How do home air conditioners work?
An air conditioning system designed to cool an entire home uses a two-stage system of condensing and expanding a gaseous refrigerant to cool and dehumidify the air.Integrated Climate ControlCentral air conditioners usually operate in conjunction with the home’s heating system, using the same ductwork to deliver either warm or cool air to all parts of the house, according to ConsumerEnergyCenter.org.PartsA typical central air conditioning system includes a condenser unit attached by copper pipes to an evaporator coil.Cooling FunctionThe system’s condenser applies pressure to a gaseous refrigerant. This heated, high-pressure gas then makes its way to the evaporator coil, where it expands, losing pressure and dropping in temperature to cool the air.Dehumidifying ActionAn air conditioner dries air as it cools it. The cooled air that reaches the evaporator coil loses its ability to hold the moisture it held at its former high temperature.
