How an air conditioner works

Invented in 1902 by Willis Haviland Carrier, the air conditioner was originally created for humidity control because the air at a publishing company sometimes absorbed moisture from the warm air, making it extremely difficult to apply inking techniques.

Carrier got the air inside the building and blew it across chilled pipes, reducing the humidity and resolving the issue.

Air conditioners contain a chemical which converts from a gas to a liquid, and then back to a gas again. This chemical is utilised to transfer heat from the air inside of a property to the outside air.

There are two types of air conditioners which are indoor and outdoor units. Both machines comprise three core components; a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator.

Indoor units

Indoor units consist of a coil box which contains an evaporator. This allows for the refrigerant, a cooling fluid which is inside the coil, to evaporate and absorb heat. Once the heat is absorbed, cool air is sent back into the property.

Outdoor units

Outdoor units contain a compressor which distributes heat from outside the property. The heat which is absorbed from the air is then transferred to the refrigerant and pumped into the outdoor unit.

As the heat is absorbed and moved by the outdoor coil, it passes through the compressor. The refrigerant is then compressed to a higher pressure and moved through the condenser. 

As the refrigerant goes through the condenser, a fan delivers cool air across the condenser. The heat from inside the property is then distributed to the air outside.

To find out more about air conditioners and how they work contact PAR Refrigeration