Your air conditioner is essential for the comfort and safety of your home. An efficient system can save energy while keeping your Arizona home cool in the sweltering summer Heat. But how does an air conditioner work? We will outline the components and their functions in this article.

Expending Heat and Regulating Temperatures

For your AC to be efficient, multiple components have to work seamlessly throughout the season. The principal parts of a central air-cooling system are the indoor and outdoor units. The outdoor unit typically consists of a fan, a compressor, and a condenser.

A central Air Conditioning system works on the same principle as a refrigerator. It expends heat from the indoors to the outdoors. Your AC can accomplish that through a liquid called refrigerant. It can absorb heat and dispel it when the AC reduces its pressure.

On the outdoor unit is a compressor that pumps the refrigerant between the evaporator and the condenser. The pump increases the refrigerant’s pressure as it enters the outdoor unit. A fan blows air over the condenser’s coils to expend heat to the exterior of the house.

The Cooling Cycle of the System

The indoor unit consists of an evaporator coil that cools warm air as it passes over it. The tubes are twisted to increase the area of the absorbing surface. The tube’s material is often copper to optimize heat conductivity as the refrigerant exchanges heat with the evaporator.

When the refrigerant returns to the evaporator coil, it is at low pressure. In that state, it can absorb heat as indoor air passes through the evaporator. The coolant can regulate heat and humidity from the interior. Your AC will channel the moisture down the condensate drain to prevent component damage.

After cooling and dehumidification, your cooling system will push the conditioned air through the ductwork. Your ductwork is a series of channels that send air to every room through the vents.

The design and sizing of your ductwork are crucial for the efficiency of your cooling system. The layout, number of bends, and insulation are the factors our technicians will consider before installation begins.

Too many kinks and twists along the ducts can impact air distribution around the building. Care must be taken during installation to avoid errors that could cause problems in the future. Honest Air Conditioning has an experienced team for duct sizing and sealing solutions in Mesa.

The Thermostat: The Brain of Your Cooling System

A thermostat not only measures but also controls the Temperature of the room. It is a device that gives you control over your heating and cooling system. There are different mechanisms that the thermostat will use to signal your system to start or stop running.

The two main types of thermostats are electromechanical and electronic thermostats. Electromechanical devices employ a bi-metal strip that moves with temperature changes. When it reaches the desired temperature, the strips force mercury to one side of the device. The thermostat tips, shifting mercury to one side and signaling the system to start.

Modern home comfort systems use the electronic thermostat for easier and more accurate temperature regulation. An electronic device will contain sensors instead of a bi-metal strip and mercury. It functions as a computer, recording discrete values and carrying out sophisticated instructions.

A programmable thermostat is the most accurate at determining the temperature and humidity in the room. You can program it to record your patterns and adjust temperatures when you are not in your home. With Wi-Fi capabilities, you can turn up your home air conditioning on your way home from work.

Regardless of the thermostat, you can waste a lot of energy if your AC keeps shutting on and off. The settings will determine the amount of power you can save. Fortunately, a smart thermostat can adjust according to the weather outside.

Unique Features That Can Boost Performance

With heating and cooling systems accounting for 40% of your energy use, it is always wise to consider efficiency. The SEER ratings determine the energy efficiency of your AC. However, some features indicate that the equipment is a high-efficiency, high-performance model.

One of the features is a variable-speed fan. As the name suggests, it can vary its speed depending on the cooling demands of the building. The ability to adjust the fan speed evens out the temperature. It also minimizes drafts and controls humidity.

Besides the fan, manufacturers are also making variable-speed compressors. The compressor can run at low and high capacity. When the temperature is mild, it can change to a slower speed to save energy. In hotter weather, the compressor will switch to high-capacity for optimum comfort.

Another way to save energy is by zoning using a programmable thermostat. It is an effective approach to managing interior temperatures, especially if there are multiple occupants. It prevents energy wastage in unused rooms.

Implementing a zoning system can save energy, but it requires some expertise. A professional has to assess the space and other variables that may affect efficient heating and cooling. You can consult Honest Air Conditioning technicians for more information on zoning systems.

Maintaining Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality

The principal purpose of your AC equipment is to keep your indoor temperatures at comfortable levels. While an efficient system can reduce some indoor pollutants, air quality is not the primary concern.

For example, it is a misconception that your air conditioner can filter pollutants. The filter on the return ducts or AC air handle can only capture pollen, debris, and some allergens. If you want to eliminate contaminants, you will have to use a filter with a higher MERV rating.

Similarly, your air conditioner can eliminate some of the moisture that collects in the evaporator. After the vapor condenses, your equipment will channel it down the condensate drain. While it can address humidity, the impact is minimal, especially when humidity levels are above 60%.

It is also challenging for an AC to remove moisture when it is cool and humid outside. That is because your AC will run depending on the thermostat’s temperature readings only. So, when it is not hot, there is no reason for your equipment to start, even though humidity levels are high.

If there is a moisture problem in your home, the best approach is to get a dehumidifier. High levels of humidity can ruin your valuables and parts of your property. Moisture saturation also complicates air conditioning because the interior feels hotter when it’s muggy.

Maintaining the airflow of the AC keeps the evaporator cool and allows for more condensation. Even though that can regulate moisture, a dehumidification solution is the best approach. Keep in mind that even low levels of humidity can be harmful to your health and interior. Dry air will cause skin rashes and respiratory problems as well as nose and eye irritation.

You can consult Honest Air Conditioning‘s staff in Mesa for the installation, repair, and maintenance of your AC system. We are a BBB-accredited company with an A+ rating. As a Carrier dealer, we can handle virtually all brands and models of AC equipment. You can depend on our team for duct sealing, heat pumps, and indoor air quality solutions. Our staff is fully licensed, bonded, and insured. Call our friendly help desk for prompt AC services in Mesa.

The post How Does My Air Conditioning System Work? appeared first on Honest Air Conditioning.