The average central air conditioning system is comprised of three main parts.
- The compressor- which is located in the outdoor portion of the system and is responsible for converting the gas.
- Condenser- which is located in the same area and is responsible for condensing the vapor.
- Evaporator- typically located above your furnace and this is responsible for absorbing the heat inside your home.
The central air system uses electricity as the main power source to convert heat into cold air by using a compressor cycle. Much like a refrigerator, only in a much larger capacity. The cycle allows heat to be transferred from the inside of the home to the outside. In this cycle, refrigerant is used to absorb the heat from inside the home and release the heat as it exits the home.
The state of the refrigerant changes between liquid and gas during this cycle. When it changes from liquid to gas, it absorbs heat. Likewise, when it goes back from a gas to a liquid, it releases the heat. This liquid is passed through an expansion device that changes the liquid into a low-pressure mixture of liquid and gas. This is why some of the air conditioning units have water droplets or “perspiration” on the equipment that is sticking on the outside. The remaining liquid in the indoor coils absorbs heat from the inside air, which turns into a low-temperature gas cooling the indoor air.
The compressor compresses the low-temperature gas, reducing its volume and increasing its temperature and pressure, which causes it to turn into a vapor. The vapor then goes into the condenser (outdoor coil), which transfers the heat outside. This process then causes the refrigerant to condense into a liquid state, which then returns to the expansion device repeating the cycle.
As air passes through the indoor coil, the air inside is cooled and dehumidified. During the dehumidification stage, the moisture is removed from the air becoming a liquid form which then gets collected into a pan located at the bottom of the indoor coil of the air conditioner. The liquid or moisture eventually gets drained.
Leaving your home and family feeling cool and comfortable, all summer long.
