Air Conditioning Basics—Did You Know?

Since the dawn of mankind, people have been using some form of air conditioning to cool their homes. The first popularized technique was known as “evaporative cooling,” where water, ice, or snow is left out to evaporate, causing the temperature in the air to decrease.

An American engineer named Willis Carrier built the first electrical air conditioner, or AC, unit at the turn of the twentieth century. His invention used coils filled with cold water, which allowed the machine to control the temperature and humidity of the air. His basic model is still used today.

Our Guide

Scott Brothers Heating & Air is proud to keep hardworking homeowners like you in Boone, NC, cool! Our team is happy to accommodate you for all of your cooling requirements. If you need an installation, maintenance checkup, or repair, we’re here to help.

From day one, we’ve believed that honesty is the best policy.

We want to give you plenty of time to ask us questions, so you can make the best decision. To help keep our customers informed, we’ve created the following cheat sheet.

Your air conditioner is made up of four main components:

1. Condenser

This is the box unit that sits outdoors. It regulates heat transfer.

2. Compressor

This is the pump inside the condenser that pressurizes the refrigerant.

3. Evaporator

This part converts the liquid refrigerant into gas.

4. Expansion valve

This part expands and contracts, managing the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator.

Here are some common problems you might experience with your air conditioner, and how you can prevent them:

1.Open doors/windows

When outside air gets into the house, it disrupts the cooling process. You’ll probably end up with a higher energy bill, and your home won’t be as cold as you’d like it to be. If you’re diligent about keeping your doors and windows closed, you’ll save money and optimize the performance of your air conditioner.

2. Leaks and/or blockages in the air flow

Leaks and/or blockages in the ductwork are a common culprit for a faulty air system. If you find that the temperature in your home changes unpredictably, your ducts may not be getting proper air flow. If you suspect this to be the case, give our professionals a call for a speedy diagnosis and repair.

3. Dirty filters/coils

Filters keep dust from circulating and improve your air quality. After about a month, your filter becomes too dirty to act as a safeguard. This is why we recommend having your filter changed once a month. Dirty coils pose a problem too. Coils should be cleaned at least once a year, during maintenance checkups.

4. Clogged condensate drain

The condensate drain expels water from the unit’s dehumidifying process. If a condensate drain is clogged, it can cause serious damage to your HVAC system, as well as flooding and mold. Clogged condensate drains require immediate attention from a professional to prevent damage to your unit as well as your home.

We at Scott Brothers Heating & Air recommend keeping this air conditioner-basics guide handy. Please contact us at 336-877-1702 if you have any questions about HVAC installation, maintenance, or repair.

Contact the experts!