Air conditioner repair uses many terms and acronyms that are a complete mystery to most people. This can make it stressful when you need to call for repair. Many homeowners feel that not knowing anything about their HVAC system makes them an easy target for shady businesses who will take advantage of them due to a lack of knowledge. Just like taking your car to the mechanic, calling for HVAC repair puts you in a position of having to trust what the technician is telling you. Unless you have any knowledge at all about what they are talking about, you have to trust what they say. If you want to feel more comfortable the next time you have to call for air conditioner repair in Toms River? Read on!
Top Five Air Conditioner Repair Terms
If we wanted to cover all the terms you should know about when it comes to a/c repair, this article would take you hours to read. Instead, we’re going to try to cover some broad, general terms to help you feel more comfortable discussing your unit with your technician. Understanding more about the system and how it works is a big benefit for any homeowner.
Air Handler – The indoor unit of a central air conditioner system. This includes a fan which is what moves the cooled air throughout the ductwork. If a technician asks if you have heard any odd sounds coming from your air handler, you’ll now be able to answer with confidence.
Condenser – This is the outdoor portion of an a/c system. It is a large unit covered in a louvered cage with a large fan on top. Its purpose is to release heat outdoors so the indoor air stays cool. If there is any damage to this unit, your entire air conditioning system will be affected.
Coils – There are two important coils in an a/c system. The evaporator coil is found indoors and is what absorbs heat to cool your air. The outdoor coil, or condenser coil, turns the refrigerant from a vapor back to a liquid to finish the cooling cycle.
Refrigerant – A liquid that easily absorbs heat due to its low boiling point. Without refrigerant, an air conditioning system cannot work. Therefore, a leak or impairment in the refrigerant line will severely impact the efficacy of your HVAC.
Compressor – Another crucial piece in the cooling process. A compressor increases the pressure in the system circulating the refrigerant through the coils.
Some Other Important Terms Related to Air Conditioner Repair in Toms River
The terms we just discussed are more broad terms in relation to air conditioner repair in Toms River. Within those items are many, many more pieces. Each of these pieces holds the potential to break and be the reason you have to call for repair.
You may hear your HVAC technician refer to zones in your home. They are referring to separate sections of your system that are controlled independently of one another. If your technician for air conditioner repair in Toms River inspects your system and determines you need a new system, you might hear them discuss looking at SEER ratings when shopping for a new machine. This rating is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and determines how energy efficient an air conditioner is. Of course, you can’t discuss HVAC repair without talking about the air filter. If you didn’t know your system had an air filter, that very well may be the reason you need to call for repair. Impeding the air flow within an HVAC system is one of the worst things you can do. Regular maintenance of the air filter is rule number one.
How to Know When to Call?
Even now that you know a few definitions, it doesn’t mean you can diagnose a problem. One of the biggest red flags that you should be calling for service is anything out of the ordinary happening during a cooling cycle. Any odd noises, strange smells, or weird cycle times is cause for concern. Noises that you’ve never heard before is a sign that a part within the system may be broken or impaired. Longer than normal cycling times means your system is not functioning efficiently. This is often a sign that something is wrong. Still not sure if your a/c needs some service? Read this article about air conditioner repair in Toms River and find out!
