A guide to the outdoor components of air conditioner units

An air conditioner consists of several parts. An oversimplified perspective indicates that there are two main components to an AC, a fan and vent system for managing airflow, and a refrigeration and processing system for cooling and filtering the air.

The latter is quite noisy and dissipates a lot of heat – it’s withdrawing heat from the interior and expelling it. It’s good practice to place these hot and noisy components on the outside of the space to be cooled as it allows the interior environment to be more pleasant.

Another factor to consider is the placement of the units and their maintenance. ACs are large, mechanical components that run continuously to keep your spaces cool. They can only do this with regular, timely maintenance and hence, it’s important that they be installed in a location that can be conveniently serviced by maintenance staff.

Components of an outdoor AC unit

The outdoor components of an AC unit can include the following:

1. Condenser: This is the part of the AC that allows the refrigerant to cool or heat depending on whether the interior space needs to be cooled or heated. In either case, this needs to be placed outside as the refrigerant either needs to dissipate heat to the surroundings, or absorb heat from it.

2. Compressor: This component compresses the refrigerant into a high-pressure fluid to allow for better heat exchange at the condenser. The compression is also an essential part of the heat cycle as expanding the condensed fluid absorbs heat.

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3. Fan: An AC unit can have several fans, but the one in an outdoor unit is primarily used to blow air over the condenser to improve the speed and efficiency at which heat is exchanged.

4. Refrigerant lines: These are usually insulated copper tubes that carry the refrigerant to and from the indoor unit. They’re extremely fragile and must be handled and installed with care.

Types of outdoor AC units

Split AC: Split ACs are most commonly used to cool homes and small to medium sized spaces such as large halls, small offices, and conference rooms. In this design, an indoor unit is installed to control airflow while an outdoor unit handles cooling functions.

Packaged AC: Generally found in central AC units, a packaged AC is one where all the components of the AC are packed inside a large box-like structure. The box is usually placed on the rooftop of the building to be cooled and the air is distributed via ducts and vents.

Heat-pump AC: This type of AC system is best used in areas with a wide variation in temperatures. Unlike a regular AC, a heat pump both heats and cools the interiors as needed. The refrigerant either absorbs heat from the interiors and is pumped outside to dissipate it, or vice versa where external heat warms up a cold interior. It’s a great, environmentally option for maintaining temperature, but isn’t commonly found.

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Installation considerations

When installing the outdoor components of an AC, the following need to be considered:

1. Proper placement and efficiency: Outdoor units must be placed in areas not frequented by humans. This is because they’re generally noisy and hot, and unpleasant to be around. The placement also affects efficiency.

2. Clearance requirements: A certain minimum space is required not just for installing outdoor units, but also for ensuring adequate airflow for the condenser, and for dissipating the heat.

3. Protection: Since these units are exposed to the elements, it’s important that they be protected from excess heat and cold, as well as rain and hail. Any damage to the condenser or compressor will dramatically reduce efficiency, not to mention cost a significant amount of money to repair.

Maintenance tips

1. Regular cleaning is important to prevent blockages and dust build up. This ensures adequate filtration and airflow.
2. Regular inspections are needed to make sure there’s no damage or wear building up over time. A loose bolt, for example, could damage the outdoor mount of the compressor and destabilise the fan.
3.  Refrigerant levels also need to be checked regularly to ensure that there’s no leak.

Troubleshooting common issues

1. Noisy operation is usually a result of loose mounting or a damaged fan blade inducing vibrations. This is physical damage that needs to be inspected and fixed immediately as the vibrations can cause increased wear and tear over time.

2. Reduced cooling efficiency can be a result of many factors. The most common is a leak of the refrigerant so it’s important that these levels be checked regularly. This leak usually occurs in the insulated copper pipes that carry the refrigerant and is difficult to repair. Reduced cooling can also happen when there’s a fault in the condenser or compressor.

3. Ice buildup on coils is a serious problem, especially in areas with high humidity. Ice expands as it cools, which can crush the thin copper of the pipes and leak refrigerant. Other issues could also include bad vibrations and chunks falling loose into the fan blades.

Advantages of outdoor AC units

1. Placing some of the AC components outdoors simplifies the design of the interiors while also making them more pleasant.

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2. Cooling is more efficient this way as heat is more efficiently dissipated. Fewer noise considerations also mean that the compressor can run faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the outside unit of an air conditioner called?

The outdoor unit of an AC is usually called a compressor. More accurately, however, it is a heat exchanger.

2. Can I install an AC unit outside my home?

Yes, a split AC is most commonly used in homes and the heat exchanger or compressor is placed on the outside of the house.

3. How often should outdoor AC units be serviced?

Outdoor AC units need to be serviced as per the manufacturer’s recommendation. The recommended period is usually once every six months, but this can vary based on load and usage.

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Splitting an AC into outdoor and indoor components is perhaps one of the major factors that allowed air conditioning to be more widely and easily adopted. Separating the components makes it much easier to isolate noise and heat, and thereby making for more pleasant, better designed interiors. As long as adequate care is taken of the outdoor unit, such ACs can easily last you a lifetime.