Your air conditioner is your ally for beating the heat on those sweltering summer days. It’s interesting how it gets the job done. You may assume that these systems merely blow cool air to lower indoor temperatures. Air conditioners actually have a fascinating process for removing heat, reducing humidity, and circulating air to enhance comfort.
Removing Heat
Refrigerant is responsible for removing heat from indoors and dumping it outside as it moves through a closed, copper loop between the air handler indoors and the condenser unit outdoors. When the air blows across the coils inside of your air handler, the refrigerant absorbs the heat from the air in your home. During this process, the refrigerant comes to a boil and turns into gas. The compressor then raises the temperature and pressure of the gas and pumps it into the condenser unit. Then, the air moves across the condenser coils, and the fan inside the unit blows the released heat away from your home.
Reducing Humidity
Air conditioners also reduce indoor humidity. When the hot air blows across the cold coils inside the indoor air handler, the moisture in the air condenses and turns into water. This water drains out through the condensate line. This process dries out the air, which enables you to set the thermostat a bit higher so that you can potentially save more money on utility costs.
Air Circulation
Air circulation is critical for your system to do its job. The blower motor moves the conditioned air throughout the ductwork and into the various rooms of your home. Because of this, you must make sure nothing obstructs airflow.
Ensure no air vents are covered by rugs or blocked by curtains or furniture. Open any vents that you find closed. Closed vents can increase the static pressure inside your air ducts, which can put wear and tear on your system.
Don’t forget to change your filters. Never allow more than 3 months to pass between filter changes because dirty filters can choke off the airflow and disrupt the cooling process.
When air cannot circulate freely, the coils inside the air handler can freeze up because the warm air in your home cannot reach them. A solid block of ice can form. Real trouble can occur once the ice melts. Water can drip down into your system and ruin internal components or damage nearby walls and flooring.
Understanding how your air conditioner works puts you in a better position to keep you and your family comfortable in hot weather. You’ll know how to spot trouble so that you can fix problems quickly and inexpensively, and avoid replacing your system prematurely. If you live in Peachtree City, GA or a surrounding area and need AC repair services, make your first call to Trinity Air Heating & Air Conditioning.