How does an Air Conditioner Work: Evaporator and Condenser Coils

Florida’s summer is impossible to bear without turning on the air conditioner. Hence, it is essential to have the air conditioning system assessed and repaired before the summer season arrives. For most people, the inner parts of an air conditioning system are a mystery.

You can always call an HVAC technician to identify the problem and perform a quick repair. However, basic knowledge about an air conditioner helps in identifying the issue at your end. The information is also useful when going for parts replacement or buying a new AC altogether.

How Does an Air Conditioner Work?

An air conditioner, as the name suggests, conditions the air. Unlike what most people think, it does not cool the air. The cold environment is a result of effective heat transfer. In simpler terms, an air conditioner extracts warm air from indoors and moves it outdoor, making the indoor environment cold and comfortable.

The fundamental components of an air conditioner include a refrigerant, evaporator, and condenser coil.

The AC refrigerant is a heat-absorbing chemical with unique properties. It constantly changes its state to move heat from inside your home to the outside. The refrigerant extracts heat from the air – releases the cool air indoors and warm air outdoor.

The Evaporator Coil

The function of an evaporator coil is to extract warm air from indoor and expose it to the refrigerant. The refrigerant flows in tubes inside the evaporator coil. Most air conditioners have these coils positioned as U-shaped panels. The cold refrigerant absorbs the heat as soon as the evaporator exposes warm air to it.

At this moment, the refrigerant has a temperature of 40°C and maximum heat-absorbing properties. Now, the cold air circulates inside the house through blowers.

The warm room air - absorbed by the evaporator - condenses into liquid when it encounters the cold refrigerant. It conditions the indoor environment by reducing the moisture level. The liquid leaves the system through a condensate line.

The Condenser Coil

The condenser coil is located in the outer unit of an air conditioner. It performs the opposite function of an evaporator. The warm air from the copper coil collects in the compressor inside the condenser unit. The compressor changes the warm air into hot air that passes through the many condenser coils. A fan blowing over the condenser allows the hot air to release heat. As it cools, the hot air converts back to liquid. It then flows back to your home through the copper coils into the metering device located near the evaporator coil.

Periodic upkeep of evaporator and condenser coils is essential for a properly functioning air conditioner. If you are looking for a reliable and affordable place to have your air conditioner assessed and repaired, connect with Florida Breeze. They offer air conditioner installation, air conditioner repair, and other HVAC services.

Contact them for quick and efficient air conditioning and HVAC services.