How Do Air Conditioners Work?

It may be the holiday season, but not everyone in the U.S. is braving harsh winter conditions. Here in Orlando, FL, we are blessed with relatively temperate climates throughout the winter months, with some days even feeling a bit warm. This means your home’s air conditioner sees a lot of action throughout the year, but do you know what’s going on inside the unit on top of your roof or beside the home that keeps you and your family cool? Here is a brief overview of how air conditioners work.

The Basic Concept

In theory, air conditioners are relatively simple appliances. The basic concept behind air conditioners is that a chemical (the refrigerant) loops from inside the home to the outside and back again, absorbing and casting out heat in the process. After the refrigerant cools and re-enters the home, the cycle starts anew and the cooling process continues.

Types of Refrigerants

Inside your air conditioner is refrigerant, the chemical that is responsible for cooling your home. There are two types of refrigerants commonly used in residential air conditioners: R-22 and R-410A. These chemicals are known as hydrochlorofluorocarbons or HCFCs. Only certified air conditioner repair technicians should handle HCFCs, so never attempt to add refrigerant on your own.

Breaking Down the Parts

There are four main parts that make up your air conditioner: an evaporator, compressor, condenser, and expansion device. The refrigerant evaporates in the evaporator, and fans blow air across the evaporator coils to transfer heat from inside the home. The refrigerant then passes through the compressor, where the gas is compressed to a state of higher pressure and temperature. This hot gas is then condensed back into its liquid state as is flows over the condenser. The expansion device then recirculates the liquid refrigerant into the evaporator, completing the cycle.

Don’t stress if you don’t completely understand how your home’s air conditioner works, because the men and women at Certified Climate Control of Orlando do. Our air conditioner repair and maintenance services will ensure that your home’s cooling system is running strong all year long. Contact us online or call us at 407-888-0678 to learn why we are one of the most trusted AC repair companies in the Orlando, FL area.