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Air Conditioning Units

Air Conditioning Units

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Air conditioning units work straight to the point. It is made up of various components such as the warmth exchange pipes and the refrigerant tank. If you come to think of it, you may say that an AC’s components are really sophisticated and a bit complicated after your first glance of it. However, if you look at it closely, it is not that complex at all but more straightforward.

In several aspects, the components of all AC systems are quite similar and even an ordinary person can grasp right away and understand how they work. Air conditioning units act as valves that either permit or limit the flow of air depending on the machine’s setting.

It converts warm air to cold air by transferring heat from one space to a different area. The motor acts as its power mechanism, giving the AC the power to convert the warm air as long as the device is turned on. This includes the air intake and output pump.

  1. Capacitors — Capacitors help your HVAC motor start from a standstill. Over time they can weaken. As they weaken, they cause the motor to run hotter. This can shorten the life expectancy of your motor. Once a capacitor fails, the whole motor will stop working.
  2. Compressor — Compressors are outdoor components in your system. The compressor is the pump that circulates the refrigerants through the air-conditioner.
  3. Contact/Relay — Relays are electronically controlled switches that activate the various components of your HVAC system.

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There are several types of air conditioning units. One of which is the window air conditioner and perhaps the most common AC unit you’ll see in different parts of the globe. It is common among residential spaces and the first units to be widely used in homes and offices the world over. This type of air conditioner is also referred to as a unitary air conditioning system because all of its components are stored in one compact box. It has its limitations too since it can only cool down a smaller space and not as energy-efficient as the newer models requiring a ductwork.

All types of air conditioning units have similar operating elements regardless of brand or model. Some of its major components include the refrigerant, compressor, condenser, enlargement valve and evaporator coil. All of these elements work alongside each other in moving the warmth and humidity from inside your homes outside only leaving behind cooled air that you desperately want during the warm months of summer.

Knowing the parts and types of air conditioning systems may not give you a master’s degree or a prestigious award but it sure can help you understand how it works. It can also come in handy when talking to HVAC technicians especially when relaying telltale signs of problems you notice on your AC. It makes the conversation smoother and helps us detect which part of the air conditioning unit has a problem thus making it easier to explain to HVAC contractors and technicians, so you no longer go around in circles with your explanation.

This video tells you how air conditioners work. Check it out:

Other Resources:

Maintaining HVAC Conditions
Innovation and Its Gift – HVAC
AC Mayday: When The AC Is Out