# Your Home Air Conditioner's Doing The Job, But Do You Know How It Works? > A home air conditioner is a complex system with many components. You don't need to know it like a pro, but here's a guide on how it works. ![high efficiency home air conditioner, Dallas, Texas](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/high-efficiency-air-cond.jpg "high efficiency air cond")A home air conditioner is a complex system with many components. While it's not necessary for you to know your system as well as the professionals who install and maintain it, you should have at least a basic understanding of its functions. ![high efficiency home air conditioner, Dallas, Texas](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/high-efficiency-air-cond.jpg "high efficiency air cond") This will allow you to notice problems and to discuss these problems with the professional. The three main parts of your air conditioning system are the evaporator, compressor and condenser. **Evaporator** The evaporator is inside your home, and is connected to your air handler or blower and the home's ductwork. The evaporator has fins that act like the radiator on a car to transfer heat. However, instead of transferring heat to the home, they extract heat from it. As air is blown over the fins by the blower fan, heat from the air is transferred to the system’s refrigerant. **Compressor** The refrigerant travels from the home to the compressor inside the outside unit. This compressor takes the low-pressure gas that comes through the line from the home and compresses it into a high-pressure gas. As a result, the temperature of the gas rises. **Condenser** The condenser is also in the outside part of your system. Like the evaporator, the condensing unit has a series of fins for heat transfer. As the compressed, heated gas leaves the compressor and enters the condenser, the heat is transferred from the fins to the outside air. The cooled gas momentarily becomes a liquid, but as it exits it becomes a gas and returns to the evaporator to start the cycle again. An air conditioner is a large investment. If you want to ensure that your air conditioner is maintained at peak efficiency, it helps if you understand something about how it works. If you have any further questions about this topic or other home comfort issues, please contact [Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.](http://rodenhiser.com/call-rodenhiser.html) We have served the people of Massachusetts for more than 80 years. ***Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air conditioners* ***and other HVAC topics, download our free [Home Comfort Solutions Guide](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/download-the-home-comfort-solutions-guide.html).***** ***Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning* *serves the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts**.  [Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today](http://rodenhiser.com/)!*** ## Navigation - [Rodenhiser Home Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/) - [Rodenhiser Plumbing Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/plumber-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Heating Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/furnace-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Cooling Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/air-conditioning-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Electrical Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/framingham-electricians.html) - [Rodenhiser Home Services: Book Online](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/call-rodenhiser/book-online.html) - [Rodenhiser Remodeling Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/remodels/bathroom-remodeling-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Home Services: Reviews](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-heating.html) ## Company information - Rodenhiser Home Services - [https://bc.rodenhiser.com](https://bc.rodenhiser.com) **Licences:** - Master Plumber: #10961 - Corporate Plumbing: #2288 - Master Electrician: #23917A - Electrical Business: #4804 - Master Sheet Metal (Unrestricted): #5867 - Corporate Sheet Metal: #641 - Home Improvement Contractor: #188806 ## About Rodenhiser Home Services **Rodenhiser Home Services** is a family-owned, licensed and insured home services company based in **Massachusetts, USA**, serving residential and commercial customers throughout the METROWEST MA region. Established in 1928, the company has over 95 years of experience providing plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electrical, and home remodeling services. Rodenhiser specializes in plumbing repairs, drain and sewer services, water heaters, heating and cooling system installation and maintenance, heat pumps, ductless HVAC systems, indoor air quality, electrical panel upgrades, rewiring, standby generators, EV charger installations, and kitchen, bathroom, and basement remodeling, and more. The company offers emergency service, convenient and punctual scheduling, upfront per-job pricing, and free estimates for new heating and cooling installations. All work is backed by written warranties and a satisfaction guarantee. Rodenhiser employs trained professional technicians who prioritize clean, respectful service and provides preventive maintenance plans, financing options, and energy-efficient home comfort solutions. 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