How Home Air Conditioners Work

Your home’s air conditioning unit is a vital part of your comfort. Many homeowners enjoy having that cool air throughout their homes when the temperatures outside soar. When this happens, it is important that the air conditioner is in great working condition, but how exactly does the unit work?

Many homeowners love the feel of them but do not understand how exactly they cool. Use this quick info guide to find out a bit more about your home’s air conditioning unit and how it works to keep you and your family cool during the hot summer months of the year.

How the conditioning unit works inside your home

The air conditioning unit uses many chemicals to convert gas into a liquid and then back again. The system does this very quickly so that the air from the transfer is then put into the home as a cooling agent.

The Parts of the Unit

There are three parts to every air conditioning unit – the condenser, compressor and evaporator. They work hand-in-hand to provide the cool air that those living inside the home want. The condenser and compressor are generally located outside of the home and not on the inside, while the evaporator is inside the home.

The Process

There is cooling fluid that goes to the compressor outside. This is a gas that is under low pressure. The compressor then compresses or squeezes this gas so that it is packed closer together. The closer they are, the higher the energy or temperature is going to rise. It then travels from the compressor and moves to the condenser.

The case that holds the condenser and compressor for the home has something called ‘fins’ located all around the housing. This works to remove heat from the inside of the AC unit more quickly. Once the liquid moves to the condenser it comes out changed from the compressed gas to a liquid which then is sent to the evaporator. This is done through a tiny tube that goes to the inside of the home to reach the evaporating unit.

Once it makes its way through the tube, the pressure of the liquid drops. The fluid then begins to evaporate and turn into gas. When this happens, the heat from the air outside of the unit is extracted which is needed to turn the liquid into a gas properly. Once the air leaves the evaporator, it is chilled because it is low pressured and cool.

The fan that is attached to the evaporator then sends this chilled air throughout the entire home. Everyone inside the home will be able to enjoy the cooled air thanks to the air conditioning components that work together in harmony.

When considering your next cooling unit for your home, consider how the unit works. Know that the chemical make-up and science that goes on behind the scenes is what is keeping your home cool.