If you live in Buford, Georgia, then you already know: summer isn’t just hot—it’s sticky, heavy, and long. And when that Georgia heat rolls in, there’s no better feeling than walking into a perfectly cooled home. But have you ever wondered how your air conditioner actually makes that magic happen?

At Indoor Comfort Solutions, we’ve spent over 20 years helping homeowners across Gwinnett stay cool and comfortable. So today, we’re giving you the inside scoop on how a residential AC system works—no jargon, just clear and helpful info that every Buford homeowner should know.

Let’s Start With the Basics: What Does an AC Unit Actually Do?

Most people think an AC unit just “blows cold air.” But that’s not exactly right. What it really does is remove heat and humidity from inside your home and send it outside. What’s left behind is cool, dry air that helps your home feel crisp and comfortable.

Your AC system doesn’t generate cold—it transfers heat out of your house using a special refrigerant cycle. It’s a bit like a sponge that soaks up heat from your living room and wrings it out into your backyard.

Meet the Main Components in Your AC System

A typical central air system has a few key components working together:

1. The Thermostat

Think of the thermostat as the brains of the operation. You tell it your desired temperature, and it signals the rest of the system to kick on or off. Many Buford homeowners are upgrading to smart thermostats that adjust automatically and save on energy bills.

2. The Evaporator Coil (Inside Unit)

This is where the cooling starts. Located inside your home—usually in the attic or a utility closet—the evaporator coil holds cold refrigerant. When warm indoor air passes over it, the refrigerant absorbs the heat, cooling the air and removing moisture. That cool air is then pushed through your home’s ductwork by the blower fan.

3. The Blower Fan (Air Handler or Furnace)

This fan keeps the air moving. It draws warm indoor air in, passes it over the cold evaporator coil, and then sends the newly cooled air back out into your home.

4. The Compressor (Outdoor Unit)

Now we head outside. The refrigerant that absorbed heat from your home is pumped to the outdoor unit, where the compressor pressurizes it—raising its temperature and turning it into a hot, high-pressure gas.

5. The Condenser Coil (Also in the Outdoor Unit)

The condenser coil releases the heat that was collected inside. A fan blows outside air across the coil, and the refrigerant dumps its heat into the outdoor air. That’s why the area around your outdoor unit might feel warm—it’s literally dumping your home’s heat there.

6. The Expansion Valve

Once the refrigerant has cooled down and released its heat, it travels through an expansion valve that reduces its pressure and turns it back into a cold liquid—ready to head back to the indoor coil and start the cycle again.

What Makes Georgia Homes a Little Different…

Here in Buford and across the Southeast, our climate comes with a few HVAC challenges you don’t see in other parts of the country. For starters, it’s not just hot—it’s humid. That means your AC isn’t just battling high temps; it’s also working to remove excess moisture from the air.

That’s why proper system sizing is so important in Georgia. An oversized system might cool your house quickly but won’t run long enough to pull out the humidity, leaving your home feeling damp and sticky. Undersized systems, on the other hand, will run constantly and struggle to keep up.

The right AC setup balances cooling power and humidity control—and that’s where a local expert really matters.

What Happens When Something Goes Wrong?

If your AC stops cooling properly, there’s a good chance one of the core components we just mentioned is either dirty, worn out, or malfunctioning. Here are a few common culprits we see in Gwinnett County homes:

• Low refrigerant from a leak
• Dirty air filters blocking airflow
• Frozen evaporator coil (often due to airflow issues)
• Malfunctioning compressor
• Clogged drain lines causing water backups
• Electrical issues from power surges or aging parts

The good news? Most of these issues are preventable with regular maintenance. That’s why we recommend a spring and fall tune-up—especially here in Buford where AC units get a lot of use.

Should You Know Your System’s SEER Rating?

Yes, you should! SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and tells you how efficient your system is. The higher the number, the better your unit is at cooling your home without using a ton of electricity.

In Georgia, most homeowners do well with systems rated between 14 and 18 SEER, though newer models go much higher. If your system is more than 10 years old, upgrading to a high-SEER unit could cut your energy bills significantly—something you’ll appreciate in the heat of July.

What About Ductless Systems?

While most homes in Buford use central air systems with ductwork, ductless mini-splits are becoming more popular—especially in older homes, additions, or rooms that just won’t stay cool.

These systems work on the same basic principle: absorb heat inside, move it outside. But instead of using ducts, they have individual indoor units mounted on walls or ceilings that connect directly to the outdoor compressor. They’re energy-efficient, quiet, and offer zoned control.

Knowledge = Comfort. Get Indoor Comfort TODAY!

Knowing how your AC system works helps you recognize early warning signs, avoid unnecessary repairs, and make smart decisions when it’s time for an upgrade. And around here, where summer shows up early and stays late, understanding your cooling system isn’t just helpful—it’s part of being a prepared Georgia homeowner.

At Indoor Comfort Solutions, we’re always happy to explain what’s going on with your system, answer your questions, and give you options that make sense for your home and budget. Whether you need a repair, a tune-up, or just want someone to check things over before summer hits full swing, we’re here for you.

After all, in Buford, keeping cool isn’t just a luxury—it’s a way of life. CALL US TODAY HERE!

HVAC FAQs

1. How does my AC actually cool my home?

Your AC doesn’t create cold air—it removes heat and humidity from your indoor air and releases it outside. It does this by circulating refrigerant through a closed system of indoor and outdoor coils, pulling heat from the air inside your home and transferring it out.

2. Why does my AC run so long in Georgia summers?

Because Georgia summers are hot and humid, your AC needs extra time not just to cool the air, but to pull out the moisture too. A properly sized unit will run longer but more efficiently, helping your home feel both cool and dry.

3. What’s the difference between the indoor and outdoor units?

The indoor unit contains the evaporator coil and blower, which absorb heat from inside your home. The outdoor unit houses the compressor and condenser, which release that heat into the outdoor air. Together, they form the core of your central AC system.

4. How often should I service my AC unit in Buford?

At least once a year—preferably in the spring before the hot weather hits. Because of our extended cooling season, twice-a-year maintenance (spring and fall) is even better for ensuring peak performance and catching problems early.

5. What does SEER mean, and why should I care?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It tells you how efficiently your AC uses electricity. The higher the SEER rating, the less energy it uses to cool your home. In Georgia, systems with 14–18 SEER are common, but newer systems go even higher for more savings.