Learn More About Your AC
Have you ever wondered how your air conditioning system works? Because we live in Florida, central air conditioning is a must to cool your whole home, as opposed to window units that only cool a small area.
Although central air conditioning uses more electricity, it is proven to be the most efficient option for our warm and muggy Niceville weather. At McCullough Air Conditioning and Heating, we’re here to explain this widely used air conditioning option. Read below to learn more!
What Are the Components of My Central AC?
Central AC is a quiet, clean and comfortable way to cool your home.
Central AC functions by removing the warm air from your home using a system of two separate coils, refrigerant, ductwork and piping working together to provide you with fresh cool air.
Outdoor Unit
The outdoor unit contains several parts including the:
- Condenser coil
- Compressor
- Electrical elements
- Fan
The outdoor part of a central AC unit is usually called the condenser unit. Although there are other parts that make up the outdoor part of your central AC, the most important is the condenser coil. Condenser coils are made of copper and hold the refrigerant in its’ liquid form so that collected heat can be released.
The Evaporator Coil
Your evaporator coil lives inside your home near your air handler and is responsible for absorbing heat from the inside of your home and passing it to the condenser coil in the outside unit to complete the heat exchange cycle.
Refrigerant
Refrigerant is a chemical compound that is used by AC units. It works by traveling from the condenser to the evaporator and expanding, removing heat and cooling the system and air.
Ducts
Ductwork is the set of passageways that allow your air to flow freely through your home.
Ducts are essentially metal channels and are made up of pipes, trunks and transitions. Pipes and trunks are the main channels that connect to the air handler and allow warm or cool air to circulate around your home.
Transitions are the parts of ductwork that connect your pipes and trunks.
Pipes
Your systems’ pipes, or refrigeration lines, are key parts of your system, connecting the inside and outside equipment.
Pipes keep your system clean and dry and prevent large amounts of oil from getting trapped in your system.
Thermostat
You might be wondering why thermostats made this list of central AC components. Well, thermostats play a crucial role in regulating your home’s temperature whether you have a smart thermostat or an older manual one.
Thermostats detect the temperature of the air in your home and activate your AC when the temperature in your home increases, cooling it down. They also are responsible for turning your AC off when your home has been cooled enough.
How Can HVAC Repair and AC Maintenance Preserve My Systems Components?
When you schedule preventative AC maintenance or HVAC repair with McCullough, you’re investing in the life of your cooling and heating system.
Regularly scheduled tune-ups and maintenance mean that a professional technician will come and inspect the inner and outer workings of your system and make sure everything is working as efficiently as it should be. This saves your parts from wear and tear and can also lower your energy bills, preserve your indoor air quality and ensure your comfort for the long haul!
Call McCullough for Your Cooling and Heating Needs, Niceville!
If you’re ready to schedule HVAC maintenance, repair or if you just have questions about the parts of your AC system, give us a call. At McCullough Air Conditioning and Heating, your comfort is our priority. We have proudly served Niceville and the surrounding area for over forty years, and we would love to add you to our list of happy customers.
Call us today to schedule!
