Beat the Heat

Do you find yourself constantly cranking up the AC whenever it heats up outside? Then you know how crucial air conditioners are to a comfortable home. But do you understand how exactly an air conditioner works? This blog post will dive deep into the science behind cooling machines and provide answers to all your ac-related questions!

Whether this is completely new territory for you, or if you’re just brushing up on some old knowledge, we’ll give you a lifelong understanding of why an air conditioner cools. Plus, we’ll offer tips on what type of system fits your needs best so that your home or office remains cozy in any weather!

• Refrigerant

The air conditioner uses a refrigerant, a chemical compound with properties that allow it to easily change between liquid and gas states at low temperatures. This refrigerant plays a vital role in the cooling process.

• Evaporator Coil

The indoor unit of the air conditioner contains an evaporator coil. In its liquid state, the refrigerant enters the coil and is allowed to expand. As it expands, it evaporates and absorbs heat from the indoor air passing over the coil. This heat absorption causes the refrigerant to transform into a low-pressure gas.

• Compressor

The low-pressure gas refrigerant is then drawn into the compressor, which is typically located in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner. The compressor’s primary function is to compress the refrigerant gas, significantly increasing its temperature and pressure. This compression process requires energy input.

• Condenser Oil

After compression, the high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant gas is transported to the condenser coil, also located in the outdoor unit. The condenser coil is designed to facilitate heat transfer. As the hot refrigerant gas flows through the coil, it releases heat to the surrounding environment, typically the outdoor air. This heat transfer causes the refrigerant to condense back into a liquid state.

• Expansion Valve

The liquid refrigerant, now at high pressure, flows from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit through a narrow valve called the expansion valve. The expansion valve creates a pressure drop, allowing the refrigerant to rapidly expand. As a result, its temperature drops, and it transforms into a low-pressure mixture of liquid and vapor.

• Blower

The cooled air is then circulated back into the room by a blower or fan located in the indoor unit. This blower draws in warm indoor air, passing it over the chilled evaporator coil. As the air moves across the coil, the refrigerant absorbs the heat, cooling the air. The cooled air is then blown back into the room, providing a comfortable indoor environment.

• Outdoor Fan

Simultaneously, the absorbed heat from the indoor air is expelled outside through the outdoor unit’s fan. The fan helps dissipate the heat absorbed by the condenser coil, allowing the refrigerant to release heat efficiently and return to its liquid state.

Conclusion

From the refrigerant’s journey to the release of cold air into your room when it reaches the evaporator; we’ve successfully reviewed how an air conditioner works! An air conditioner is a complex system consisting of components like compressors, condensers, receivers, and evaporators. It wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility to have repairs carried out on your unit over time as well.

In that case, we recommend our maintenance services coming soon to Sirwiss this summer. Our experienced service technicians can complete any repairs or tune-ups that you may require to keep your equipment running properly during the hot months ahead! So don’t wait – get in touch with us now for all your air conditioning needs. Stay cool this summer – with Sirwiss.