Basic Operations
To understand some of the common reasons for the need for an aircon repair, we need to understand its basic operations.
An air conditioning system can cool a building because it removes heat from the indoor air and transfers it outdoors. A chemical refrigerant in the system absorbs the unwanted heat and pumps it through a system of piping to the outside coil. The fan, located in the outside unit, blows outside air over the hot coil, transferring heat from the refrigerant to the outdoor air.
Most air conditioning systems have five mechanical components:
• a compressor
• a condensor
• an evaporator coil
• fan
• a refrigerant gas
Most air conditioning units operate using a split system. That is, they consist of a ‘hot’ side, or the condensing unit—including the condensing coil, the compressor, and the fan—which is situated outside your home, and a ‘cold’ side that is located inside your home.
The cold side consists of an expansion valve and a cold coil, and it is usually part of your fan coil unit. The fan blows air through an evaporator coil, which cools the air. Then this cool air is routed throughout your home using a series of air ducts. The only difference is that both the hot and cold sides are located within the same housing unit.
The compressor (which is controlled by the thermostat) is the ‘heart’ of the system. The compressor acts as the pump, causing the refrigerant to flow through the system. Its job is to draw in a low-pressure, low-temperature, refrigerant in a gaseous state and by compressing this gas, raise the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant. This high-pressure, high-temperature gas then flows to the condenser coil.
The condenser coil is a series of piping with a fan that draws outside air across the coil. As the refrigerant passes through the condenser coil and the cooler outside air passes across the coil, the air absorbs heat from the refrigerant which causes the refrigerant to condense from a gas to a liquid state. The high-pressure, high-temperature liquid then reaches the expansion valve.
The evaporator coil is a series of piping connected to a furnace or air handler that blows indoor air across it, causing the coil to absorb heat from the air. The cooled air is then delivered to the house through ducting. The refrigerant then flows back to the compressor where the cycle starts over again.
Common problems and factors that affect an aircon unit
There are a few problems and factors that should require an aircon repair, but the most common ones are:
- Not blowing cold air – This may indicate a problem with the airflow where numerous things can lead to it, such as a clogged air filter, ductwork problems, a blocked condenser, or refrigerant leaks.
- Leaks – Most water leaks are caused by a lack of maintenance. They can be via failed pumps or blocked drains.
- Noises – Depending on the noise your aircon unit is making, could mean a different problem. They will vary from a refrigerant leak and relay problem to a compressor or electrical one.
If you have any queries about aircon repairs or for a quote, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help!
