Air Conditioning Vocab: Know How Your Unit Works
Ever wonder what exactly our technicians are doing when they repair a broken AC system? Whether we service you in Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer or Ocean County, we love any client that takes an interest in what we do! Learn some of our basic lingo to better understand what’s wrong with your AC!
Condenser – The condenser is the part of the system that is outside the house. It is home to the compressor, condenser coils (which are a network of refrigerant-filled tubing) and a fan used to disperse the heat.
Compressor – This high pressure pump is powered by an electric motor and works to condense the refrigerant back into a liquid so it can be cycled back into the house again to cool the air.
Evaporator – Another important part of the air conditioner is the evaporator, which sits inside the house. This is where you can find the evaporator coils—refrigerant-filled tubing that absorbs the heat in the air. If you have ever had a problem with cool air not coming out of the vents in your house, chances are it had something to do with your evaporator.
Blower – This is a component of the air conditioning system that is connected to the evaporator and air handling unit. While the evaporator is mostly responsible for starting the conversion process of hot air to cool air, the blower, which is connected to the ductwork in your home, is the component that actually pushes the air out of the vent.
Ductwork – Your ductwork is an incredibly important part of your air conditioning system because it’s what allows the conditioned air to travel through the rooms of your home, as well as returning it to the evaporator to be heated or cooled. Properly sized ductwork is vital to the performance of your air conditioning system, and it should always be sized and fitted by a professional HVAC technician.
Filter – How many times have you had your air conditioning system repaired only to find that the filter needed to be replaced? The air filter is an extremely vital part to your AC system because it’s responsible for collecting dust, pathogens and other particles that would otherwise be in the air you breathe. Over time, it can clog up your system, which is why it needs to be replaced every one to three months. This is one of the most common problems in the air conditioning industry, and luckily it’s pretty easy to fix!
Thermostat – This is used to control the temperature and performance of your air conditioning system. Of course, the easiest way to maximize control of your AC is by installing a programmable thermostat for your home. This allows you to customize the function of your air conditioner throughout the day, such as having the temperature raise when you’re at work or school.
Was the term you were looking for not in this list? Not to worry. Our HVAC Glossary of Terms provides comprehensive definitions to dozens of terms common in our industry. If you’re in the New Jersey area, feel free to contact us with any HVAC or air conditioning questions.
