Air Conditioner Parts 101: Learn About Your AC Unit

When your air conditioning system needs repair services, your technician may talk with you about different components of the system. For instance, they may explain that there are compressor issues, or that the fan may need replacing. It may be difficult to know just what these parts are, and why they’re important for your AC system to operate properly.

TF O'Brien tech working

Of course, at T.F. O’Brien, we always want our customers to have all the knowledge they need when it comes to their home comfort systems, and we know it can be confusing. There is a lot of technical information dispersed throughout the internet, some of which may not be accurate or may not truly help you understand the importance of your air conditioning system’s components. With this article, we’ll provide you with a list of the main parts of your air conditioning system, and why replacing them in the event of failure is important.

Getting to Know Your Home’s Central Air Conditioning System

For the purposes of this article, we will focus on central air conditioning systems. While they function in a similar fashion, ductless cooling systems, as well as window and portable AC units, utilize a few different components and technologies to keep homes cool. Generally speaking, an air conditioning system is comprised of five main parts. Each of these parts must work together effectively to provide your home with cool comfort.

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If any one of these components breaks down or stops working properly, it can cause your air conditioning unit as a whole to fail. That’s why it’s always important to call your HVAC contractor as soon as you notice a problem with your home’s air conditioning system – the sooner you call, the more likely your technician will be able to replace the faulty component and repair your system – so you’re not looking at a complete system replacement.

Five Main Components of an Air Conditioning System

Thermostat: It may seem obvious, but if you notice that your air conditioning system is not working properly, the first place you should always check is the thermostat. It can be as simple as someone changing the settings! If your thermostat is battery-powered, you may want to ensure that it has fresh batteries. Or, if it’s a wired system, you might want to check to make sure it hasn’t somehow become unwired. Perhaps your thermostat is simply old and has stopped working. If you’re not sure if your thermostat is faulty, your HVAC technician will be glad to check it out for you.

Evaporator Coil: Your air conditioning system’s evaporator coil is either attached to your home’s furnace or is located inside an air handler. Its function is to absorb the heat from your home’s indoor air. The compressor moves chilled refrigerant into the system’s evaporator coil. The blower fan then moves air over the evaporator coil, allowing the chilled refrigerant to remove heat from the air. Making sure you have a technician regularly maintain your air conditioning system is especially vital for the health of your evaporator coil. Because of the job it does, it can easily get a buildup of dirt and dust on it, reducing the efficiency in which it transfers heat. This can make your AC perform much less effectively and efficiently.

Condenser Coil: Your air conditioning system’s condenser coil is located in the outdoor part of your system. It serves the exact opposite function of the evaporator coil, in that it releases the heat into the outdoor air. After the refrigerant releases this heat, it then flows back into the evaporator coil, absorbs the heat, returns the hot refrigerant vapor back into the condenser coil, and does this over and over again in order to keep your home cool. Like your evaporator coils, condenser coils need regular maintenance as well – perhaps even more so. Why? Remember, the condenser coil is located outside. That makes it susceptible not only to the usual system buildup, but other elements like vegetation, dirt, and even pollen.

Expansion Valve: The purpose of the expansion valve is to regulate the refrigerant flow into the evaporator coil. Without it, refrigerant would rush into the evaporator coil under high pressure. As a result, a properly working expansion valve is crucial for AC operation. While expansion valves are manufactured to withstand a lot of wear and tear because of the job they do for your AC system, over time they can break down and significantly diminish system efficiency – and eventually cause your air conditioning system to break down if not replaced.

Contractor inspecting HVAC System

Compressor: Your air conditioning system’s compressor is essentially a pump that pressurizes the system’s refrigerant. It is located in the outdoor part of your AC unit, and its job is to compress and pump refrigerant throughout the system. The compressor in your home’s air conditioner has many moving parts, and failure of any of its components can cause your AC system to break down. There are a few indicators that can help you know if your compressor is struggling, including noises (such as bangs, clanks, or hisses), poor cooling, or hard starting.

How can T.F. O’Brien help me if one of these components fails?

Let us preface this by saying that at T.F. O’Brien, we truly believe that the best way to keep your air conditioning system – and all of its many parts – running efficiently and effectively is by getting it the annual maintenance it needs. As you’ve read above, your AC system is very susceptible to becoming dirty – both your indoor and outdoor parts. When you count on your T.F. O’Brien technician to maintain your system, they’ll make sure it’s cleaned and lubricated properly, and that refrigerant levels are appropriate.

You can rely on us in the event of a breakdown, too. Our technicians have been trained to troubleshoot virtually all types of air conditioning systems. They’ll replace the parts that are failing, and help get your air conditioning system running effectively and efficiently. All you need to do is give us a call at 516.488.1800, and we’ll be happy to help you get the air conditioning services you need.

Five Ways to Keep Your Cool During The Dog Days

GettyImagesAugust is here, and that means the dog days of summer have arrived on Long Island. This time of year, Mother Nature turns up the heat, and that can make for an uncomfortable situation for many. Extreme heat not only can make you feel miserable – it can also make you sick. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are a number of factors that can affect the body’s ability to cool down when the temperatures soar, with senior citizens, small children, and those with medical concerns being among those at highest risk.

It’s important to take the necessary measures to keep cool in high temperatures, so you’re able to prevent heat-related illness from happening to you. Of course, keep strenuous activity to a minimum, limit your time outdoors, and make sure to wear natural fabrics and sunscreen. All of these measures will help avoid a possible life-threatening situation. But there are a few other steps you can take that can help you stay healthy when the weather is at its hottest.

The CDC offers some suggestions to help you stay healthy during a heat event.

The good news is, there are many measures you can take to stay safe when it’s hot and humid outside. Here are five suggestions from the CDC that not only help you stay cool – but also stay safe.

  1. Drink more water than you usually would. Keep the fluids flowing – don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Conversely, avoid alcohol, as it can contribute to dehydration. Plain water is best.
  2. Don’t use your stove or oven. It will only add to the heat that’s already in your home. Besides, it gives you a great excuse to order a pizza!
  3. Check on friends or neighbors – especially those who are older or are in ill health. Heat events can be especially difficult for them.
  4. Don’t rely on a fan to stay cool. Fans are great to help keep air circulating throughout your home, but they won’t cool the air.
  5. Stay in air conditioning as much as possible. The CDC indicates, “air conditioning is the number one way to protect yourself against heat-related illness or death.” If you don’t have air conditioning in your home, consider staying with family or friends who do, or seek an air-conditioned shelter in your area.

If you need help with your air conditioning, T.F. O’Brien can assist you.

At T.F. O’Brien, we can help with any air conditioning need you might have. We have extensive experience with the installation, maintenance and repair of all types of air conditioning systems, including ductless cooling and central air conditioning. Call us today at 516.488.1800, and we’ll be happy to help you. Prefer to contact us online? Click here to complete our short form, and a representative will reach out to you.

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