How Does Air Conditioning Work?

The basic function of an air conditioning is that it pumps hot air outside while releasing cool air inside. However, the process going on inside the unit is a little more complicated than that.

The main principle that powers air conditioning is similar to how refrigerators work. Once you understand that liquid absorbs heat as it becomes a gas, you can begin to understand the way an air conditioning unit works.

Read on as we answer how air conditioning works in a bit more detail.

How does air conditioning work to cool a room?

Air conditioning units are often controlled by a thermostat. When the room becomes too warm, it begins to extract this warm air from your room.

This is then passed over pipes full of a fluid called a coolant or refrigerant. This chemical has properties that allow it to become a gas at a fairly low temperature.

At this point in the cycle, the coolant is a cool fluid, but as the warm air passes over it, the coolant absorbs the heat. It is also compressed, which increases the pressure and therefore the temperature of the refrigerant. This causes it to evaporate from the heat, turning it into a gas. As it turns into a gas, it absorbs heat from the air around it, cooling the air.

The air is then sent to a dehumidifier to extract any excess moisture from it, particularly during humid days. It can then be pumped back into the room, while excess warm air is pumped outside.

And repeat…

In order to repeat the process, the coolant must be turned back into a liquid. To do this, the liquid is sent through a condenser. Outside air is used to cool it back into a liquid, which can then start the cycle all over again with new air.

The result is a much cooler indoor area with a temperature that can be controlled according to your needs. First developed in 1902, this method has been used to cool people down for over a century. As science has evolved, air conditioning now uses coolants that are better for the environment, but other than that the process is largely the same.

Other benefits of air conditioning

As well as cooling your room, air conditioning filters your air. This is because the internal unit needs to be free of dust and other debris in order to function efficiently. The air taken in is filtered to protect the system, but that means that the air pumped out is freshly filtered.

The process also involves dehumidifying the air, which is beneficial to control the amount of moisture in your room and prevent mould.

Another indirect benefit is that you can keep your windows closed. As well as being much quicker at cooling a room than just opening a window, air conditioning doesn’t allow bugs to enter your home!

Air conditioning that works for your needs

If you’re thinking of installing air conditioning, COA Services can help throughout Leeds and Harrogate. Our air conditioning experts can advise on the right commercial air conditioning or AC for your home. We’ll then supply and install your system on a day that suits you.

Contact [email protected] or 01423408336 for more information or to get a no-obligation quote.