Air conditioning is one of the most common ways to cool homes and buildings. Here’s facts you should know about the basics of air conditioning from the U.S. Department of Energy.
How Air Conditioners Work
Air conditioners employ the same operating principles and basic components as refrigerators. Refrigerators use energy, usually electricity, to transfer heat from the cool interior of the refrigerator to the relatively warm surroundings. Likewise, an air conditioner uses energy to transfer heat from the interior space to the relatively warm outside environment.
An air conditioner uses a cold indoor coil called the evaporator. The condenser, a hot outdoor coil, releases the collected heat outside. The evaporator and condenser coils are serpentine tubing surrounded by aluminum fins. This tubing is usually made of copper.
A pump, called the compressor, moves a heat transfer fluid (or refrigerant) between the evaporator and the condenser. The pump forces the refrigerant through the circuit of tubing and fins in the coils.
The liquid refrigerant evaporates in the indoor evaporator coil, pulling heat out of indoor air and thereby cooling your home. The hot refrigerant gas is pumped outdoors into the condenser where it reverts back to a liquid, giving up its heat to the outside air flowing over the condenser’s metal tubing and fins.
Types of Air Conditioners
The two most common types of air conditioners are room air conditioners and central air conditioners. A compromise between the two types of systems is provided by ductless, mini-split air conditioners.
Room air conditioners cool just one room or small space, rather than an entire building.
Central air conditioners circulate cool air through a system of supply and return ducts that carry cool air from the air conditioner to the building. This cooled air becomes warmer as it circulates through the building; then it flows back to the central air conditioner through return ducts and registers.
Ductless, mini-split systems are similar to central air conditioners in that they have an outdoor compressor or condenser and an indoor air-handling unit. However, because they are ductless, they are often used in buildings with non-ducted systems. Instead, a conduit with the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tubing, and condensate drain links the outdoor and indoor units.
More Information
Visit the Energy Saver website for more information about residential air conditioners, including the types available, maintenance, common problems and repair tips.
Visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Appliance and Commercial Equipment Standards site for information on test procedures and minimum efficiency standards for residential and commercial air conditioners.
About AirNow Home Services
AirNow Home Services is a full-service air-conditioning and heating contractor located in Millbrook, Ala., serving Montgomery, Autauga, Lowndes and Elmore Counties. The business services and installs heating and air-conditioning systems. In addition to completing scheduled service checks, repairing existing equipment and installing new equipment, the company finds ways to reduce the energy bills of its clients with a thorough cost-benefits analysis.
AirNow offers a patented Straight Forward Pricing Guide™ so that customers know what the price is before a project begins. Meanwhile, to contact AirNow Home Services for a service call, a free quote on a new HVAC system or further information on any of its services, please call (334) 384-6050 or email service@airnowhvac.com.