Your air conditioner is a powerhouse that works hard to keep the air in your home cool, dry, and comfortable. Most people don’t give their air conditioning system much thought–until there is an issue.
Understanding the basics of how a central air conditioner works can help you make better decisions when buying and maintaining your home’s cooling system. This article will explain how your central air conditioner works, how to keep it running efficiently, and where to find a Denver HVAC company when you need one.
Understanding Your Central Air Conditioner: The Basics
Many people don’t think too much about their air conditioners. You set the desired temperature and wait for the system to kick in and cool your home. Central air conditioner systems have several components that work together to keep you comfortable in warmer temps. The more you know about your central air conditioner, the more prepared you’ll be when it’s time to maintain or replace it.
First, thinking about your central air conditioner as a huge, whole-home refrigerator can be helpful. Air conditioners and refrigerators actually work in similar ways and have some of the same components.
The process begins in an air-handling unit, which is typically located in a basement, attic, or other out-of-the-way location. The air-handling unit starts up and pulls air from around the house via return ducts. This air is filtered to remove dust, dander, mold, and other indoor pollutants.
Air conditioners and refrigerators both use refrigerant to change liquid to gas and then back to liquid as it moves through elements that collect and disperse heat. In an air conditioning system, this process creates cold air, which is then distributed throughout your house via a blower and vents.
Cooled air is circulated throughout your home until your chosen indoor temperature is achieved. The system turns off until the indoor temperature rises and more cool air is needed.
Maintaining Your Central Air Conditioner
Your central air conditioner has many components that work together to keep you cool and comfortable when temperatures soar. Taking the time to do some simple, routine maintenance can increase the life of your central air conditioning system and help it run perfectly for years.
Here are some simple things you can do to keep your air conditioner in tip-top shape.
- Keep the outdoor condensing unit clean by hosing off dirt, dust, and debris
- Clear away shrubs, tall grass, and other obstructions from the outdoor unit
- Replace your air filter once a month during high-use seasons
- Clean out drain channels–consult the user’s manual for instructions
- Cover the outdoor condensing unit in the winter
Have regular, professional checks and maintenance to avoid larger issues down the road. An experienced HVAC company can provide yearly tune-ups to check for common problems and keep your system running efficiently when you need it most.
Find a Denver HVAC Company
Are you ready for a more efficient HVAC system, or do you need to repair an existing one? Find knowledgeable help from a Denver HVAC company you can trust by contacting Sparks HVAC today. Our team can assist you with maintenance, repairs, and installation of a wide range of HVAC systems. Don’t put up with an HVAC system that doesn’t work–call us today.