme thin pipe. The high-pressure gas is transformed into a low-pressure liquid of the air conditioner. The liquid is then converted to gas due to the decreasing pressure. The fluid or refrigerant is what takes away the heat from the and cools it off. The evaporator releases the fluid in form of a gas in order to get compressed again by the compressor. All of these happens in a cyclic fashion.
Air Handler and Blowing Unit:
This air conditioner components work together to draw the air to the evaporator and distribute cool air over the room. A duct system facilitates the passage of airflow in the room.
The complete diagram of an air conditioning system:
Classification of the air conditioning system
We classify the air conditioning system in order to distinguish one type from another. This provides a background for selecting the optimum air conditioning system depending on the building requirements. An air conditioner can be classified into three categories which include:
Classification based on major function:
- Comfort air conditioning e.g. hotels, homes, offices etc.
- Commercial air conditioning e.g. malls, supermarket etc.
- Industrial air-conditioning e.g. processing, laboratories etc.
Classification based on the season in the year:
- A summer air conditioner which controls all four atmospheric condition for summer comfort.
- Winter air conditioner is designed for comfort in the winter.
- A year-round air conditioner which consists of heating and cooling tools with an automatic control that could serve in any weather condition in the year.
Classification based on equipment arrangement:
- These types include a unitary system and central system.
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Types of the air conditioning system
Below are the various types of air conditioning system available in our modern world:
Central Air Conditioning:
The central conditioning is the most common type of cooling system. It’s preferably used in larger homes because of its efficient cooling. the conditioning system circulates cool air through supply and returns ducts.
The supply ducts and registers are located on the wall or floors of the house supplying the air inside. Once the air becomes warm, it circulates back into the supply ducts and registers when it will be transferred back to the air conditioner.
Installing these types of air conditioning system requires deep thinking, planning and preparation. The sizing is crucial to the functionality of the system, installing a system that’s of the wrong size, even if efficient, the utility costs will be more than it should be.
Ductless, Mini-Split Air Conditioner:
The ductless, mini-split air conditioning system are also common but it’s modified with new parts. Just like the central conditioning type, these systems have an indoor handling unit and an outdoor compressor/condenser.
These types of air conditioning system are effective in cooling individual room because the system can as many as four indoor handling units. The handling unit is connected to the outdoor unit. Also, each handling unit has its own thermostat, which allows each of them to work at a different temperature. A particular part can be cooled in the system.
Window Air Conditioner:
A window air conditioner is a compact unit, ideal for cooling one particular room. The system is also known as a “unitary unit”, it’s installed in the window of a room. In its working, warm air is sent out through the back of the conditioning system and blows cool air through the front part. It’s perfect for those who secure small spaces and won’t be perfect for larger homes as it doesn’t cool effectively in such kind of environment.
Portable Air Conditioner:
These types of air conditioning system are specified as next-generation window unit cooling system. It takes air from the room and cools it then send it back into the room. It also vents warm air from outside, through an exhaust hose that’s installed in a window.
Just like the window air conditioning units, these types of system are also designed to cool only one room. They’re affordable, versatile, and also easy to install. Its portability makes it even more ideal.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling:
The geothermal energy is sustainable, energy-efficient, and has a long lifespan. These cooling and heating process is possible because the ground temperature always remains 55 degrees. It does not change no matter how hot or cold the temperature is. Geothermal technology extracts heat from the ground and uses it inside the house. The system contains a geothermal coil (loops or wells) installed deep into the ground, it’s what cool and heat the house and then distribute it back into the ground.
Hybrid Air Conditioners:
Hybrid air conditioners are heat pump system powered either by burning fossil fuels or electricity. Manufacturers intelligently choose a suitable source of energy in order to save money and energy.
The system works as it will normally do in the summer by pulling heat from the indoor and distribute it outdoor. It works reverse in the winter by pulling heat from the outside to discharge it into the house.
The hybrid pump system works with the second law of thermodynamics, which stated that heat gets transferred from hot object to a cold object. So, when the refrigerant drops below the outside temperature, the heat obtains the outside environment is transferred to the system heat pump’s coils and into the refrigerant. The extracted heat is what turns into warm, conditioned air for the room.
Working Principle
Let me assume you are familiar with the working of an air conditioning system because much has been revealed while listing components and explaining various types of an air conditioner. Well, to keep thing light and simple will be explaining further on that in video content.
Watch the video to learn more about how an air conditioning system works:
In conclusion, an air conditioner is a life-saving device widely use today. We have covered almost or everything you need to know about an air conditioning system which includes its definition, functions, and working. we also examined on its components, types and their classifications.
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