Air conditioning is essential for surviving the sweltering Indiana summers. But most people don’t know what happens inside the unit while it’s keeping your home cool.
Two of the most important parts of the air conditioner unit are the condenser and compressor – but what is the difference between them? The HVAC experts at Service Plus are here to explain.
AC Compressor
The compressor and condenser work together to release heat from inside the home and pressurize the refrigerant. The compressor is the heart of the AC system.
Compressors have two openings – one that sucks refrigerant from the evaporator and one that discharges pressurized refrigerant to the condenser coil. Refrigerant needs compression because it works through heat exchange, which tries to balance its temperature with the surrounding air. Since we use AC in warm weather, the refrigerant must be even hotter than the outside temperature, which is why the vapor is pressurized. The refrigerant then moves on to the condenser, where the cooling process occurs.
AC Condenser
Refrigerant gas leaves the compressor and goes to the outside unit’s condenser coil. A large fan pulls outdoor air through the condenser coil, allowing the air to absorb the heat from the home and release it outside. During this process, the refrigerant converts back to a liquid. It then goes through a copper tube back to the indoor unit, passing through an expansion device that regulates refrigerant flow into the evaporator coil. The cold refrigerant then absorbs more heat from the indoor air, and the cycle continues.
The compressor and condenser in your AC unit are essential pieces that work together to make your home cool and comfortable during those hot summer months. If you think you have a problem with either of these parts or need professional air conditioning repair in the Indianapolis metro area, Service Plus can help.
Schedule your next appointment online or give us a call (317) 434-2627.