How Does Your Central AC System Work?

We know the weather hasn’t been the absolute warmest lately but that doesn’t mean it isn’t going to heat up. When the temperature rises, it will be important to ensure that your central air conditioning in Arlington, TN is going to be up and running effectively. However, it can be hard to tell if and when your AC needs help if you aren’t sure how it works to start out with.

With that in mind, we want to give you a brief crash course on how your AC does its job. Why? So you will be better equipped to know when the time has come to call us for maintenance, repairs, or even a system replacement.

Understanding How Central AC Keeps You Cool

The first step for your AC, of course, begins with your thermostat. When your home rises above a certain temperature, your thermostat will alert your AC that it is time to get to work and start cooling the home.

Once your air conditioner has been given its signal to kick on, it will start cycling the refrigerant in its system and will compress to begin the cooling process.

The refrigerant will be cycled into the indoor unit in your home where it will pull warmth out of the air, thereby producing cooled air which is then blown into your home through the ductwork via the blower fan.

After absorbing all that heat, by the way, the refrigerant is cycled back through to your outdoor system where it is compressed again, releasing the heat outside the home.

Warning Signs Your Central AC Needs Repair

So what are the signs that your air conditioner is struggling to do its job? Let’s take a look at a few possible warning signs based on what part of the system is having a problem. Narrowing down which part of the cooling process that’s struggling can be incredibly helpful for repairs.

• The thermostat is disconnected. If your thermostat becomes disconnected or miscalibrated it won’t be able to give your AC the correct orders, if it can tell it anything at all.
• The refrigerant is leaking. If your system’s refrigerant leaks out it won’t be able to cycle properly. That means there will be issues compressing any refrigerant left in the system. If there is no refrigerant, your system won’t be able to cool the house at all. Low refrigerant levels are a key issue that requires immediate professional attention to avoid long-term damage.
• The fan is broken. A blower fan, or the motor that powers it, having issues means that your AC won’t be able to deliver any cool air to your home.
• The ducts are leaking. Ductwork that leaks air will lose more cooled air than it delivers, leaving you uncomfortable and your AC system working overtime. If your airflow feels uneven or rooms aren’t cooling properly, you may need to inspect your ductwork for damage or disconnections.

Your central air conditioner is made up of a lot of complicated, moving parts. Maintaining a system like this, or providing repairs for it, is going to take expertise. That is what we are known for providing. When your AC is having trouble, reach out to the professionals on our team to schedule your services.

Since 1943, it’s been Automatic in Memphis! Contact Automatic Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing today.