- a thermostat that controls system operation
- an outdoor unit that houses a fan, condenser coil and compressor
- an indoor unit (typically either a furnace or fan coil) that houses the evaporator coil and fan to circulate the cooled air
- copper tubing that allows refrigerant to flow between the indoor and outdoor units
Which air conditioning units are the best?
This is measured in BTU (British Thermal Units, a description of thermal energy ... This Black + Decker portable air conditioner is best suited to small-room cooling, perhaps even supplementing a central-air system in a tall condominium or townhouse ...
What is the most efficient air conditioning unit?
Top AC Brands
- American Standard Air Conditioners. American Standard air conditioners are one of the best central air conditioning brands in the business.
- Carrier Air Conditioners. ...
- Goodman Central Air Conditioners. ...
- Trane Central AC Units. ...
- Rheem Air Conditioners. ...
- Lennox HVAC Units. ...
- York AC Units. ...
- Ruud Central Air Conditioners. ...
- Amana HVAC Systems. ...
- HEIL Air Conditioners. ...
How to choose the best air conditioning unit?
How to Choose the Best Air Conditioning Unit
- The cost. Don’t just look at the price tag. ...
- Size. Where do you want to use the unit? ...
- Features. Modern units make air conditioning a breeze. ...
- Noise. Most air-con units operate with minimum noise. ...
- Warranty. Warranty saves you a lot, but not all are as good. ...
What does an air conditioning unit do?
They both drag air across a set of cooling coils that causes the air to condense. The difference is that air conditioners move the air across the cooling coils to cool off the air where is a dehumidifier moves the air across the cooling coils to condense the air but then reheats the air to repeat the process.
What are AC units filled with?
Uses of Freon Freon is not only used in air conditioning units, but it has also been used in upright and chest freezers.
What are the 4 major components of an AC unit?
Most people see their central air conditioners as overly complex devices that only a seasoned HVAC technician can understand. In reality, the average air conditioner can be broken down into four main components: the evaporator coil, compressor, condenser coil, and expansion valve.
What is inside AC indoor unit?
The inside unit contains the evaporator coils and a filter, whereas the outdoor unit is home to the condensing coil, fan and compressor.
What are the 6 six basic parts of an air conditioning system?
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.
What are the five basic parts of air conditioning system?
An air conditioner has 5 main parts:Refrigerant. Refrigerant (also known as coolant or by its brand name Freon®) is a special fluid that is vital to cooling and freezing technology. ... Compressor. ... Condenser Coil. ... Expansion Valve. ... Evaporator Coil.
Is refrigerant gas or liquid?
Refrigerant is a liquid chemical that has an amazing ability to absorb heat once converted from a gas to a liquid state. When the refrigerant changes from one state to another through pressurization and compression, it can then absorb the heat inside your home and expel it outside.
What is the AC evaporator?
The air-conditioning evaporator is a small radiator inside the dashboard that provides cold air for the air-conditioning system.
Is the AC condenser inside or outside?
The outside unit of an air conditioning system is often called the condenser unit because the condenser plays a key role in how it works.
What are 4 important factors to consider in designing the overall of a HVAC system?
What Are the Most Important Factors to Consider in Air Conditioning System Design?The type of air conditioning system.The size of the system and the available space.Ducts and ventilation.Cooling loads.Energy efficiency.Cost-effectiveness.Health and safety requirements.
What are the 3 main parts of the entire HVAC system?
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and the well-integrated system will include all these parts. Smooth operation of your HVAC unit can maximize energy efficiency and ensure that maintenance is rarely required.
What are the two main parts of an air conditioner?
Central air conditioning systems utilize two main components: an outdoor condenser and an indoor evaporator.
Which three components are part of a residential cooling system?
The major components of an air-conditioning system are: Thermostat. Air Handler/Furnace. Evaporator Coil. Condensing Unit.
How do air conditioners work?
An air conditioner provides cold air inside your home or enclosed space by actually removing heat and humidity from the indoor air. It returns the...
What is central air?
In its most basic description, the air conditioning process involves two actions that occur simultaneously, one inside the home and one outside the...
How does central air work?
The thermostat, which is typically mounted on a wall in a central location within the home, monitors and controls the temperature of the indoor air...
What are the main parts of an air conditioner?
Here are some of the main parts of the outdoor air conditioning unit: 1. Compressor. Image source: Pinterest. The compressor is an important part of an air conditioner because it transforms the refrigerant in the system in order to cool your house. It changes the refrigerant from its liquid form to gas.
How does an air conditioner work?
An air conditioner uses the same law by increasing and reducing the pressure of the refrigerant to lower or increase the temperature.
Why is a condenser coil important?
A condenser coil helps to cool down the refrigerant in its gas form, especially when it has been pressured. As this gas leaves the compressor, it is turned into liquid by the coil. Therefore, the condenser coil is an integral part of the air conditioner because it removes heat from the gas and transfers it to the evaporator coil in the indoor unit. ...
How does a condenser coil work?
The warm refrigerant is then condensed in the condenser coil. The fan blows outdoor air over the condensed refrigerant to remove heat from it. Once the refrigerant has lost heat, it is condensed back into a liquid and is pumped back into the compre ssor to repeat the same cycle.
How does refrigeration work?
The refrigeration starts when air flows over the evaporator coils. These coils contain cool a refrigerant, which absorbs heat from the indoor air. The liquid refrigerant is then transformed into gas, which is then compressed by the compressor to increase its temperature and pressure.
What is the purpose of an air conditioner fan?
Image source: Pinterest. The main purpose of a fan in an air conditioner is to discharge heat from the house when it passes the condenser coil. It is important to note that there are two main fans in an air conditioner. The outdoor fan pulls heat and hot air out of the house while the indoor fan sends cool air from the return vents through ...
Why is it important to make sure that your air conditioner's compressor is functioning optimally all the time?
It is important to make sure that your air conditioner’s compressor is functioning optimally all the time because its failure will stop the cooling cycle. If the compressor breaks down, it should be repaired or replaced immediately. 2. Condenser Coil.
What is an indoor air conditioner?
The indoor unit, typically a furnace or a fan coil, includes the evaporator coil and blower fan (air handler) that circulates air throughout the home. The outdoor unit holds the compressor and the condenser coil. Split-system air conditioners provide a variety of options, including basic single-stage systems, quieter and more efficient two-stage ...
What is the chemical used in an air conditioner?
A standard air conditioner or cooling system uses a specialized chemical called refrigerant , and has three main mechanical components: a compressor, a condenser coil and an evaporator coil.
How does a compressor work?
The compressor pressurizes the refrigerant gas and sends the refrigerant into the outdoor unit’s condenser coil. A large fan pulls outdoor air through the condenser coil, allowing the air to absorb heating energy from the home and release it outside. During this process, the refrigerant is converted back to a liquid.
How does an evaporator coil work?
As the liquid refrigerant inside the evaporator coil converts to gas, heat from the indoor air is absorbed into the refrigerant, thus cooling the air as it passes over the coil. The indoor unit’s blower fan then pumps the chilled air back through the home’s ductwork out into the various living areas.
How does the cold side of a house work?
Inside the home (sometimes referred to as the “cold side” of the system), warm indoor air is cooled as it blows across a cold cooling coil full of refrigerant. Heat from indoor air is absorbed into the refrigerant as the refrigerant turns from liquid to gas. The cooled air is distributed back to the house.
What is an outdoor thermostat?
a thermostat that controls system operation. an outdoor unit that houses a fan, condenser coil and compressor. an indoor unit (typically either a furnace or fan coil) that houses the evaporator coil and fan to circulate the cooled air. copper tubing that allows refrigerant to flow between the indoor and outdoor units.
How does a fan work in a refrigerant coil?
A fan blows indoor air across the cold evaporator coil where the heat inside the home is absorbed into the refrigerant. The cooled air is then circulated throughout the home while the heated evaporated gas is sent back outside to the compressor.
Air conditioning explained
In short, air conditioners make your home cooler. Using three key parts — a compressor, condenser, and evaporator — air conditioners draw heat energy from the house and move it outdoors. Then, they replace the air inside your home with cooler air. More specifically, here’s how an air conditioner’s cooling process works:
Air conditioners remove heat
Air conditioners do not cool hot air. Rather, they remove heat to create cooler air temperatures. Although it may feel as though the air blowing out your floor, ceiling, or wall vents has been through a freezer, in fact, the heat has simply been removed. Here’s how an air conditioner works to remove heat:
Heat pumps
Heat pumps function similarly to air conditioners, but they transfer air from outside to inside the home. They do not generate heat but transfer it. For this reason, heat pumps can also be used to cool a home. Similar to a traditional air conditioner or refrigerator, heat pumps use electricity to move heat from a cooler area to a warmer one.
What is the outside unit of an air conditioner called?
You’ll also hear it called the ‘outside unit’ as well. Part of your condenser is called a coil, or condenser coil, not to be confused with the evaporator coil that is inside your home attached to the furnace.
What is a condensate drain?
The condensate drain is the white plastic (PVC) pipe that runs from your evaporator coil to the drain in your floor, or to the condensate pump that was installed if you don’t have a floor drain. This pipe allows the condensate (moisture) that the evaporator coil produces to be drained out of the plenum.
Where is the evaporator coil located?
It’s contained in a metal box called a plenum, and sits on top of your furnace. If you have a horizontal furnace in an attic, the evaporator coil will sit on one end of the furnace instead of on top.
What is a duct in an air conditioner?
Duct. This is a tube that carries air from a central fan coil to various areas of a house. Ducts can be round or rectangular, and are made from a variety of materials including sheet metal, fibreglass and vinyl. Commissioning. The final step in installing an air con system!
What is an outdoor unit?
Outdoor Unit. This is the part of an air conditioning system that contains the compressor, propeller fan, circuit board and heat exchange coil.
What is R-32 refrigerant?
A non-ozone depleting refrigerant or fluid that transfers heat energy between the indoor and outdoor units of the air conditioning system. R-32. A successor to the R-410A refrigerant, R-32 is also non-ozone depleting and has 66% lower global warming potential (GWP) factor than R-410A.
What is an air filter?
Air filters are designed to trap dust and contaminants in the air from clogging up the indoor unit of an air conditioning system. They are manufactured from thermally bonded polyester fibre or a plastic resin based net. Air purifier.
What is a heat pump?
Heat pump. Another term for a reverse cycle air conditioner which can heat and cool indoor spaces. There are three main types: air-to-air , water source and geothermal. Heat pumps are popular for those living in climates with moderate heating and cooling needs.
What is the device that controls the temperature of a room?
Thermostat. You’ll probably be familiar with this one: simply, it’s the device that controls temperature inside your home. Most thermostats consist of a sensor that monitors air temperature, and relays this information to the air conditioning unit – enabling it to effectively heat or cool the space. Zoning.
What does ARC stand for in HVAC?
HVAC. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning. This acronym refers to the entire discipline that surrounds air conditioning. ARC. Australian Refrigeration Council: the body that is responsible for granting refrigeration handling licenses to approved technicians in Australia.
What Is the Inside AC Unit Called
An evaporator coil is the internal portion of an AC unit. This coil is housed in a metal box (plenum) located inside the air handler.
What the Inside Unit of Your Air Conditioner Does
The inside coil housed in an air handler of your air conditioner handles the flow and distribution of warm air away from the inside of your home.
What the Outside Unit of Your Air Conditioner Does
You know this unit because it makes noise. The noise comes from the compressor that operates the condenser coil, the many necessary electrical components, and a fan.
5 Major Parts of An Air Conditioner
Air conditioners use many important parts to function and provide us with cool air. For regular maintenance, consult a professional, but it’s always good to identify the main features instead of calling them: that thingamajig.
Other Air Cooling Systems
All air conditioning units operate on the same basic principles. Some are costly and permanent; others are inexpensive when you need them.
Final Thoughts on AC Units
Technology constantly shifts innovation forward, and air conditioning services are big business. Add global warming to the picture, and many areas that used to fight heat with ceiling fans or floor models are switching to installing air conditioning units.
Types of air conditioning systems
Before sizing your air conditioner to your home’s needs, determine what type of system you want to install. There are a variety of cooling systems available, but we’ll cover the three primary styles below. (Looking for how to properly size a window AC ?)
How many BTU per square foot?
A BTU, or British Thermal Unit, is a rating that measures the energy your AC uses in one hour to remove heat from your indoor air. The BTU of your HVAC system should be based on the square footage of your home, insulation quality, climate zone, and ductwork.
Manual J calculation
A Manual J calculation is like an energy audit of your home. Who performs the Manual J calculation can vary depending on your region. In some instances, the HVAC company will complete the audit. It’s also possible for a general contractor or energy consultant to complete the work.
AC climate zones
While the square footage and makeup of your home will give you great direction on sizing your HVAC unit, we can’t forget climate.
Best HVAC size for your home
Choosing the right size air conditioning system for your home doesn’t have to be complicated.