Over 90% of households in the US have air conditioning systems installed. We all need AC systems to maintain the desired temperature of our homes, especially during the summer when open windows and doors do not bring the relief we need.

In this post, we cover everything you didn’t know you needed to know about your air conditioning system – types, how it works, myths, basic DIY maintenance tips, and more.

9 Types of AC Systems

There is an air conditioning system to fit any need you may have. The two most popular types of air conditioning systems include window AC systems and split AC systems.

Let’s define what these are along with the other seven types of AC systems.

  1. Central AC – Central air conditioning systems comprise of both an indoor and an outdoor unit. They utilize this split system to regulate air through ducts installed in your home. The indoor unit includes the fan, coils, the evaporator, AC blower fan that circulates air throughout your home, and filter that traps dust and airborne particles. Likewise, the outdoor unit consists of the compressor and the condenser coil. The split system can be a single-stage system, double-stage system, or multi-stage system; with lesser noise and more efficiency the higher you go.
  2. Portable Air Conditioner – Portable air conditioning units are similar to packaged and window AC systems. All the AC components are fitted in one unit. While the packaged AC system is mounted completely outside, and the window AC unit is fixed on your window, the portable air conditioning unit is a free-standing and mobile unit that can be moved from room to room.
  3. Ductless Mini-Splits – Like the split system, ductless AC systems have both an outdoor unit and at least one indoor unit connected by copper refrigerant tubing and electrical wiring. The ductless AC system has a similar operation to the split system. They are an easy option for households that do not have ductwork.
  4. Floor Mounted – A floor-mounted AC is an easy option for homeowners who prefer a mini-split but lack the space or room design for wall-mounting. Compared to wall mounted-units, floor ACs cool your room quickly and more uniformly.
  5. Window Units – Window AC systems are installed mostly on your window or mounted across a hole in your wall. They are suitable for cooling only single rooms or small spaces. Similar to a packaged AC system, window ACs are standalone ACs, with all the components fitted in one unit. They are relatively cheaper than split units.
  6. Smart ACs – Smart ACs are wifi-enabled ACs that can be controlled using an app on your smartphone. They can be a mini-split, window, or portable AC. With smart air conditioning, you have a wide range of controls at your fingertips.
  7. Packaged Units – Packaged AC systems are installed entirely outdoors with all the air conditioning components fitted in one unit. There are no separate indoor or outdoor units in the packaged AC system. The packaged AC system is powered by electricity and is connected to the ductwork of the building through a hole in the outside wall. Due to their high cooling capacity, they are best suited for commercial purposes or larger homes.
  8. Hybrid / Dual Fuel – Hybrid/dual-fuel air conditioning units alternate between a gas furnace and an electric air source for heating and cooling your home throughout the year. They switch to the heat pump process for cooling or the gas furnace process for heating, depending on the outdoor temperature. The switch between the heating and cooling processes can be done automatically or you can make a manual switch too.
  9. Geothermal Heating and Cooling – The geothermal cooling process is very similar to the way the typical air conditioning system works. In the case of air conditioners, the heat from indoor air is exchanged and released outside in the atmosphere, but for geothermal cooling systems, the heat is released underground.

7 Main Components of an Air Conditioning System

No one expects you to understand the complex engineering principle of your AC unit. However, it helps to have a basic idea of the different parts of your AC unit and their function.

Regardless of the type of installation, virtually all kinds of air conditioning units consist of seven main parts, which include:

  1. Evaporator – The evaporator is a part of the AC system that plays a key role in removing heat from indoor air. The evaporator conducts heat exchange by removing heat and humidity from the indoor air using refrigerants.
  2. Condenser – Located in the outdoor unit, the condenser collects the refrigerant from the compressor, converts it back to liquid, releases the collected heat in the refrigerant into the atmosphere, before sending the refrigerant back into the unit.
  3. Compressor – The compressor functions like a pump. It receives the gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator, compresses it, before sending it to the condenser.
  4. Expansion Valve – The expansion valve, also known as a throttle device or regulator, is used to control the amount of refrigerant that flows into the evaporator coil.
  5. AC Fan – The outdoor AC fan blows air over the condenser, to dissipate the heat outside, while the indoor fan is used to remove indoor air from your room and blows chilly dry back into the room/
  6. Filter – The filter of your AC unit is used to remove dust and airborne particles from the indoor air before it is sent to the evaporator coil for cooling.
  7. Thermostat – The thermostat is one of the most important components of your AC unit. It is responsible for monitoring the indoor air temperature of your room and sends a signal to the air conditioning system to cool. The thermostat allows homeowners to have total control over the desired room temperature.

How Does an AC System Work?

Virtually all types of AC systems have the same general working principle.

The cooling process begins when the thermostat senses and signals that the temperature needs to be lowered. This triggers the fan from the indoor unit to pull air into the AC system through return ducts and filters. The indoor air is passed across the AC evaporator coil where a liquid refrigerant absorbs the heat from the indoor air and is vaporized. Cool air is sent back to your room through a series of ducts by the AC blower fan. The refrigerant gas is further compressed and condensed back to liquid before it is sent back into the evaporator coils.

The cycle is repeated until the desired indoor temperature is achieved.

9 Common AC Problems

Even when you take all the precautions, there is still a chance your AC may break down.

When you notice any of the following symptoms, it is recommended that you reach out to the most trusted air conditioner repair service near you for help.

  1. Blows Weak Air – It takes forever for a malfunctioning AC to cool your home. This can be very unsettling. Some causes of AC blowing weak air include faulty AC motors, dirty filters, leaking ducts, vents blockage, and low refrigerant levels.
  2. Water Leak (Indoor and Outdoor) – Another common air conditioning problem is water leaking from the indoor AC unit, causing wet walls, furniture, and/or floor. Some causes of water leaks include a broken condensation pump or a condensate drain that is clogged by the growth of fungi or algae. A puddle of water around your AC unit on hot dry days may signal a water leak from an outdoor component. Some causes of outdoor water leak include clogged AC filter, broken condensate pan, bad AC seal, or improper installation.
  3. AC Smells Bad – It is not normal for AC systems to produce a smell. Using an air freshener or purifier to mask any smell you notice from your AC only makes the situation worse.
  4. Compressor AC Fan Failure – The outdoor compressor unit has a fan that removes the heat from your indoor air. If the compressor fan is faulty, the heat is not removed and this can lead to multiple problems. First, your home will not be properly cooled. Secondly, your compressor may overheat and shut down as a safety measure.
  5. Broken Thermostat – A broken thermostat can lead to all kinds of problems including failure to adjust the temperature and failure to turn on or switch off your air conditioning system.
  6. AC Refrigerant Leak – AC refrigerant is the invisible force behind the cooling of your air conditioner. When there is a leak, your AC will find it difficult to cool the air in your room. Because of how toxic these chemicals can be, a DIY repair is not advised.
  7. Dirty Filter – Your AC filter is responsible for keeping the airflow clean and free from dust, pollutants, and other airborne particles. If your AC filter gets clogged, the free flow will be restricted. As a result, your system will have to work harder than necessary. Except for special cases, change your AC filter at least once every 3 months to keep your AC in good working condition.
  8. Frozen Evaporator Coil – The evaporator coils carry the refrigerant. This may sound contradictory, but the evaporator coil freezes when your unit does not receive enough warm indoor air. If this happens, the entire unit will shut off.
  9. Capacitors Failure – The capacitor sends a jolt of electricity to activate the motor that turns on your AC system. When your AC turns off and is accompanied by a clicking sound, it may signal a capacitor failure. Some causes leading to capacitor damage include poorly calibrated thermostat, overheating (when your AC works too hard in the hot summer), and frequent power fluctuations.

5 Basic Maintenance Tips for Your AC Unit

Indoor air quality is important.

Don’t wait until you experience headaches, aggravated allergies, elevated asthma, fatigue, coughing, dry eyes, and skin rashes before you take care of your AC unit.

The following are basic DIY maintenance tips to improve the performance of your air conditioner unit:

  1. Clean or Change AC Filters – When your AC filter is clogged, your AC unit has to work harder. This means more energy is spent. Change your filters regularly to maintain the efficiency of your cooling system and the quality of air in your home.
  2. Make Your Home Draft-Proof – Ensure your doors and windows are free of drafts to maintain the internal temperature you want without putting more pressure on your air conditioning system. By making your home draft-proof, you can reduce up to 5% to 30% of the energy spent in your home.
  3. Use Window Coverings – Windows are great solar collectors, especially during hot summer days. Use window coverings to keep the sun from heating your room, thereby making your air conditioner work harder by spending more energy.
  4. Always Keep the Outdoor Unit Tidy – Keep grass, weeds, and debris away from the outdoor unit to keep it running as efficiently as possible.
  5. Keep Thermostat Away From Extra Heat Sources – Keep lamps and other heat-producing appliances away from your thermostat. This can trick your thermostat into thinking it’s hotter in the room than it is and switch the AC on more frequently.

Repair or Replacement: Which Do You Need?

When your AC unit is faulty and you call for professional help, there are two possible solutions to get your AC system working again, repair or replace.

How can you tell if your air conditioner needs a repair or if it’s time to replace the unit?

Below are 7 questions that can help determine whether you need to repair or replace your AC unit.

  1. How Old Is Your AC Unit? On average, the lifespan of air conditioning systems in the United States is between 10 to 25 years. Some brands may last up to 20 years. However, HVAC experts recommend that you should make plans to replace your air conditioning system if it has lasted up to 10 years.
  2. What Is the Cost of a Repair? Common AC system problems like clogged drains or dirty filters do not call for a replacement of your system. However, a replacement will make more sense if you are faced with a repair bill that is close to (or more than) 50% of the AC’s total value.
  3. Is Your AC Still Running on Freon? The refrigerant known as R22, HCFC-22, or Freon was officially phased out on January 1, 2020. This means that both the production and import of freon are currently prohibited in the US. If your unit is still using this outdated refrigerant, a new system is inevitable and should be installed sooner rather than later.
  4. How Well Is Your Current Unit Maintained? Regular maintenance like AC filter cleaning and/or replacement, cleaning the outdoor unit, and having an AC maintenance plan increase the lifespan of your air conditioning system. When a component fails, a repair would be a better option. However, if your system is poorly maintained, fixing a failed component may lead to the failure of another and so on until the repair bills pile up.
  5. Are You Moving Out Soon? If you are planning to move soon, it may be worth it to repair your unit instead of replacing it. However, a new AC can increase your home’s marketability.
  6. Is Your Current System Meeting Your Home Comfort Needs? If your current system is struggling to cool your home on a regular basis, it may be time to consider a replacement. Perhaps your system is wrongly sized for home or near the end of its service life and unable to keep up with demand.
  7. Could You Benefit from New Technology? Air conditioning technology has advanced significantly in recent years. Now you can enjoy luxuries such as smartphone apps that remind you when it’s time to change your filter or clean the condenser, and thermostats that adjust the temperature automatically when you’re out and when you’re home. Sure, these innovations come at a heavier price initially. However, the energy savings, warranties and rebate incentives may make an upgrade worth it.

How To Choose the Right AC Unit

To choose the right AC, you must consider the unique features of your home, including your budget, number of people living in the home, home design, and so on.

What works for others may not be the best for you. Before you decide to purchase a new air conditioning unit, consult an HVAC contractor in Bloomington, IN for help.

The following questions will help you choose the right air conditioning unit:

  • Do You Want a Unit That Can Be Easily Moved? If you need a unit that can be moved from room to room, a portable air conditioner is the only way to go.
  • How Keen Are You About Air Quality? Individuals who have respiratory issues or are keen on air quality may need to change AC filters more frequently. In that case, a floor-mounted AC unit offers the most convenient option.
  • Do You Have Access to Expert Installation Service? Both central air conditioners and ductless mini-split systems require extensive installation that must be performed by professionals.
  • How Important is Energy Conservation? If your electric bill is a huge area of concern, you’ll want to choose an AC unit that will keep energy expenses low. Most energy-efficient AC types like geothermal systems require a relatively high initial cost for purchase and installation.

How Much Does an AC Cost?

As we’ve seen so far, there are different types of air conditioners. The type and cost of an air conditioner will depend on factors like location and unique cooling requirements.

In the United States, you can purchase a new AC system for as low as $3,810 or as high as $12,000.

Some factors that influence the cost of an AC unit include:

  • Installation costs
  • Tax credits and rebates
  • Capacity/power of the system
  • Efficiency – SEER Rating
  • The HVAC equipment you’re not replacing
  • Modifications to your existing system
  • Line set protection

FAQs About Your AC

EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) is the standard measurement of energy efficiency for cooling systems throughout the year. SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) measures an AC unit’s energy performance especially during hotter seasons when the AC system is used. To get the SEER, the cooling output is divided by the electric input. A higher SEER rating suggests a more efficient system. Air conditioning systems with a 13 SEER rating can boost energy efficiency by up to 30 percent.

The answer to this question will depend on factors like the type of air conditioning system, the frequency of use, how many people and/or pets the AC unit serves, and so on. In any case, your AC system should be serviced at least every six months.

For summer, the ideal thermostat temperature is 78 degrees. However, this is still too warm for most comfort levels, so many homeowners keep it closer to 74 degrees. You can keep the thermostat lower and still save money by turning it off entirely when you’re away, at work, or on vacation. 

The time it takes to install an AC unit will depend on the size and scope of the installation project. On average, AC system installation takes 1 to 5 days.

If you live alone, you should change the filter in your AC system at least once every 6-12 months. If you have a family, you should change your filter at least once every 2 months. When you add a pet to the equation, that recommendation changes to 30 days. Some other factors to consider include how often you use your AC unit, how often you clean your home, and if anyone suffers from respiratory ailments.

Keep Cool

Air conditioning doesn’t just chill our homes, it changes what our houses look like, and how we live.
Beyond our personal homes, air conditioning has enabled transatlantic flight, the development of shopping malls, technological innovations, boosts manufacturing processes, and makes summer entertainment possible.
Learning how to properly maintain and care for our AC units are crucial to enjoying the benefits.