A Quick Guide To The Parts That Make Up Your Air Conditioner If you’ve gotten a quote for installing a new central air conditioning unit recently, you might have been a bit confused by the lingo that was used to name the different parts of the system. What does a condenser and coil have to do with anything? You just wanted a quote on a new ac unit right? Let me shed a little light on the terms that describe each of the components that make up your air conditioning system. That round’ish piece of equipment that sits outside on the ground that everyone refers to as their air conditioner is technically referred to as a condenser. You’ll also hear it called the ‘outside unit’ as well. Part of your condenser is called a coil, or condenser coil, not to be confused with the evaporator coil that is inside your home attached to the furnace. This is the piece of your air conditioning system that most people never see. It’s contained in a metal box called a plenum, and sits on top of your furnace.

If you have a horizontal furnace in an attic, the evaporator coil will sit on one end of the furnace instead of on top. The ‘inside unit’ or ‘indoor coil’ are other common names that are used when talking about your evaporator coil. Lineset refers to the copper refrigerant lines that run from your condenser (the outside unit) to your evaporator coil. It’s very common for people to make the mistake of calling their outside unit the compressor instead of the condenser. A compressor is actually a big component that sits inside the condenser (the outside unit). The plenum is the metal box that sits on top of your furnace and houses the evaporator coil. The condensate drain is the white plastic (PVC) pipe that runs from your evaporator coil to the drain in your floor, or to the condensate pump that was installed if you don’t have a floor drain. This pipe allows the condensate (moisture) that the evaporator coil produces to be drained out of the plenum. I get questions about the names for these air conditioner components all the time, so hopefully this helps clear up any confusion as to what the different parts are called.

I’ll post another article explaining what each of these components do for those of you who want to dazzle your friends with your detailed knowledge of how air conditioning actually works. of 373results12345NextDidn't find what you were looking for?magnifying glassRepairing Your Air Conditioner or Heater Versus Replacing It - If your air conditioning or heating system fails occasionally you are faced with a choice, to repair the existing unit by replacing parts or by buying a new air conditioner or heater. digital ac unitSome air conditioning and heating companies push a certain solution based on what is convenient or what method earns them the most money. hvac mini split unitsGet the solution that is best for your situation and a needs. ac unit window installation

Don;t be pressured into making a snap decision, first get the facts from Ra-Jac Air. What to Consider - If your air conditioning or heating system fails occasionally you are faced with a choice, to repair the existing unit by replacing parts or by buying a new air conditioner or heater. You should decide whether to repair or replace a unit based on what is in your best interest. To help with this important decision we have gathered this important information for you to consider. The Three Main Factors - When considering whether to replace your existing unit the three main factors to consider are the life expectancy, efficiency, and current condition of the unit. Each must be considered carefully before you decide whether to repair or replace your air conditioning or heating unit. If any of these factors is a problem area then you should consider replacement and if two or three are problems then replacement is almost always your best bet. Life Expectancy - Most units last only eight to twelve years, after that point they become expensive to repair and break down often.

After this time the parts are sometimes discontinued which causes them to be more expensive if not completely unavailable. If you live in an area near the ocean or with a high salt content the life span of your unit may be even shorter due to corrosion. Consider the age of your equipment when you decide whether to replace or repair your unit. If a unit is eight years old or older it is nearing its life expectancy. You can add at least four years to this number if you have consistently had it professionally maintained during this time. Efficiency - If you completely restore an aging unit, which is expensive to do, you will still only have the efficiency that it was rated for when it was manufactured at best. Older units are much less efficient that newer ones due to constant improvement and increasing energy standards imposed by the government so replacing your unit can save you money if your units is old and inefficient. Units are rated by S.E.E.R. or seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating.

An easy way to understand these ratings is as follows; a unit that is rated at 10 S.E.E.R. gets ten units of cooling for a set amount of electricity a unit rated 14 S.E.E.R. gets 14 units for the same amount of electricity so you get 40% more cooing for the same amount. Savings of up to up to 60 percent or more on your electric or gas bill is possible when you replace it with high efficient equipment. In a lot of cases installing a new furnace and or air conditioning system can pay for itself in energy savings within a relatively short time. Current Condition - Consider the current condition of your unit when you decide whether to repair or replace your air conditioning and heating unit. Factors to consider are the quality of the equipment (reputable brand, builders model, etc.) number of breakdowns and how often the unit has been maintained. If your unit hasn't been maintained or is an inferior quality or has frequent breakdowns consider replacement as a serious option. No matter the skill of the installer or service professional there is little that can be done with a unit that is in very poor condition besides restoring the unit which is almost always prohibitively expensive.

Getting Professional Advice from a Reputable Company - A reputable company can help educate the consumer so that they can make an informed decision about the replacement or the repair of an existing air conditioner or heater. Repairing your unit may be the cheapest solution in the short term but may be more expensive down the road. If your unit is old, breaks down often and consumes more energy than a newer system installing a new system can more than pay for itself over time. If not then simple repairs may be the smarter option. A reputable company should be able to walk you through your options. In the end the decision is yours. Note on Matching Systems and other Pitfalls - Whenever your condensing unit goes out most reputable air conditioning technicians will recommend that you replace your indoor air handler at the same time because the two units must be matched so that your new outdoor unit can work at maximum efficiency. Improperly matched units will shorten the life span of your new unit.

This is just one of the many pitfalls that need to be avoided when replacing a system. Do not make a serious mistake when buying a system. Consult a reputable professional. Company Profile of Ra-Jac Services Air Conditioning and Heating TX - Our goal - Since 1966 we have been providing professional and affordable residential, commercial and industrial air conditioning and heating service and installation to our customers in and around the Galveston County area. Our goal is exemplary service built on honesty, education, certification, and high ethical standards. As a result we are quickly growing into one of the leading heating and air condition service companies in the Southern Texas area. Our Texas Service Areas -- If you are in the Algoa, Arcadia, Bacliff, Bayou Vista, Clear Lake City, Clear Lake Shores, Dickinson, El Lago, Friendswood, Galveston, Hitchcock, Kemah, La Marque, League City, Nasa Area, Nassau Bay, San Leon, Santa Fe, Seabrook, Taylor Lake Village, Texas City, Tiki Island, or the Webster Texas areas and want a professional to service, install, or maintain your air conditioning