It is important to know if you are purchasing a properly sized air conditioner. This will determine the purchase cost and efficiency of the system.
An air conditioner cools inside air by removing heat and humidity from it. To do this it uses a chemical called refrigerant that changes from a liquid to a gas and back again. The system has three main mechanical components: a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator coil. Understanding how they work helps you appreciate why regular maintenance is so important. Contact Cincinnati Air Conditioning for professional help.
In addition to cooling, modern air conditioning provides humidification and ventilation as well. The need for these functions dates back to early humans inventing ways to improve indoor living conditions by controlling moisture levels. For example, Egyptians used wind shafts that circulated water in their walls to cool interior spaces.
The development of modern air conditioning accelerated after World War II, as economic growth, industrial expansion and suburban housing booms brought the technology into many homes and businesses. In the 1970s, new, more efficient refrigerants such as chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) replaced older, toxic chemicals and made systems more compact and cost-effective to install and run.
The cooling cycle starts when the thermostat senses that the inside temperature is higher than it should be and signals the air conditioner to come on. The refrigerant flows through the compressor and condenser and absorbs heat from the air, changing it from a liquid to a high-temperature, high-pressure vapor. The vapor then travels to the evaporator coil, where it loses its heat and turns back into a liquid. The cooled liquid moves to the expansion valve, where it is pushed out of the outdoor unit through a series of copper tubes into the ductwork that carries it throughout the home or building.
When the evaporator coil in the ductwork absorbs the warm air from the ducts, it pulls in cool refrigerant. As the vapor flows over the evaporator coil, it picks up humidity as it goes. That’s why the cooled air in your house or office has that fresh, clean smell to it.
The cooled air is then circulated by fans in your house or office, and the refrigerant returns to its original state in the compressor, where it repeats the process. This cycle is repeated over and over until the desired temperature is reached.
Refrigerant
Refrigerant is the lifeblood of your air conditioner. Without it, your cooling system wouldn’t be able to transfer heat from indoors to outdoors, keeping your home cool and comfortable.
Refrigerants are a group of chemicals that can easily transform from a liquid to a gas and back again, so they can absorb and expel heat. They circulate in the air conditioning system at high pressure: 105-143 psi (pounds per square inch) for R-410A systems and 60-85 psi for R-22 systems. They’re colorless and odorless, and they’re sealed in strong copper tubing so they can’t escape. Despite being so crucial, refrigerants are not well understood by the average homeowner. That’s why it’s important to have a trustworthy professional service your system regularly.
A professional AC technician will charge your system, a process called “charging.” This involves adding the right amount of refrigerant to bring it to factory specifications. The technician will also monitor the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant to make sure it’s working within its optimal range.
There are several different types of refrigerants used in ACs, and not all of them are the same. For example, R-22 refrigerant was commonly used in older ACs, but it is now being phased out because of its chlorine content, which causes environmental damage. Newer ACs use R-410A, a haloalkaline refrigerant with low ozone depletion potential.
If you have an old AC, it’s worth considering upgrading to a newer refrigerant to improve its energy efficiency. This will save you money on your energy bills while reducing the impact on our environment.
It’s important to know the signs of low refrigerant so you can get your AC serviced quickly. Warm air coming from the vents, ice on the coils, and hissing sounds are all indications that your refrigerant levels aren’t what they should be. You should also keep in mind that adding more refrigerant to an existing system can cause it to leak, so if you’re having to recharge your AC frequently, there may be another underlying issue. The professionals at Lee Company can perform a variety of leak tests to pinpoint the source of the problem and fix it before it becomes worse.
Coils
Coils are a key part of an air conditioning unit. They absorb the heat in your home to cool it down, and they also help dehumidify by removing moisture from the air. However, coils can be damaged or become dirty for many reasons, and if not addressed quickly, they can lead to expensive AC repairs. To prevent this, it’s important to understand how coils affect your AC unit and what signs indicate you may need to call a professional for AC repair.
While coils and springs are often used interchangeably, they have distinct differences in their functionality. Coils are mechanical components that are formed by winding flexible materials into a spiral shape, while springs refer to a more general category of mechanisms that store and release mechanical energy. Both are used extensively in a wide range of applications, from electrical devices to automobile suspensions and mattresses.
An air conditioner with dirty coils is less efficient than one that’s clean. Dirt on the evaporator coil acts like a blanket that blocks heat transfer, forcing your system to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. This leads to higher electricity bills, and it puts unnecessary stress on other components, shortening their lifespans.
Another problem with dirt on the evaporator coil is that it can cause ice formation. This happens when the refrigerant inside the coil gets too cold due to restricted airflow or low refrigerant levels, causing ice to form. Without sufficient refrigerant, the evaporator coil can’t effectively absorb and disperse heat, and the cooling process will break down.
A clogged outdoor coil is the next major issue that can plague your AC unit. It releases the heat that the refrigerant absorbed indoors, and it does this in conjunction with the condenser fan. However, if the coils become dirty or blocked by debris, it can’t release that heat effectively, and the entire system will break down. Fortunately, cleaning the outside coil is a relatively simple process. It just involves shutting off the power to your AC unit, removing the outer cover, and spraying them with a non-toxic cleaner. It’s a good idea to perform this at least once every other year, but twice-yearly cleaning is optimal in areas with heavy pollution or high pollen counts.
Condenser Fan
The condenser fan is a vital component of your AC system that promotes heat dissipation. Located outside in your AC unit, it powers the fan that draws outdoor air over the coils to help release refrigerant that has absorbed heat from your home. Without this fan motor, the heat won’t be dissipated properly and your cooling system won’t function as well.
A failing fan motor can cause many different problems including weak or uneven air flow from your vents, weird noises such as squealing or grinding, and increased energy bills. The good news is that you can often prevent this by keeping your air filters clean, performing routine maintenance, and following early warning signs of failure such as poor performance or unusual sounds.
How Do I Know if My AC Condenser Fan is Burnt Out?
The most common problem with your condenser fan is that it simply won’t turn on. This is usually caused by a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. It can also be a sign that you have an electrical issue, so it is best to call an HVAC professional to diagnose and fix the problem.
Another common reason for a bad fan is that the capacitor or contactor has gone bad. These are electrical components that store energy for the fan and need to be replaced by a licensed contractor.
Other reasons your condenser fan may not be working include a dirty air filter, overheating, or a faulty thermostat. If the thermostat is faulty, it may not read the right temperature and will shut the system off before it reaches your desired temperature. It can also stop and start frequently, or even turn on unnecessarily, which is a big waste of energy.
In the future, we can expect to see advances in condenser fan technology to promote better cooling performance and energy efficiency. There is already talk of using lighter, stronger materials for the fan, and researchers are working on ways to improve the efficiency of automotive fans. This will help save consumers on fuel and reduce emissions, making it a win-win for everyone involved.