Millions of people have heating and cooling systems in their homes and offices but only a few of them know how air conditioners work. In fact, some people do not even want to know, provided their AC machines work without a problem. Read on to learn about the operating principle of these machines.
The Cooling Process
In thermodynamics, there is a law stating that when a liquid evaporates, or transforms into gaseous state, it absorbs heat energy from the surroundings (something to that effect). Refrigeration uses the same principle. The refrigerant liquid is kept under pressure in the compressor. The compressor is connected to the evaporator coil by a pressure valve, which releases the highly-compressed liquid into the coils. The liquid expands in the evaporator coil and absorbs heat from the surroundings in the process. The other end of the evaporator coil is connected to the condenser coil, which takes the refrigerant back to the compressor for conversion to liquid state, a process that emits heat. The cycle is repeated over and over again until the room has been cooled to the desired temperature. Each AC unit comes with a thermostat, which is responsible for automatic switching of the device. When the AC is turned on, the user sets the preferred temperature. The AC will continue running until this temperature is attained, after which the thermostat will switch off the device. If the temperature of the room increases beyond the desired level, the thermostat will restart the air conditioner. That is how air conditioners work. Having this knowledge makes problem diagnosis easier for homeowners.
In a central AC system, the cooling process takes place in one location. Cooled air is then distributed to different parts of the room by a network of ducts and vents. Central air conditioners are the most popular type of air conditioners in the world. Window AC’s, split AC’s and portable air conditioners are also popular types of cooling systems. An experienced HVAC contractor can help homeowners and property owners to choose the right device. If you need HVAC-related services, you may want to call us for heating and air conditioning needs.