How Does Air Conditioning Work?

How Does Air Conditioning Work?

The one thing most St. Louis homeowners are grateful for, especially during the hot summer days, is the air conditioner. Simply put, it helps keep them sane by beating the extreme temperatures. But what most people never seem to ask themselves is, “How does air conditioning work?” In fact, you may be surprised to find out that how your air conditioner works is quite similar to how your refrigerator works. In this article, we will take a look at how the air conditioning works in your house.

For more help learning how your air conditioning works and tips maintaining your air conditioner, the experts at Galmiche & Sons can help. If you need HVAC maintenance in St. Louis including any questions about your heating & conditioning system, give us a call today at 314-993-1110.

How Does Air Conditioning Work to Cool Your Home?

The science behind how your air conditioning works is pretty simple. To understand it, we must first look at the basic parts of the air conditioning system.

  • Compressor– This is usually located on the outside of your home. It compresses the cooling fluid/gas, which enters as a low-pressure gas, bringing it to a high pressure. As the molecules of the fluid are packed much closer, it becomes a high-pressure gas as it leaves the compressor for the condenser.
  • Condenser– Just like the compressor, the condenser is located on the outside of the home. In the condenser, the hot gas is cooled and is converted back to a liquid during this process. The now much cooler liquid is then passed to the evaporator through a minuscule.
  • Evaporator– When the fluid gets to the evaporator, its pressure has dropped. As a result, it evaporates to a gas. Simultaneously, heat from the surrounding air is used to separate the molecules of the liquid to gas. As the refrigerant leaves the evaporator, it is once again a low-pressure chilled gas. This gas is taken back to the compressor and the process is repeated.

How Does Air Conditioning Work | St. Louis HVAC Tips

During the above process, air is sucked into the air conditioning system through a vent and used to cool the gas in the evaporator. Once the air has been cooled, it is blown back into the house through the ducts in your air conditioning system. This process goes on until the thermostats senses that the right temperature has been reached, signaling it to turn off the air conditioning.

In summary, the basic principle behind how air conditioning works is that heat is removed from inside the home and replaced with chilled dry air. The hot air is then expelled to the outside and the process is repeated.

Find Out More About How Air Conditioning Works or Schedule Service for Your Air Conditioner

The good news is that you do not have to bother yourself with the technicalities of how air conditioning works. Let us worry about that! Galmiche & Sons has been serving the families in St. Louis for many years. We understand how your air conditioner works, and are ready to help with all your HVAC needs. For heating & conditioning services in St. Louis or for help learning how your air conditioning works, call us today at 314-993-1110.

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