When the summer heat is becoming unbearable, an air conditioner can help keep the inside of your house cool. This way, an AC unit helps keep you sweat-free and refreshed. But have you ever wondered what goes on inside this magical box?
In simple terms, air conditioners function by absorbing heat from the inside, converting it to gas with the help of a liquid refrigerant. Then, the warm air cools as it passes over the coil, and the indoor unit’s blower fan pumps the chilled air again through the ductwork. Gradually, the various living areas in the home start filling up with cool air.
But there are a lot of steps involved in the air conditioning procedure. So, how do air conditioners work? Carry on reading to find out!
Steps Involved in How Air Conditioners Work
The process involved in transforming hot air into cold involves not only the refrigerant but other parts of the air conditioner. The evaporator, compressor, and condenser help manipulate the state, which improves the cooling process.
The steps involved in the working of an air conditioner include the following:
1. Evaporator Coil Absorbs the Heat
Firstly, the vents draw in the warm air present in your house, which then blows over the first station — the cold evaporator coil. Located indoors, the evaporator coil absorbs the heat, helping to cool the air. Finally, cold air is introduced throughout your property with the help of a fan. In short, the fan blows the cold air, so it evenly distributes throughout the house. The refrigerant continues to absorb heat from the passing air while it changes from liquid to gas and travels along the loop system in the direction of the compressor.
2. Compressor Increases the Refrigerant Temperature
The compressor, then, lowers the volume of gas, which is typically achieved by squeezing the gas tightly between two solid objects. This way, the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant rise — preparing the refrigerant for condensing.
3. Transferring Heat Outside
While you sit comfortably in the midst of cool air, do you wonder where all the heat goes off to? The outside unit of the air conditioner!
Now that the refrigerant has transformed into superheated vapor, it reaches the condenser. Since the condenser is placed outdoors, the vaporized refrigerant is exposed to the outside air. The outside air absorbs the referigerant’s heat, lowering the temperature and changing its state from gas to liquid again.
4. Refrigerant Becomes Cold & the Process Continues
After the heat is removed, the refrigerant returns to the evaporator indoors. The process repeats and continues until you are satisfied with the indoor temperature, which is when the thermostat will tell you to shut the AC off.
The Takeaway
So, to conclude, the air conditioning unit has two components – the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. Both work in unison to cool the inside air according to your desired level, providing you with coolness in the blazing summers.
At Crump AC & Heating, we work to make your home experience a comfortable one. Therefore, you can contact us at (281) 533-9200 to explore our services or visit us at 535 E Fernhurst Dr., Ste 312, Katy, TX 77450.