How Do Air Conditioners Work?
And so in 1902 Carrier recognized the value of his invention and began to implement them in theaters, warehouses, offices, stores and any other place where the “air needed to be conditioned.”
The process that the air conditioner employs is very simple really. It is based on a commonly known scientific principle. Coupled with some mechanics an air conditioner simply converts a space like your home or office into a refrigerator.
The Basics of Air Conditioning
Air conditioners work on principles of physics by converting liquid into gas in a process known as phase conversion. As this conversion takes place heat absorption occurs. By using special chemicals to evaporate and condense in a closed system of coils, heat absorption takes place at a higher rate.
These chemical compounds, called refrigerants change at relatively low temperatures. Fans that blow the warm air over the coils allow the air to make contact with these extremely cold coils and cool the air. As the hot air passes over the cold evaporator coils, the heat is absorbed as the refrigerant changes from liquid to gas. To get the gas back into a liquid form again in order for the process to repeat and keep things cooling efficiently, a compressor is used. The compressor essentially puts the gas under extreme pressure. This, of course, produces heat which is evacuated outside away from the area being cooled through what are known as condenser coils and a second fan. Now with the gas cooled it becomes a liquid and the process continues.
And so what you have going on in any air conditioning system is a cycle where refrigerant cools the indoor air, causing the gas produced in the exchange to move to the condenser where it is compressed and converted back to liquid again. Pretty remarkable use of physics!
The Components of the Air Conditioner
To make all of this happen the air conditioner utilizes refrigerants to move the cool air inside the home and the heat outside using these major components:
- The Evaporator – Receives the liquid refrigerant
- The Condenser – Facilitates heat transfer
- The Expansion valve – regulates refrigerant flow into the evaporator
- The Compressor – A pump that pressurizes refrigerant
What Happens When The Parts Don’t Work?
As you have seen all of the components of an air conditioning system work together to create a cool environment in your home. When one component of the system breaks, the whole system fails. There are many factors which can cause the failure of one or many of these components. They are too numerous to contain in this one article; however they can be reduced to two major problems: Mechanical and Chemical. Mechanical failure involves any of the physical components of the system such as operational failure of the parts. Chemical failure involves the refrigerants used inside the closed system. If a part breaks or the chemicals leak then the system fails.
Air Systems Texas offers AC Repairs, Maintenance, and new installation of air conditioning units. Air Systems Texas has partnered with the very best air conditioning manufacturers to deliver the highest quality, and dependable air conditioning systems available.
If you need help with your air conditioning system because you notice that it is not cooling properly or efficiently, Air Systems Texas will gladly offer a free estimate and discuss your air conditioning needs. Call us today or fill out our contact form below for fast, reliable, affordable air conditioning services.
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