When it comes to your air conditioner, the more you know about how it works the better you can take care of it. And while many homeowners know that the indoor portion of their air conditioner is responsible for producing cool air, the purpose of the outdoor portion is lesser known. So let’s talk about what role your outside air conditioner unit plays in the cooling process and what you should know about keeping it well-maintained!
What does your outside air conditioner unit do?
The outside portion of your air conditioner is most often referred to as the “condenser unit.” Whereas the inside part of your air conditioner is responsible for absorbing heat from your home’s air, your outside unit’s job is to release that heat to the air outside. Without your air conditioner’s outside unit, the heat that’s removed from your home would have nowhere to go!
What parts are located in your air conditioner’s outside unit?
There are a few different parts located in the outside portion of your air conditioner. The most important of those include:
- The compressor. Your air conditioner’s compressor adds pressure to the refrigerant that it receives from inside your home in order to increase the refrigerant’s temperature and make it easier to transfer heat in the next step of the cooling process.
- Condenser coils and fan. After leaving the compressor, refrigerant flows through your condenser coils. As this happens, a fan blows air over the coils in order to cool them off and release heat to the air outside.
- Refrigerant lines. Refrigerant lines are what connect your indoor and outdoor units in order to cycle refrigerant and continue the cooling process.
How can you take care of your air conditioner’s outside unit?
Because your air conditioner’s condenser unit is located outside, it’s important to take good care of it and protect it from buildup of dirt and debris. The best thing you can do to keep your outside air conditioner unit running efficiently is to have annual maintenance performed by Hydes. During annual maintenance, we’ll inspect your condenser unit for any problems and clean off any dirt that has built up over the year.
Another great way to protect your condenser unit is to make sure that the area around it remains clear. Be sure to remove any plants or shrubbery that have grown around the outside unit and remove any other obstructions to ensure that your system has proper airflow.
If you have any questions about your outside air conditioner unit, or if you’d like a cooling system serviced or installed in your home, contact Hydes, your Coachella Valley air conditioning company.
