How Does A Split System Air Conditioner Work?


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Observation:

Unlike what many people think, an air conditioner does not ADD cool air to an area but instead REMOVES heat from the existing air, leaving the remaining air cooler.

Theory:

Oversimplified, the miracle of cooling is accomplished by the user of (1) refrigerant; (2) a compressor and (3) an evaporator.

Refrigerant acts like a sponge."Squeeze" (compress) it and the heat is expelled; let it expand and it will absorb heat.

If you squeeze it outside, the heat is expelled into the air; bring it back into the house and let it expand and it will soak up more heat from within.

A Visual Sequence Of Events:

Thermostat (1) simultaneously energizes indoor blower (10), outside condenser fan (5), and compressor (3). Refrigerant (2) enters compressor(3) as a low temperature (LT), low pressure (LP) gas. Compressor's (3) "squeezing" action converts LT/LP

gas to high temperature (HT), high pressure (HP) gas as it leaves compressor and enters condenser coil (4). Condenser fan (5) transfers heat from HP/HT gas to the outside air (6); this reduces gas to HP/LT liquid (7). HP/LT liquid (7) leaves condenser coil (4)

To Activate This System

and enters evaporator coil (8) through a narrow orifice (expansion valve). As liquid expands, it loses pressure reverting back to a LT/LP gas. This LT/LP gas, flowing through the evaporator coil (8), absorbs heat from the return air (9) circulated over the evaporator coil (8) by the indoor blower (10) and returns (2) to the compressor (3) to start a new cycle.