The modern electro-mechanical air conditioning system was invented in 1902. The first home ACs appeared in the 1920s, when new refrigerant blends made them safer to use. In the 1950s, air conditioning systems started to spread rapidly through the country, and now they are a standard part of the comfort system of most homes. Life in Southern California would be difficult indeed without the power of air conditioning to help us during the long hot seasons.
No matter what services you need to stay cool through the year, JC Mechanical Inc. can provide it. We handle installation, replacement, maintenance and air conditioning repair in Irvine, CA and throughout Southern California.
Air Conditioning 101
Air conditioning systems are something we encounter almost every day, but ironically few people know exactly how they work. Here’s a quick rundown on the essentials of the electro-mechanical central air conditioner:
A central AC consists of two units: the outdoor condenser and the indoor evaporator. Inside the condenser cabinet is a device called the compressor. The compressor places liquid refrigerant (a chemical blend that changes easily from gas to liquid and back) under pressure until it transforms into a hot gas. The high-pressure gas moves to the nearest low-pressure area, which in this case is the coils of the condenser cabinet. A fan draws warm outdoor air across the coils, which causes condensation to occur. Condensation releases heat to the outdoors, lowering the temperature of the refrigerant.
The refrigerant now moves toward the indoor evaporator cabinet. It passes through an expansion valve that lowers its pressure and causes the refrigerant to become even cooler. The cold refrigerant moves through the coils of the evaporator, and a blower fan sends indoor air across the cold coils. Evaporation occurs and the refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air. The now cooled-down air continues into the ventilation system and reaches the various rooms of the house. The refrigerant, now once more in liquid form, returns to the compressor where the cycle begins again.
In order for an air conditioner to carry out this process of heat exchange, all its components must work in peak condition. Broken fans, leaking refrigerant, or a hard-starting compressor will lead to a drop in cooling effectiveness. If your air conditioner begins to encounter trouble keeping your home cool, don’t attempt to fix the problem yourself. The complexity of modern ACs requires that only trained technicians do the repairs.
You can rely on JC Mechanical Inc. if you require air conditioning repair in Irvine, CA. We have emergency service available for those times when the repair work cannot wait. Make us the first company you call the next time you need excellent air conditioning service.