We rely on our air conditioning system to keep our home cool and comfortable. Our A/C system needs regular maintenance to work efficiently.
Just like any other home appliance, your air conditioning unit is going to show wear and eventually deteriorate, having mechanical problems at some point during its lifetime
Keeping your system working smoothly depends on proper maintenance and service. System maintenance can also save you money and headaches from unexpected breakdowns.
If you are want to keep your home comfortable, then maintaining and regularly servicing your Air Conditioning System is A must
Central Air Conditioning Basics
Air is circulated through your system which is then cooled and dehumidified before being sent back into your home through duct work to the supply registers in each room.
The central air system has four main parts.
Evaporator – is inside your home as part of the air-handler. The basic function is to absorb heat from your living space and condition the air.
Expansion Valve – is located near the evaporator, this valve controls the amount of refrigerant that is allowed into the evaporator coil
Condenser – is a metal unit located outside of your home. High pressure gas is taken from the compressor and converted into liquid.
Compressor – Located inside the condenser, the compressor controls the pressure of the freon in your A/C system.This is done by compressing low pressure gas from the evaporator to A high pressure gas and then cooled to a liquid in the condenser.
terms relative to air conditioning systems. Here is some terminology frequently used in the Air Conditioning.
Seer Rating – This calculation is the efficiency rating used for central A/C systems as an average over the entire cooling season.
MERV Rating – The (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) measures the ability of the air filter in your unit to catch particles before entering the duct system. The higher number rated filters are capable of trapping more and smaller particles. Very high rated filters may not be appropriate for all system because of the extreme nature of construction.
Air Flow – The amount of air that your duct system can move measured in CFMor cubic feet per minute. Most systems are rated around 400 cfm for each ton of capacity
Repairs on your central air conditioning systems should be done by professionals air conditioning tech. Knowing the basics can help you to understand the nature of the problem and whether repairs need to be handled right away. There may be simply a need to make adjustments or installing battery in your thermostat and not necessarily a major problem in the unit.
