Refrigerated air conditioning works by using a refrigerant to absorb heat from indoor air and transfer it outside, thereby cooling the indoor space.
Here's a more detailed explanation of the process:
The core principle involves a refrigerant that cycles through four key components:
- Evaporator: This is typically located inside the indoor unit. The liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator coil, where it undergoes a phase change, converting from a liquid to a gas. As the liquid refrigerant inside the evaporator coil converts to gas, heat is absorbed from the indoor air into the refrigerant, thus cooling the air as it passes over the coil.
- Compressor: The gaseous refrigerant, now carrying the absorbed heat, is drawn into the compressor. The compressor increases the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant.
- Condenser: Located outside the building, the condenser releases the heat absorbed from the indoor air. As the hot, high-pressure refrigerant passes through the condenser coils, it cools down and condenses back into a liquid state. Air is blown across the condenser coils to facilitate heat transfer.
- Expansion Valve: This valve controls the flow of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant from the condenser back into the evaporator. It reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, preparing it to absorb more heat in the evaporator.
Cycle Summary
| Component | State of Refrigerant | Function | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evaporator | Liquid to Gas | Absorbs heat from indoor air | Cools indoor air |
| Compressor | Gas | Increases pressure and temperature of refrigerant | Prepares refrigerant for heat release |
| Condenser | Gas to Liquid | Releases heat to outdoor air | Cools refrigerant, expels heat from building |
| Expansion Valve | Liquid | Reduces pressure of refrigerant | Prepares refrigerant for heat absorption |
Indoor Air Circulation
The cooled air is then circulated back into the living spaces:
- The indoor unit's blower fan pumps the chilled air back through the home's ductwork out into the various living areas. This continuous circulation of cool air maintains the desired temperature inside the building.
In essence, refrigerated air conditioning moves heat from inside a building to the outside, providing a comfortable indoor environment.
