No one likes to sweat, and most people would rather stay cool than warm. When it’s hot outside, air conditioning is a must for many homes.
f you’re planning to install an A/C or get an air conditioning service in High Point, NC, we have compiled some information to help you understand the cooling equipment.
How Does An Air Conditioner Work?
An air conditioning unit comes with the following important parts: thermostat, fan, filter, compressor, evaporator, blower, and condenser coil.
- Thermostat – The cooling process starts when you set a temperature on the thermostat. The thermostat will then signal your air conditioning unit to start running.
- Fan – This is located in your indoor unit (in case of split systems). It pulls hot air from inside your house.
- Air filter – The warm air will pass through the air filters, a component that traps any air contaminants such as dust and dander.
- Evaporator coil – The filtered, warm air passes over the evaporator coil where refrigerant sits to absorb the heat. The warm indoor air will be turned into chilled air when it passes over the evaporator coil.
- Blower- It pumps the cooled air back to your indoor space.
- Compressor – It’s like a huge electric pump that pressurizes the refrigerant gas and sends it into the condenser coil.
- Condenser coil – It takes the pressurized gas and changes it into a liquid. In the process, heat is removed and released to outdoor air.
To simplify, your air conditioning unit cools your room by sucking in warm air from your indoor environment, keeping the air clean through the air filter, cooling it with the help of the refrigerant, and distributing the cooled air through the blower and vents. The hot air is released outside through the compressor and condenser.
Types of Air Conditioning Unit
Air conditioning systems come in various types. While they all have the same main parts like compressor, condenser, expansion valve, they still differ in some ways. Please find out more about them below.
Portable Air Conditioner – This is often referred to as a “packaged” air conditioning system. This type of A/C doesn’t need installation, so you won’t have to call for air conditioning service in High Point, NC. It can also be transported from room to room as necessary with ease. It’s usually small (in cooling capacity and size), making them very convenient for people who need temporary cooling throughout the house during the summer months.
Central Air Conditioner – It can be a split type or a packaged type. The latter has all the components in a single casing, while the former comes with two units (indoor & outdoor). This type of A/C can cool multiple rooms simultaneously through the aid of ductwork.
The installation is laborious and often costly, especially if there’s no existing ductwork in the property yet. Its installation also requires expertise, so you may have to hire an air conditioning service provider in High Point, NC.
Ductless Air Conditioner – As the name implies, this type of A/C doesn’t require ducts to cool your home. It usually comes with an outdoor and indoor unit. The indoor unit, which usually houses the air filter, evaporator coil, and fan, supplies cool air to the room. But it isn’t as powerful as the central air conditioning unit as it could only cool the room where it is installed. It still requires installation, but it’s not as extensive as the one required by a central A/C.
Size of Air Conditioning Units
The size of an A/C unit refers to the unit’s cooling capacity. It’s a factor that must be considered when choosing a unit since it directly impacts its operation cost and ability to your home.
If you choose a small model, the unit will have a hard time cooling all areas of your house and might become overwhelmed in the summer months. On the other hand, buying a big one wastes money since it will cycle on and off frequently with no real benefit. A properly sized system will keep your family comfortable.
The size of A/C is usually measured using a BTU. The BTU tells how powerful the unit is. To determine what BTU rating your room needs, multiply the length of the area to be cooled with its width. Then, multiple the total by 25 BTU.
However, most of the time, other factors other than the room’s dimension need to be considered to determine the precise cooling capacity the room needs. In this case, it’s best to consult your local, trusted air conditioning service provider in High Point, NC.
In need of air conditioning services? You can contact All About Care Heating & Air at 336-771-9000.