We all know what air conditioning is and that it keeps your indoor space at the desired temperature all year round, but have you ever wondered exactly how air conditioners work?
The process of circulating cold air in your offices is actually mainly based on simple scientific principles, aided by mechanical systems. Take a look below at exactly how your air conditioning system works to pump cool air throughout your home or office.
At Mechcool, we offer high quality air conditioning solutions in Sussex and Surrey. Contact us today to discuss your requirements for your home or business.
Air conditioner components
An air conditioning system is made up of a range of parts that work together to circulate cooled air around you.
There are four main parts:
- An evaporator – this receives liquid refrigerant
- A compressor – this is a pump that pressurises the refrigerant
- A condensing coil – the condenser facilitates the heat transfer
- An expansion valve – this regulates the refrigerant flow into the evaporator
The compressor and condenser are usually located outside and the evaporator and expansion device are located inside.
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How an air conditioner works
Simply put, air conditioning systems have a similar cooling process to that of a refrigerator. They both remove the heat from the air and replace it with cool air. All of the hot air is then expelled into the outside air.
Our step-by-step guide details how the technology works:
1.Heat absorption
Heat absorption takes place in the evaporator coil. The evaporator coil absorbs heat from the air inside your building through a vent. As it contains a refrigerant, it can cool the air that is absorbed from the room. The air passes through and changes from a liquid state into a refrigerant gas and travels along the pipes to the compressor.
2.Compression of the gas
Then, the compressor reduces the gas’s volume by squeezing between two solid objects. This means that the pressure and temperature of the cold refrigerant is raised in preparation for the condensing process.
3.Expulsion of heat
The refrigerant is then transported to the condenser outside and is expelled into the air. This then takes the temperature of the refrigerant and changes it back into a cool liquid.
4.Repeat the process
As the warm air from the refrigerant has now been removed, it can travel back indoors to the evaporator. The process then continues to repeat itself to keep unwanted heat outside, and the air inside your building cool.
Is this the case for all types of air conditioning units?
There are several types of air conditioning unit that we work with, including:
- VRF
- Wall mounted split systems
- Ducted systems
- VRV
- Cassette split systems
- Air source heat pumps
- Close control systems
- Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan
Although all of the units are different and have different functions, the general principle and process of air conditioning stays the same throughout.
Contact us today
If you would like to find out more information about air conditioning or air conditioning maintenance, we offer free, no obligation quotations on all aspects. If you would like to book yourself in for a quote, give us a call on 01403 791307.
