You're probably aware that your air conditioning system keeps your house or office cool throughout the summer, but have you ever pondered how it works? You might be surprised to learn that your air conditioner and refrigerator operate in essentially the same way. The distinction is that a refrigerator cools a tiny, enclosed room, but an air conditioner maintains a pleasant temperature in your home, workplace, or business space.

What exactly are air conditioners?

Air conditioners are a component of a central heating and cooling system that takes heat energy from the outside and transfers it to the inside. Simply defined, an air conditioner in both a home and a business are a central heating and cooling system that distributes cold air through sheet metal ductwork by drawing warm air inside, eliminating its heat, and replacing it with cooler air.

The entire process of bringing the temperature of the air in your home to a comfortable level is based on a single scientific concept, with the rest being accomplished by mechanical methods. Let's look at how air conditioning works to keep your home cool.

The Process of Using Air Conditioning to Cool Your Home

Perth-Evaporative told us that the chemicals in your air conditioner swiftly change from gas to liquid and back again. These chemicals transmit heat from your home's interior to the outside air.

There are three main components to the air conditioner. The compressor, condenser, and evaporator are the three components. The compressor and condenser of your air conditioner are usually found on the outside of the device. The evaporator is located within the residence.

As a low-pressure gas, the cooling fluid enters the compressor. The gas/fluid is compressed by the compressor, and the molecules in the liquid are packed closer together. The more the temperature and energy grow, the closer the compressor presses these molecules together.

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As a high-pressure, hot gas, this working fluid exits the compressor and travels to the condenser. Metal fins surround the casing of an air conditioning system's exterior unit. These fins function similarly to a car's radiator, allowing heat to be dissipated more quickly.

The fluid is significantly colder as it exits the condenser. Because of the high pressure, it also changes from a gas to a liquid. The liquid enters the evaporator through a tiny, narrow hole, and when it reaches the opposite side of this channel, the pressure lowers. As a result, the fluid begins to evaporate and turn into gas.

Heat is taken from the surrounding air as a result of this process. This heat is necessary to convert the liquid molecules into gas molecules. The evaporator's metal fins also aid in the exchange of heat energy with the surrounding air.

The refrigerant is once again a low-pressure, cooled gas as it exits the evaporator. When it returns to the compressor, the process begins all over again. A fan is linked to the evaporator, and it circulates air throughout the property as well as over the evaporator's fins.

Through a vent, the air conditioner draws air into the ductwork. This air is used to cool gas in the evaporator, and it is cooled as the heat is taken from it. The air is then sent back into the house via ducts.

This process is repeated until the temperature inside your house or company reaches the appropriate level. The air conditioner is turned off when the thermostat detects that the interior temperature has reached the required level. When the room begins to heat up again, the thermostat reactivates the air conditioner until the desired ambient temperature is restored.

Different types of air conditioning systems

As you can see, asking "how do air conditioners work" may lead to either a very basic or a very intricate answer. It's the same thing when it comes to discussing different sorts of air conditioners. Residential air conditioning systems are available in a number of types and combinations to meet the various forms and sizes of indoor living areas, ranging from today's small new houses to 30,000 square foot estates.

Split-system air conditioners, packaged air conditioners, and ductless air conditioners are the three main varieties. Each has its unique set of applications, but they all serve the same purpose: to keep your home cool. The ideal cooling system for you is determined by your geographic location, the size and physical constraints of your home, and how you use it.

Split and central air conditioning units

A central heating and cooling system's air conditioner produce cold air through ductwork within your house by using a method that pulls warm air inside and removes its heat.

The compressor condenses and circulates the refrigerant through the outside unit in a split system, converting it from a gas to a liquid. The liquid is subsequently pushed through the cooling compartment or indoor evaporator coil. The fan in the indoor unit circulates the air within the unit, allowing it to flow through the evaporator fins. The metal fins of the evaporator exchange heat energy with the air surrounding it. The refrigerant converts from liquid to vapor at this point, eliminating any heat from the surrounding air. The air is cooled and blasted back into the home as the heat is taken from it.

The condenser or outside unit subsequently converts the refrigerant vapor back to a liquid, thereby eliminating any heat. The fluid is a cold, low-pressure gas as it exits the evaporator, and it ultimately returns to the condenser to continue the journey all over again. This cycle repeats until your home achieves the desired cooling temperature, as preset, and measured by your thermostat setting.

Final words

Now you know what air conditioners are all about. Use this knowledge to buy the best air conditioning system that is available to you out there.