Air conditioning units are complex pieces of machinery, requiring numerous components to function together if they’re going to work as they should. Most people are aware that refrigerant is used, and you can hear fans and blowers run any time you turn the air conditioning system on. But other components play an important role in the process – especially in cities like Gainesville, FL, where AC units run constantly during the hot summer months – and non-experts may not be familiar with their purpose and function. Here are 3 AC components you may not know about and the roles they serve in the cooling process.
- Condensate pan: The condensate pan collects condensation that forms on the evaporator coils, then moves it out of the system via a condensate drain. This prevents the condensate from infiltrating the rest of the system, possibly causing water damage.
- Expansion valve: The expansion valve serves as a sort of “gateway” to the evaporator coils, where the actual cooling process takes place. Refrigerant arrives at the valve in liquid form and under a great deal of pressure. The valve acts in a manner similar to an aerosol can, releasing a set amount of the liquid into the coils. The liquid evaporates and pulls heat from the nearby air, which a fan then blows into your home.
- Condenser coils: The condenser coils put the refrigerant in a liquid state before it moves to the expansion valve. The refrigerant enters the coils as a gas, where it its then cooled to a liquid form. This heat dissipates off the coils, which is then blown out of the system by a fan. For this reason, condenser coils are a part of the outdoor unit.
If you experience problems with your air conditioning system, whether it stems from an unknown component or something more recognizable like the thermostat, it pays to contact a professional as soon as possible. The experts at Touchstone Heating & Air handle air conditioning issues throughout the Gainesville FL area. Call us today and make an appointment.