Friday, June 6, 2025

How Air Conditioning Systems Work

Air conditioning is a system that cools, dehumidifies and circulates air in indoor spaces to provide comfort for people, pets, plants and equipment. Willis Haviland Carrier designed the first modern air conditioner in 1902, launching an industry and improving our quality of life. Today there are many different types of air conditioning systems, from split wall-mounted units to large packaged ductless systems. Each is designed to cool indoor air, but they all work in the same basic way.

Warm indoor air is cooled by blowing it over a set of cold pipes called an evaporator coil. The evaporator coil is filled with a special liquid, usually refrigerant. When the air passes over the coil, it absorbs heat from the air, causing the refrigerant to change from liquid to gas. The refrigerant then is pumped outside to another coil, where it gives up its heat by changing back into a liquid. The cooled air is then returned to the house.

Most modern air conditioners have a wired controller, also known as a thermostat, that monitors the room temperature and switches heating and cooling on and off as needed. Mechanical thermostats use bimetallic strips that move between metals to sense a temperature change and switch the system on or off, while electronic sensors like thermistors or semiconductors process a sensor signal into an electrical one that controls the air conditioner.

All air conditioners have internal air filters made of a lightweight gauze-like material that need to be cleaned or replaced as conditions warrant. Dirty air filters slow the heat exchange rate and can cause the evaporator coil to freeze, leading to low or no air flow. Air filters in buildings with high dust loads or homes with furry pets require more frequent cleaning or replacement, and in some cases may need to be replaced as frequently as twice per year.

Air quality was the original motivation for sizing and designing air conditioning systems, and it is an important part of any home or business ventilation system. The proper use of air conditioning can significantly reduce the need for other ventilation systems and help improve indoor air quality.



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