How Does an Air Conditioner Work? The Basics Explained

How Does an Air Conditioner Work? The Basics Explained

When the Sydney summer heat rolls in, air conditioners become our best friends. But have you ever wondered how they actually work? Many people think air conditioning is all about creating cold air, but that's not exactly true. 

In this blog, we’ll take you through the basics of how air conditioners function and check out everything that makes them tick.

What is air conditioning?

Air conditioning (often called AC, A/C, or air con) is a system that cools down indoor spaces by removing heat and moisture from the air. It’s a common misconception that it creates cold air, however it actually works to remove warm air from your home and replaces it with cooler air.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the process:

Warm Air Intake: Your air conditioner draws warm air from the room through a return vent.

Cooling and Dehumidifying: This warm air is then passed over the cold evaporator coils inside the unit. The refrigerant in these coils absorbs the heat, causing the air to cool down. Meanwhile, the system's dehumidifier removes excess moisture from the air.

Heat Absorption: The refrigerant, which starts as a cool liquid, absorbs heat from the air and evaporates into a warm gas.

Heat Transfer: This warm refrigerant gas is pumped outside to the condenser coils. Here, the gas releases its heat to the outside air and cools down, turning back into a liquid.

Cool Air Distribution: The cooled refrigerant returns inside to the evaporator coils, and the cycle repeats. The cool air is then circulated back into your home, lowering the room’s temperature and humidity.

What are the key parts of an air conditioner?

The below diagram illustrates a ducted air conditioning system.

Here are the main parts that help your air conditioner do its job:

  • Compressor: Outside your house, this part pumps the refrigerant and raises its pressure and temperature.
  • Return Air Duct: Draws in the warm air from your home.
  • Evaporator Coil/Filter: Inside your house, this part cools down the air by absorbing heat.
  • Fan: Fans help blow the air over the coils and circulate the cool air into your home.
  • Supply Air Grills: These are the vents seen in your ceiling, that push out the warm or cool air depending on your thermostat settings.

Tips for maintaining your
air conditioner

To keep your air conditioner running smoothly:

  • Regularly Clean or Replace Filters: Dirty filters can reduce efficiency and airflow.
  • Check for Leaks: Ensure there are no refrigerant leaks affecting performance.
  • Schedule Annual Maintenance: Professional air conditioning check-ups can prevent major issues.

FAQs

What exactly does air conditioning do?
Air conditioning systems cool indoor spaces by removing heat and moisture from the air. They don’t create cold air; instead, they transfer warm air from inside your home to the outside and then circulate the cooler air back inside.

How does an air conditioner remove heat from a room?
An air conditioner uses a refrigerant fluid that absorbs heat from the indoor air. This fluid evaporates into a gas inside the evaporator coils, and then it’s pumped outside where the heat is released. The refrigerant cools down and returns to a liquid state, ready to absorb more heat.

What is the difference between air conditioning and cooling fans?
While both air conditioners and cooling fans help make indoor spaces more comfortable, they work differently. Air conditioners cool and dehumidify the air by removing heat, whereas fans only circulate air and don’t change its temperature.

For an obligation-free quote, reach out to our friendly team.

Roberts Air Conditioning is here to help you find the perfect cooling solution for your needs. 

Give us a call today. (02) 8809 3704.

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