What is an Outdoor Condenser?

Air conditioning systems have an intricate process that facilitates the cooling of your home. The first component in the system’s cycle is the outdoor condenser. Outdoor condensing units work in both central air conditioning and mini split systems.

In mini split systems, the outdoor condenser works along with an indoor component, like an air handler, to adjust the temperature in your home. The indoor unit extracts heat from the air, transferring that heat to the outdoor unit. The outdoor unit disposes of that excess heat into the outdoor air to keep your home cool.

The outdoor condensing unit uses a few parts to complete the air conditioning process. The parts include:

Refrigerant

Refrigerant lines carry refrigerant between the indoor air handler and the outdoor condenser unit. The refrigerant changes states when passing through the evaporator and condenser coils as it absorbs or releases heat.

Condenser Coils

The condenser coils reside in the outdoor condenser unit. First, refrigerant travels through the evaporator coil located in the indoor unit. Here, the refrigerant absorbs heat, which turns it from a liquid into a gas. After this, the refrigerant travels to the condenser coil in the outdoor unit. The condenser coil cools the refrigerant, allowing the refrigerant to turn back into a liquid as it releases the heat energy. The cycle then starts over and repeats in a continuous process to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home.

Compressor

The compressor moves the refrigerant through your cooling system. The compressor adds pressure to the refrigerant, which increases the temperature for the heat to transfer.

Typically, you install condenser units outdoors. These units are more industrial and take up more space, so they work best in open, shaded areas directly outside a building. According to the United States Department of Energy, you want to keep at least two feet of distance from any trees or shrubbery for adequate airflow.

For even more protection, you can place the units on a concrete slab or other kind of platform. Depending on the manufacturer, some installations may require this to keep the unit off the ground. You can also invest in coverings to protect the unit from weather elements. The HVAC contractor installing the unit will advise the best plan for your condenser’s placement.

Both AC condensers and heat pumps work with ducts or an indoor air handler to transfer heat in or out of the home. However, heat pumps solely provide heating, while AC condenser units typically only cool. To have both heating and cooling in your home, you typically need a version of both a heat pump and a condensing unit.

In some mini split systems, the outdoor unit contains both a heat pump and a condenser. This allows for combined heating and cooling, consolidated into a dual operation. Mini splits are ductless, energy efficient HVAC options for smaller residential and commercial applications.

Keep your home comfortable with a variety of air conditioner and ventilation options available at HomElectrical! You can also browse our selection of mini-split condenser units here.