When the summer heat hits the Inland Northwest, you want to ensure that your home stays cool and comfortable. Mainstream Electric, Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing, a trusted name in home services since 2000, is here to help you understand how central air conditioning works to keep your Spokane home at the perfect temperature.
The Basics of Central Air Conditioning
A central air conditioning system is designed to cool your entire home by circulating conditioned air through a network of ducts. The main components of a central AC system include:
- Outdoor Unit: This contains the compressor, condenser coil, and fan. The compressor pumps refrigerant through the system, while the condenser coil releases heat from the refrigerant to the outside air.
- Indoor Unit: Located inside your home, this consists of the evaporator coil and air handler. The evaporator coil absorbs heat from the indoor air, cooling it down, while the air handler circulates the cooled air throughout your home via ductwork.
- Thermostat: This device allows you to control the temperature of your home by communicating with the air conditioning system.
How Central Air Conditioning Works
- Thermostat Signals: When the temperature inside your home rises above the set point on your thermostat, it sends a signal to the air conditioning system to start cooling.
- Refrigerant Flow: The compressor in the outdoor unit pumps refrigerant through the system. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air as it passes through the evaporator coil in the indoor unit.
- Heat Release: The refrigerant then travels to the outdoor unit, where it releases the absorbed heat into the outside air through the condenser coil.
- Cool Air Distribution: The cooled air is then circulated throughout your home via the air handler and ductwork, providing a comfortable living environment.
- Continuous Cycle: This process continues until the indoor temperature reaches the desired level set on your thermostat, at which point the system shuts off until cooling is needed again.
Maintaining Your Central Air Conditioning System
To ensure that your central AC system operates efficiently and effectively, it’s essential to schedule regular maintenance with a professional HVAC contractor like Mainstream. Our expert technicians offer comprehensive AC maintenance services, including:
- Cleaning and inspecting the evaporator and condenser coils
- Checking refrigerant levels and recharging if necessary
- Lubricating moving parts to reduce wear and tear
- Inspecting and calibrating the thermostat
- Cleaning or replacing air filters
By investing in regular maintenance, you can extend the life of your central air conditioning system, improve its energy efficiency, and avoid costly repairs down the line.
Trust Mainstream for Your Central Air Conditioning Needs
At Mainstream, we are dedicated to providing top-quality HVAC services to keep your home comfortable year-round. Our experienced technicians are equipped to handle all your central air conditioning needs, from installation and repair to maintenance and replacement.
Don’t let the summer heat get you down. Contact Mainstream today at (509) 237-6483 or contact.us@866411zapp.com to schedule your central AC service. We are available 24/7 to serve the Greater Spokane area, including Spokane Valley, Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, and beyond.
Remember, at Mainstream, we are cooling. We are home services. We are Mainstream.