Understanding Your AC System: A Guide to Essential AC Maintenance
The Science of Cooling: Why AC Maintenance is Essential for Summer
Cold weather and the heating cycle have been the focus of central heat and air conditioning for the last few months. But Spring and warmer temperatures are upon us and the long cooling season begins soon in earnest. AC Maintenance is a major key to keeping your air conditioner running efficiently all summer long. You might hear this often, but unless you know how air conditioning works, it might be hard to understand the importance of AC Maintenance.
Air Conditioning Does Not Cool
– The air that streams out of the vent may feel cool, but scientifically, the AC is not cooling the air. Air conditioning removes the heat; this is an important distinction for understanding the equipment involved.
– Air conditioner engineers have designed special gaseous compounds that collect and release heat readily; although they have various formulas, collectively people call them Freon.
– In the outdoor portion of the air conditioning system (the condenser unit), a compressor squeezes this Freon (which heats it) and then releases it into a network of tubes inside, called the evaporator coil.
– The hot Freon suddenly gets very cold, dropping to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
– Hot, humid air is drawn from the house by a powerful blower motor. The heat from the house is drawn to the cold tubes and the Freon collects the heat. Humidity also condenses on the evaporator coil and drips to a drain pan below.
– The blower motor also blows this air, minus the heat and humidity, back into the home.
– The hot Freon is pushed outside, back to the condenser unit. Its walls are composed of a network of tubes and a large fan draws air across the tubes to release the heat into the air and prepare the Freon for another cooling cycle.
Two things to remember about this process:
– The Freon must be cooled before it gets back to the compressor or it will overheat the compressor motor.
– Heat pumps use this technology in reverse, collecting available heat from outdoors and bringing it into the home during the winter.
Maintenance is Caring for Components
– The Freon must be kept at a pretty consistent pressure; if the pressure drops, some Freon leaks out of the closed network of tubes. The leak will need to be repaired and the Freon replaced.
– The condenser needs to stay clean. Outside air contains sticky pollen and dirt, and the lawn mower blows grass clipping onto the network of tubes. This coats the tubes and inhibits the transfer of heat to the outdoors. If the Freon comes back to the compressor hot, it will burn out the motor.
– An air filter cleans airborne particles from the air before it gets to the evaporator chamber. When this collection of pollen, dust, and dander gets too thick, it restricts airflow and makes the blower motor work harder. The air has less time with the evaporator, so cooling takes more time.
– Any dust or matter that makes its way past the air filter can collect on the wet evaporator coil. This also restricts the transfer of heat into the Freon gas. When it washes into the drain pan, this dust can clog the drain line.
– The blower motor works incredibly hard, and it needs some attention. Some fans are turned by a belt or chain; belts wear out over time. The bearings may or may not need to be lubricated from time to time.
– Sensors, such as the thermostat, regulate switches and control mechanisms. Batteries may need to be replaced, and the sensors recalibrated.
An AC maintenance visit will cover and care for all these important components.
Let Doctor Cool Help You Prepare for Summer with Essential AC Maintenance
Understanding the intricate process of heat removal, rather than simply “cooling,” highlights why consistent AC maintenance is paramount. By addressing key components like condenser cleanliness, air filter changes, and blower motor care, you ensure your system operates efficiently and avoids costly breakdowns. Investing in professional AC maintenance not only extends the lifespan of your AC unit but also guarantees a comfortable and energy-efficient summer. Prioritizing these essential steps will keep your home cool and your energy bills manageable throughout the long cooling season.
As an award-winning, BBB-accredited AC Maintenance League City and HVAC installation contractor serving the League City and surrounding area, we pride ourselves in providing exceptional service to our customers. Call Doctor Cool & Professor Heat today at 281-338-8751 or email Doctor Cool.
