HVAC heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration system component identification guide: This article lists and explains the function of the basic components of an air conditioning or heat pump systems and provides detailed inspection, diagnostic, and repair advice. We include photographs to assist readers inrecognizing cooling system defects. Example home inspection report language is provided to describe common air conditioning system components and their defects. If your air conditioning or heat pump system has lost its cooling capacity or won't start see REPAIR GUIDE for AIR CONDITIONERS. See How to determine the cooling capacity of air conditioning equipment if the system seems to be working but is inadequate to cool your building. Contact us to suggest text changes and additions and, if you wish, to receive online listing and credit for that contribution. At What are the Parts of an Air Conditioning System and How do Air Conditioners Work? we explained the main parts of an air conditioning system and we described the sequence of steps that make an air conditioner work to cool indoor air.

Below we begin a more detailed A/C system inspection list of air conditioning system components. If your air conditioning system is not working properly, see REPAIR GUIDE for AIR CONDITIONERS The air conditioning system (and heat pump) components introduced here are discussed in detail and are illustrated by photographs and drawings throughout this website using the links at the left of these pages. We explain how to inspect, diagnose, repair, or select, purchase, and install air conditioning systems or their individual parts and components. These components are discussed in detail and are illustrated by photographs and drawings throughout this website using the links at the left of these pages. Above we show two typical compressor/condenser units outdoors. The main internal components of the compressor/condenser unit are listed below: Compressor motor - on residential units this is normally a hermetically-sealed motor-compressor combined in a single unit like the Carrier(TM) unit shown

If a ductless split-system is installed an outside compressor/condenser unit is still required, typically containing thenew indoor ac unit very same functions but perhaps more compact, looking like the Sanyo(TM)window air conditioner filter change unit shown at above right. how to hook up an air conditioning unitSketch courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates. An air conditioning compressor is a specialized pump which draws refrigerant gas back to the compressor/condenser unit from the in-building air handler and evaporator coil. The compressor compresses the returning low-pressure refrigerant gas to a high pressure (and high temperature) form. In a "split" air conditioning system, multiple indoor evaporator coils and blower units may be served by a single outdoor compressor unit such as the Sanyo unit shown

at the top of this page. That unit was handling the compressor/condenser function for two wall-mounted, ductless indoor cooling units, one of which is shown in the right hand photo at "List of Indoor Components" above. Split systems like this do not make use of ductwork. Sketch of the condenser coil courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates. Condensing coil receives high pressure refrigerant gas from the compressor and cools this refrigerant gas back to a liquid state. Electrical controls: shut-off switch(es) for service at the unit are provided to permit maintenance and repair of the equipment. Circuit breaker(s) at the electrical panel protect the circuit supplying power to the air conditioning system. Fan an outdoor cooling fan in the compressor/condenser unit moves outdoor air across the condensing coil to cool it and assist in condensing the high pressure, high temperature refrigerant gas back into a liquid. It is this process which completes the transfer of heat through the refrigerant from indoor air to outdoor air

as the compressor/condenser unit compresses and then cools the refrigerant back to a liquid. : these pipes, typically made of copper, include a low-pressure "suction line" which returns low pressure refrigerant gas from the indoor evaporator coil (cooling coil) outlet to the outdoor compressor motor inlet. The high pressure refrigerant line connects the compressor outlet to the outdoor condensing coil inlet (gas) and further connects the condensing coil outlet to the indoor thermal expansion valve which meters high pressure refrigerant into the "low-side" evaporator coil (cooling coil) in the air handler unit in the building. are usually present on the refrigeration lines near the compressor. These valves permit testing the condition of the air conditioning system and permit removal, replacement, or additions to the refrigerant in the system. This photograph of a split system compressor/condenser outdoor unit shows four refrigerant lines and their sets of service ports.

larger diameter copper pipes are the low pressure or suction lines and the smaller diameter pipes are the high pressure lines returning refrigerant to the indoor cooling units. The screw caps visible at the piping connectors where they enter the unit can be removed to provide access to special connecting valves to which the service technician can connect her set of gauges to measure system operating pressures on these lines. unless you're a trainedYou may lose refrigerant or contaminate the system, leading to improper system operation or a costly Continue reading at A/C INSPECTION CHECKLIST - OUTDOOR UNIT or select a topic from the More Reading links or topic ARTICLE INDEX shown below. Or see AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS - homeCompare Wall bracket for air conditioning outdoor unit New Vision (Beijing) Technology And Trade Co., Ltd. US $2-6 100 Sets Transaction Level< Return to Blog If you’re shopping around for a new central air conditioner for your home, you’ve probably seen that there are two main types:

But do you know which one your home has or why? In this blog you’ll learn: The differences between these two systems The pros and cons of each How to know which one fits your home’s needs Split air conditioning system What it is: In a split-system central air conditioner there are two parts an outdoor metal cabinet and an indoor cabinet. That’s why it’s called a “split” system. The outdoor cabinet contains the condenser and compressor and typically sits on a concrete slab outside your home. The indoor cabinet contains the evaporator and is usually located in the attic or a closet. The indoor cabinet also typically includes a furnace (or the inside part of a heat pump). The indoor and outdoor units are connected by a refrigerant line. Here’s a simple diagram of a split system: Greater energy efficiency possibilities - Split air conditioning systems have SEER ratings from 13 to 23. Labor costs - Labor costs more because you are installing a unit outside the house and also inside (usually in the attic or crawlspace, depending on the type of air handler).

Also, the system can’t be charged with refrigerant until it has been set in place, which adds to the cost. When you’d want this: It’s a more cost efficient choice if your home already has a furnace, and you are purchasing a new air conditioning unit or replacing an older unit. Learn more about this on Energy.gov’s website. Packaged air conditioning system What it is: The evaporator, condenser, and compressor are all located in one cabinet and thus “packaged” together. This single cabinet is usually placed on a roof. Some packaged air conditioners can include electric heating coils or a natural gas furnace. That means you won’t need a separate furnace inside. Space efficiency - Unlike split-system units, the package unit has all the components in one place. Cheaper installation - Since packaged units can come pre-charged with refrigerant, and they are only installed outside, installation is cheaper than a split unit. Limited energy efficiency: Packaged units typically have a SEER rating from 10 to 18.