Your AC and Indoor Air Quality
Beyond Cooling: The AC’s Role in Healthy Indoor Air Quality
While we celebrate summertime with lots of vacations and outdoor activities, summertime also unleashes a three-prong barrage against our location: extreme heat, extreme humidity, and excessive pollen. All three of these features also seem to attack homes as well. But air conditioners are very capable of handling the summertime trio and managing indoor air quality.
- An air conditioner uses heat transfer to remove heat from the home and release it into the outdoor atmosphere. The point of the released heat is the outdoor condenser unit. A large fan in the center of the condenser draws cool air across the coils containing hot refrigerant gas, cooling it before it cycles back indoors.
- The humid air from indoors is brought into the evaporator chamber of the air conditioner. In this chamber, the refrigerant gas is cold. The humidity condenses on the evaporator coils, drips to a drain pan, and drains away.
- As the indoor air circulates through the air conditioner system, an air filter traps airborne particles, including pollen and other contaminants, to improve indoor air quality.
How Regularly Scheduled AC Maintenance Improves Indoor Air Quality
So, your air conditioner works heroically to remove heat, humidity, and airborne particles all summer long.
Air conditioners require regular maintenance and may occasionally need repairs. The AC repairs come as a result of wear and tear on these very components that remove heat, humidity, and pollen from the indoor air.
- AC Maintenance includes keeping both the condenser and evaporator coils clean.
- Changing the air filter needs to be completed every three months to protect indoor air quality and keep the system functioning properly.
Common AC Problems and Their Impact on Your Indoor Air Quality
Beyond maintenance, air conditioners need repair, especially as the system ages. Some of the most common AC repair issues include:
- The refrigerant gas is kept under pressure all year round. During cooling cycles, the refrigerant reaches about 6 times the pressure of a system at rest. Any flaw or damage to the system’s tubing will result in a loss of gas, identified by a loss of gas pressure. This is a common repair to air conditioner systems.
- A powerful motor drives a fan. This fan moves the entire volume of air in the home every few minutes. The motor and drive features, usually a belt, can wear and break. This is a common repair to air conditioner systems.
- The entire system runs and is controlled by a complex system of sensors and switches. Use of these sensitive parts creates wear; they need to be replaced occasionally, and this is a common repair as well.
- The master control for an air conditioner is the thermostat; it serves as the ON/OFF switch for the entire system. The sensitive nature of a thermostat makes it necessary to replace or recalibrate.
An important fact to know about an air conditioner system is the age: how long the system has been functioning. Air conditioners typically last 15 to 20 years. As the system reaches the end of its useful function, repairs can be more extensive and expensive. Work with a contractor to determine the proper time to replace it rather than repairing the system.
Your Katy Experts in AC Repair & Maintenance for Superior Indoor Air Quality
Maintaining your AC is crucial for not only comfort but also for ensuring healthy indoor air quality in your home. For reliable AC maintenance and repair services that prioritize your family’s well-being, trust the experts at All Cool AC and Heating.
All Cool AC & Heating AC repair and maintenance professionals can assist with your Katy Texas AC repair and maintenance needs. Schedule your AC service or replacement appointment by calling All Cool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email, and let our NATE-certified AC Repair Katy technicians help you improve your indoor air quality.