An air conditioner is more than just a box that blows cold air into your house. It is a complex machine with various components working together to keep your space comfortable during hot summer days. Understanding how these parts work can help you maintain your air conditioner, troubleshoot problems when they arise, and communicate more effectively with service professionals. Air Supply Heating & Air Conditioning, we will dive into the essential components of your air conditioner and their functions.

AC Compressor

The compressor is often considered the heart of the system, it is an important part of the outdoor unit. Its primary role is to circulate refrigerant throughout the air conditioner by compressing the low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant gas into a high-pressure, high-temperature gas. The compressor starts the refrigeration cycle, circulating the refrigerant through the system.

AC Condenser Coil

Also located in the outdoor unit, the condenser coil plays a critical role in dissipating the heat carried by the refrigerant. As the high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant gas from the compressor enters the condenser coil, it releases heat into the atmosphere, converting back into a high-pressure liquid.

AC Expansion Valve

The expansion valve, sometimes called a throttle device, controls the amount of refrigerant going into the evaporator coil. It depressurizes the refrigerant, converting it into a low-pressure, low-temperature liquid before it enters the evaporator coil.

AC Evaporator Coil

Located in the indoor unit, the evaporator coil is where the cooling actually happens. The low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant liquid absorbs heat from the indoor air blown over it by the blower fan. This process changes the refrigerant from a liquid into a low-pressure gas.

AC Blower Fan

The blower fan, located in the indoor unit, circulates the air across the evaporator coil and then spreads the cooled air throughout your home. The fan also pulls the room’s warm air back into the air conditioner to be cooled down again.

Air Filter

The air filter is typically located in the return air duct or blower compartment before the returning air reaches the evaporator coil. It traps all of the dust, pollen, and other airborne particles from the air, preventing them from accumulating on the evaporator coil and reducing the system’s efficiency.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the control system of the air conditioner. It senses the temperature in the room and will tell the air conditioner to turn on when the room or home’s temperature rises above the thermostat’s set level. Once the room reaches the desired temperature, the thermostat tells the system to turn off.

Drain Pan & Drain Line

As the air conditioner cools the warm air, it also dehumidifies it. The excess moisture from the indoor air condenses on the cold evaporator coil and drips down into a drain pan, which is then removed from the system through the drain line.

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Understanding these components and their functions can go a long way in helping you maintain your air conditioner effectively. The better you know your cooling system the better you can care for it and improve your energy efficiency and more. If you need your air conditioner tuned-up, repaired or replaced, contact Air Supply Heating & Air Conditioning for all of your HVAC needs.