Most people enjoy receiving the cool breeze from their air conditioners without knowing what goes on behind the system. This modern convenience isn’t as complicated as one might think. It actually consists of a simple process that leads to the production of the cool air. Due to advancements in technology, new air conditioning systems are continually being launched. These systems are smaller in size and have greater improvements in the normal functions of an air conditioner. Power consumption of the air conditioners has also been improved whereby the conditioners are consuming very little power. Many of the newer models are energy star rated and provide great energy efficiency.
There are several steps involved in your air conditioner putting out the maximum amount of cool air. Complex systems allow the regulation of the cool air. However, each system uses mechanics and processes similar to all the other systems. This is due to the common purpose they serve—to remove heat from your house and send it outside while producing cool air to circulate inside and lastly conditioning the air by removing the humidity. These steps are further illustrated below.
At first, the air inside the house is hot. The air conditioner draws the heat from that air and leaves a warm air inside. The air drawn in is then blown through cold pipes, which are arranged in a certain pattern. The pipes, which are also called evaporator coils, cool down the air to a lower temperature of your choosing, set by your thermostat. A liquid called refrigerant is contained in the coils. The liquid changes to gas after absorbing the heat.
The refrigerant is then pumped out of the house and sent to another coil outside (called the condenser) which helps it to release the heat and change back to liquid form. As the air changes back to liquid after losing the heat with the help of the outside coil, more air is being drawn from inside the house and continues the process. A pump known as a compressor is responsible for moving the refrigerant to and from the two coils. The pump also regulates the refrigerant’s pressure so that each coil does its job correctly, either condensing or evaporating.
A motor that runs the compressor is used to make this entire process happen. The air conditioner produces three times more cooling effect than the energy used in running the compressor. This is due to the processes of changing a liquid into a gas and gas into a liquid. That also explains the efficiency of the system compared to the power normally consumed.
Most air conditioners also have an air filter. The filter is made of paper, which the air moves through, and it is usually found where the ductwork starts. As the filter removes particles from the air, it will get clogged or dirty over time. This reduces the efficiency of the system, and the filter will either need to be cleaned or completely replaced. The filter ensures that the air conditioner and the air traveling through it will be as clean as possible
To keep your system efficient and working properly, filters should be changed regularly. All other maintenance should be conducted by an HVAC professional at least once a year.