Knowing how your Air Conditioning system components works

The Air Conditioning System Components of the Indoor System

The major indoor system components consist of an evaporator, a cooling fan, and a drainpipe. The indoor system is the low-pressure side of the entire cooling system. The evaporator is in the form of coiled tubes, absorbing heat from the room and sending it through the compressor, condenser, and expansion valve back to the evaporator. As the name suggests, the evaporator turns the refrigerant liquid into gas. The cooling fan blows cool air into the room and simultaneously sucks the hot air out.

The Air Conditioning System Components of the Outdoor System

The major components of the outdoor system are the compressor, condenser, condenser fans, and expansion valve. Their primary function is to compress and condense air, then bring the cooled air back inside. The outdoor system is the high-pressure side of the entire AC unit and acts as the heat exchange system, removing the heat before the air returns to the room.

Compressor

This vital part of the air conditioning system circulates the refrigerant vapor by compressing it and reducing its volume using high temperature before sending the vapor to the condenser. There are five types of compressors used in an air conditioning system: reciprocating, centrifugal, screw, scroll, and rotary. The type of compressor used depends on the load the AC needs to cool and the size of the system. Larger systems tend to use centrifugal compressors, while the other types are more commonly found in smaller residential units.

Condenser

The condenser transforms the high-pressure refrigerant vapor from the compressor into a liquid by removing some heat. This heat is then released to the expansion valve. The condenser is similar to an engine radiator with multiple coils, and its size is proportional to the size of the compressor and the AC unit.

Condenser Fans

After the condenser removes heat from the refrigerant vapor, the condenser fans expel this excess heat outside. If the heat is not expelled properly, it would return to the compressor, potentially causing overheating and reducing the system’s efficiency.

Expansion Valve

The refrigerant liquid, now cooled, passes through the expansion valve. The valve’s role is to lower the pressure of the liquid, which in turn reduces its temperature. After this process, the low-pressure liquid moves into the evaporator coils.

Other Essential Air Conditioning System Components

Refrigerant

The refrigerant is the liquid inside the coils that enables the air conditioning unit to pressurize and condense the vapor. It also contains a small amount of lubricating oil to ensure the refrigeration cycle runs smoothly, particularly for the compressor. The refrigerant’s boiling point is lower than the air temperature in the evaporator, but its vaporization temperature is higher than the maximum temperature in the compressor.

Tubes and Tube Insulation

The refrigerant liquid moves through tubes connecting the condenser and evaporator coils. These tubes are insulated with synthetic rubber to help maintain the temperature of the refrigerant as it moves between the components.

Air Filter

Located in the indoor system, the air filter cleans the air that passes through the evaporator coil. It traps dust and odors before the cooled air enters the room. Filters are either disposable or reusable and should be cleaned monthly.

Muffler

The muffler reduces the noise produced by the compressor by canceling out sound waves. It is generally unnecessary for small units or compressors with minimal mechanical noise. Larger units or compressors with many moving parts typically require a muffler to minimize sound.

Casing and Casing Parts

These parts form the outer shell of the air conditioning unit. They protect the unit from external elements such as dust, dirt, and weather conditions.

Drainpipe

The drainpipe removes excess liquid after the condensation process inside the coils. In some systems, especially ducted or centralized units, this pipe may connect to your plumbing or drainage system. It helps maintain the condenser’s efficiency by draining out the excess water during condensation.

Conclusion

An air conditioning unit is a system composed of multiple components working together. Even if one component fails, it may not completely hinder the unit’s function, but it can prevent the system from cooling the space effectively. If you face issues that are difficult to diagnose, it’s best to call a technician to inspect the unit and ensure all components are working properly.

A split air conditioning (AC) system composes of different parts that make it work accordingly. The air conditioning system components are grouped into two separate systems: the indoor and the outdoor system. Each system consists of one or two major parts and auxiliary parts while the control components are part of the indoor system.

The Control Parts of a Split Air Conditioning

These parts are essential in switching on and off the air conditioner. In a multi-split type of AC, the thermostat, the contactor, dampers, and humidistat are the control parts of the AC. These control parts automatically trigger the operation of the entire system. The thermostat consists of a thermometer and a statistic log. The thermometer measures the temperature in a room. Once the measured temperature reaches the set temperature in the statistic log, it sends signals to the contractor to begin cooling or heating the room. The contactor is the traffic light of the air conditioning unit. It receives signals from the thermostat whether to switch on or off the split air conditioning unit.

The damper controls the temperature of the refrigerant vapor by varying the duct openings. On the other hand, the humidistat detects humidity level in the air and aids the thermostat how much work does the AC need to do to maintain a comfortable temperature. Some ACs does not contain humidistat. If an AC contains a humidifier, expect an added purchasing cost compared to a non-humidifier AC.