On a hot and humid day, an air conditioner is a savior. There was a time when this home appliance was considered a luxury and very few homes had this facility. But now, almost all homes have some kind of air conditioning system – a window AC, a split AC, and some even have a central air conditioning facility. But while enjoying the cool ambience in the home interiors, have we ever thought about the way the air conditioner works or about the various components which make up the AC machine? Even during an AC installation in Troutdale, OR, how many of us ask the installation contractor about the different parts of the air conditioning unit? In this article, we will know about some of the important parts of the air conditioning unit.
Different Parts of the Air Conditioner
Knowledge of different parts of the air conditioner is important, even when you are looking for AC repair in Portland, OR. This helps in identifying and understanding the exact area in the AC unit where the problem has occurred. Knowing about these parts also helps in understanding how the AC functions. Some important parts of the AC machine are as follows:
- Compressor: It is evident from the name that a compressor plays a role in compressing the refrigerant gas, so that its temperature is raised. The refrigerant heats up as the gas is squeezed very tightly. The refrigerant is heated up so that its temperature is higher than the temperature that prevails outside. We know that flow of heat takes place from hotter to colder bodies. The function of the compressor is increasing the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant.
- Refrigerant: Refrigerant is also referred to as coolant in many places. This is a special kind of liquid that plays an integral part in freezing technology. It works in a kind of loop and carries the heat from inside to outside. In the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant changes from liquid to gaseous form. The liquid passes through the AC machines’ copper coils and cooling tubes, and connects the outside unit to the inside unit. After absorbing heat from indoor air, the liquid travels to the outdoor unit where the heat is released.
- Evaporator Coil: It is with the help of evaporator coils that the AC picks up heat from home interiors. The liquid, depressurized refrigerant is received by copper tubes from the expansion valve. When indoor air goes over cold coils, the heat from home interiors gets absorbed. The evaporator coil depends on the blower for blowing air over the coils.
- Condenser Coil: This is just the opposite of the evaporator coil. This coil is present in the outdoor unit of the AC machine. It receives the high temperature and high-pressure refrigerant from the compressor. The condenser coils actually have hot refrigerant. The heat is transferred to the outdoor air with this coil.
