Ah, the complexities of modern technology! From fire-making capabilities to advanced heating and cooling systems—we’ve come so far. Have you been wondering how your high-functioning, high-efficiency, top-of-the-line air conditioner actually works?
If so, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are the AC Basics to Know
Simply put, an air conditioner works by pulling warm air out of the home, cooling it, and sending it back in. An air conditioner uses refrigerant, a chemical that is heated to a liquid state and cooled back into a gaseous state. This refrigerant is the main cooling contributor in the AC.
There are three main components to every air conditioner: a compressor, a condenser coil, and an evaporator coil. Depending on the kind of air conditioner you have, these three components are either located inside your window unit, or separated between two parts: the compressor and condenser are located in a unit outside your home, while the evaporator can be found inside, usually near the furnace.
The basic principle operating within an air conditioner is: as a liquid evaporates, it cools down. This is what happens in the evaporator coil. As the refrigerant moves through the coil, it cools the coil. Here, warm air taken from inside the home is blown over the coils. The air is cooled and blown back into the home. But it doesn’t end there!
The refrigerant has to turn back into a liquid to complete the cycle (and be recycled.) So the refrigerant is pressurized, or heated, in the compressor. The compressor turns the refrigerant back into a liquid and sends it through the condenser coil where it transfers its heat, and the refrigerant is cooled. From here, the refrigerant is sent to the evaporator and the cycle begins again. This happens continuously in your air conditioner to keep your home cool and comfortable.
Now that you know how your air conditioner works, you need a trusted technician, like those at Raynor Electric, to keep it running optimally. Trust your local Medford electrician at Raynor Electric to handle all of your AC needs! If you’re ready for AC repair, maintenance, or installation, call today!
