Most individuals turn on their AC units in the summer months when the temperature is high. But before you switch on your air conditioning, it's vital to grasp how it works. Air conditioners come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they all work in the same way: to cool down your home during hot weather. Keep on reading to learn about how your AC unit works!
So, what exactly happens inside my unit?
This overall process is what we like to call “the art of separation versus creation.” Air conditioning units give us the illusion that they’re creating cold air but in reality, they’re only separating the cold air from the hot air. Here’s how it works.
The inside of your air conditioner works as a refrigeration cycle. It uses three main parts: a compressor, a condenser coil, and an evaporator coil. All of these parts work together to reduce the temperature in your home.
The cycle starts when a blend of cold and hot air in your home enters your AC unit. The hot air is cooled off by the evaporator coils that contain a gas called R410. R410 is a non-flammable gas that's commonly used as a refrigerant. The evaporator coils use pressure and heat to transform R410 into a liquid, which then absorbs the hot air. The gas is then transferred to the compressor.
As the gas is compressed, it becomes very hot and humid. The heat and humidity then travel through your condenser coil that's located outside of your unit. Your condenser has a fan to quickly blow air across its fins while also blowing off any moisture in the R410 blend. Once all this happens, the gas is sent back to the evaporator coils in your unit where it cools off more hot air. Simultaneously, hot air is also transferred from inside your unit to outside your home. With all that hot air gone, what you get in the end is clean, cold, and refreshing air. The cycle then begins again and repeats until you turn your unit off.
It is important to remember that AC units are not designed for the sole purpose of cooling down a room. They also maintain an appropriate humidity level, which can have a significant impact on your indoor air quality. If you have any questions about how AC units work or want help in selecting an efficient unit, contact us today! We’re happy to answer all of your questions and provide guidance as needed.
