The central air conditioner is the most common unit you will find in most homes. On first look, the unit looks complex, but according to AC contractors, it’s straightforward and works almost like a refrigerant.

Components of the air conditioner

The unit is made up of the indoor and outdoor units. The outdoor unit features a condenser coil, fan, motor, compressor, and disconnect switch. The indoor unit has some components such as condensate tray, evaporator coil, ductwork, drain pipe, and ductwork.

The refrigerant is a major player in this unit. It circulates between the indoor and outdoor evaporator coils. When the refrigerant is inside, it absorbs heat from the room. It then moves to the compressor where its compressed as the heat is removed. The cold refrigerant then goes back to the evaporator coils. When this is happening, the blower forces air through the cooling coils into the inside of the house via the ductwork.

How to take care of the central air conditioner

For the unit to continue functioning optimally, you need to take good care of it. The cool thing is that there are many ways of doing it. Some of these ways include:

Replace the air filter: While the air filter seems like a simple unit, HVAC contractors observe that it’s valuable for the proper functioning of the air conditioner. The primary role of the filter is to trap dust from the outside. In one or two months, it traps enough dust that it gets clogged. This not only prevents it from catching more dust, but it also forces the unit to work harder than it should thus you end up paying high energy bills. The clogged filters also reduce the lifespan of the unit.

To increase the lifespan of your air conditioner and also save money on your cooling costs, replace the filters every month. You can do it sooner if your unit is always working.

Tune it up: AC tune-up is similar to the tune-up you do to your car. At the end of the year or as the year begins you hire an AC technician to inspect all the areas of the air conditioner and fix any issues it might be having. The contractor should thoroughly examine both the indoor and outdoor units.

Conclusion

This is what you need to know about the central air conditioner. If properly installed and well maintained, the unit can last for decades. To make it possible, work with a reputable HVAC company.