One of the first things to understand about air conditioning is to realize what is meant by the term ‘air cooled’.
This means that the air conditioning system uses a chemical refrigerant to remove heat from the air.
Years ago, this refrigerant was referred to as ‘freon’, but it has been phased out in newer models. Water-cooled air conditioning systems are usually used in large buildings, using water instead of refrigerants to cool the air. Refrigerants are added when the system is first installed and cycles continuously through the components of the air conditioning unit. The air conditioner absorbs the heat and moisture from the indoor air and releases it to the outside. The evaporator/air handler unit is located inside the building and the compressor and condenser are located outside. Heat is removed from the interior air at the evaporator coil. This long metal coil has plenty of surface area for the air to move over the coils in order to be cooled. When the air leaves the evaporator coil, it enters the compressor – or the heart of the system. It’s the compressor’s job to pump the refrigerant through the system – much like a human heart pumps oxygen through the blood system. The condenser coil releases the absorbed heat to the outside. Next, the outside fan blows air over the condenser coils to help release heat. The indoor fans move air over the evaporator coils and blow cooled air into the ducts, which ultimately makes its way to the individual rooms of the house. The real trick of cooling the air has to do with removing moisture, or humidity, from the air. The refrigerant is used to remove moisture, which flows down through condensation lines and then drained away. And THAT’S how air conditioning works.
temperature control