For those who love to keep cool during the summer months, air conditioners are not only a great investment, but a necessary one here in Toledo, OH. Even though they have been around for well over a century, so many people do not know the parts that make up these amazing machines. Well, in this blog, we are going to take a bit of a deep dive and look at the specific parts that make up an AC unit, both the outdoor unit, also called a condensing unit, and the interior unit, which is an air handler or evaporator.
Outdoor Unit
The outdoor unit is probably what you think of when you think of an AC unit, and that is the part of the system that sits on a cement pad and spins up whenever the thermostat needs to cool the home. The condensing unit drives the refrigerant through its phase change and is the key part of the system that allows cool air to flow into your home.
Compressor
The Compressor is the heart of the air conditioner and is considered the most important part of the unit. This machine takes low-pressure refrigerant gas that has been cooled and compresses it into a high-pressure, hot gas to enable heat exchange.
Condenser Coil
The condenser coil works in tandem with the compressor, allowing the hot, high-pressure gas to release its heat into the outside air. This rapid heat exchange will then condense the refrigerant into a high-pressure liquid.
Condenser Fan
The condenser fan is part of the condenser unit and helps dissipate heat more effectively into the environment. This fan will draw outside air through the condenser coil, ensuring that no single spot gets too hot.
Contractor & Capacitator
These parts are electrical components within the unit that will turn it on and off. Although not part of the refrigeration cycle, these components will kick-start the compressor and fan motors, allowing for a stress-free start when the thermostat calls for cool air.
Line Set
Finally, the line set will consist of two copper tubes that carry the refrigerant between the indoor and outdoor units. The tubes consist of a thin liquid line and a thicker suction line, insulated by a thick foam tube that runs from the unit into the home or business.
The Indoor Unit
The indoor unit will be a little less obvious to most, but it is the part of the air conditioner that circulates the cooled air within the home. Generally, the indoor unit is referred to as the air handler or evaporator.
Evaporator Coil
Just like the exterior unit, the indoor unit also has an evaporator coil, and the process is very similar. The indoor coil will have low-pressure liquid refrigerant that absorbs heat from the indoor air as it blows over it. This heat is then sent through the line set to be blown out of the home.
Blower Fan
The blower fan, also called the air handler, will push warm air from your home through the chilled evaporator coils and then distribute the newly cooled air throughout the home. For most homes, the blower fan will be connected to both the furnace and the air conditioner and will run year-round.
Metering Device
The metering device, or expansion valve, will regulate and reduce the pressure of the liquid refrigerant as it approaches the evaporator coil. This process will ensure that the refrigerant is at the right temperature to achieve maximum cooling.
Air Filter
The air filter is one of the most important parts of any AC system, removing dust, allergens, dirt, and hair from your indoor air. You will need to replace your air filter every 3 to 4 months, depending on how often you run your AC unit.
Drain Pan and Line
Finally, the drain pan will remove excess condensation pulled from the air during the refrigeration process. Some systems will empty the line directly into a drain, while others will have a pan where the water collects and either evaporates or needs to be emptied.
Air conditioners are not simple systems, which is why you should always use a professional HVAC company to install, replace, or repair your AC unit. Whether you are looking to replace an older AC unit or install a brand-new system, the team at Fry is here to help with all your air conditioning needs in Toledo, OH. With expert advice, professional installation, and training from top AC manufacturers, including Trane, York, and Carrier, Fry is the premier residential HVAC company in the Ohio Valley for a reason.
