A refrigerant such as Freon mixed with a small amount of a lightweight oil (to lubricate the compressor) is compressed by the compressor causing it to become a hot, high pressure gas, this hot gas runs through a series of coils (the red coils in diagram) and with the help of the fan dissipates this heat In this process the freon cools and condenses into a liquid which then runs thru an expansion valve, at which point the liquid evaporates to become cold low pressure gas (blue coils in diagram). series of coils and with assistance of a second fan, absorbs the heat and thereby cools the inside of the building. Hot air to Outside B - Fan to help improve heat transfer from coils to outside. C - Fan for more efficient transfer of cool air to inside. D - Expansion Valve F - Cool Air to Inside The cooling coils (blue) causes moisture in the warmer inside air to condense into water which drips and runs to the outside of the building, this condensation

process lowers the humidity on the inside. This condensation principle is also Refrigerators work on the same principle, the red portion of the coils run up the outside rear of the refrigerator and the blue portion of the coils run inside the insulated walls of the fridge. To cool down the freezer portion of the fridge cooler than the rest of the fridge, more coils are run in that area than thru other parts of the refrigerator. This is all a basic description of how air conditioners work, in real life, thermostats are added to set desired temperature, protection devices to protect the compressor from overheating. If inadequate or obstructed air vents on the air conditioner can cause the unit to severely ice up to the point where air flow is blocked. shut down the unit and let the unit defrost completely, sometimes you can select to have the fan to run (without running the compressor) to speed the defrost Once defrosted, ensure that no blockage of air flow exists.

like drapes or curtains that cover the inside front of the air conditioner is enough to impede air flow and cause it to ice up. A very close dresser in some circumstance can also have an effect on air flow. For a central air conditioner, the compressor and the red coils ( as illustrated in the diagram) sit in an outside unit , the blue coils (as illustrated in the diagram) is installed in the forced air plenum of the furnace, the fancentral air conditioning units problems inside the furnace is used help in transfer of heat to the coils and allowingsplit unit air conditioners prices the cooler air to be forced into the interior of the house.top ac units brands QUESTION: Our outdoor central air-conditioner compressor unit is located in the hot afternoon sun.

Is there any type of cover I can make myself to shade it so it operates more efficiently?ANSWER: Keeping the outdoor compressor unit and the air surrounding it cooler can make your central air conditioner operate more efficiently. Condenser coils can dissipate more heat when the air around them is cooler.In addition to better efficiency, the maximum cooling output from your air conditioner is greater when the air around it is cooler. This is particularly important on the hottest summer afternoons, when you need the greatest amount of cooling output to keep your house comfortable.Shading the entire side of your house and the outdoor air-conditioner unit is most effective. This can be done with trees or an awning. Particularly with a brick, masonry or stucco house, the house wall acts like a huge solar collector and actually raises the temperature of the air around the air conditioner.You can make a simple cover to shade your air conditioner outdoor unit. Check with your air-conditioning contractor about the proper clearance for air flow.

Adequate air flow is essential for high efficiency.One effective air conditioner cover provides both shade and storage. Depending on how large you make this storage/air conditioner cover, you can store your garden tools, fertilizers, etc. Also, the larger you make it, the more shade it provides.It is basically a plywood storage compartment built several feet back (check with your contractor) from the condenser unit. Build it with a sloped roof (for shade) that extends up over the condenser unit and attaches to your house. The sloped roof gives added height for adequate clearance and it blends better with the lines of most houses.Make the frame for the storage unit/cover with any common lumber. Cover the storage compartment with plywood siding. Install a piano hinge on the top so you can open it.Nail the plywood siding over the rest of the sloped top to cover the condenser unit. Leave the sides by the condenser uncovered to allow for adequate air flow.You can write to me at the address below for Utility Bills Update No. 161 showing a diagram and do-it-yourself instructions for making a storage unit/air-conditioner cover.

Please include $1 and a self-addressed stamped business-size envelope.Rectangular Ducts Less Efficient Than RoundQ: I am building a new house and am at the point of installing the heating and air-conditioning duct work. Is it better to use round or rectangular duct work?A: From strictly an energy efficiency standpoint, a round duct is more efficient than a rectangular one. The air flow is freer and there is less duct surface area for a given duct cross-sectional area. This means less warmth or "coolth" is lost through the duct-work surface before the conditioned air gets to your rooms.Rectangular duct work is more convenient to run between wall studs. Both types of duct are often used in the same system. Round ducts can be run from the air handler to rectangular ducts in the walls. No matter which type of duct is used, be sure to seal carefully all the joints with duct tape. Also, insulate any ducts that run through an unconditioned space.Protect Your Air ConditionerYour air conditioner unit will operate more efficiently if it is shaded from the sun.