Air conditioners work by removing heat and moisture from the air, thereby cooling and dehumidifying indoor spaces. They use a combination of refrigeration and air circulation to achieve this. Here's a simplified explanation of how air conditioners work:
- Refrigeration Cycle: Air conditioners employ a refrigeration cycle, which involves a refrigerant—a chemical compound with low boiling and freezing points—that circulates through the system. The most common refrigerants used today are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
- Evaporation and Compression: The refrigerant starts as a cool, low-pressure gas. It enters the evaporator coil, which is located inside the indoor unit of the air conditioner. As warm indoor air passes over the evaporator coil, the refrigerant absorbs the heat from the air and evaporates into a low-pressure vapor.
- Compression: The vaporized refrigerant is then compressed by a compressor, which increases its temperature and pressure. This compressed, high-temperature vapor moves to the condenser coil, which is located in the outdoor unit.
- Heat Exchange: In the condenser coil, the hot refrigerant vapor releases heat to the outdoor air, causing the refrigerant to condense back into a high-pressure liquid state.
- Expansion: The high-pressure liquid refrigerant passes through an expansion valve or metering device, which reduces its pressure and temperature. This prepares the refrigerant to re-enter the evaporator coil and repeat the cycle.
- Air Circulation: The cooled air from the evaporator coil is blown into the indoor space by a fan located in the indoor unit. This air circulation helps distribute the cool air throughout the room and maintain a comfortable temperature.
- Dehumidification: As the warm air passes over the evaporator coil, the moisture in the air condenses on the cold surface of the coil, effectively dehumidifying the air. The condensed moisture drips into a drain pan and is removed from the unit through a drain pipe.
References
1. Energy.gov: How Air Conditioners Work: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/heat-and-cool/air-conditioning/how-air-conditioners-work
2. Explain that Stuff: How Air Conditioners Work: https://www.explainthatstuff.com/airconditioning.html
3. Carrier: How Does an Air Conditioner Work? https://www.carrier.com/residential/en/us/resources/how-does-an-air-conditioner-work/
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