How to Understand the Basic Operation of the Home Air Conditioning System
Understand what the compressor does., Understand the role of the condenser., Note the metering device., Understand the role of the evaporator coil.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Understand what the compressor does.
The compressor is the heart of a basic home air and heat unit.
It pumps vapor refrigerant through the system and maintains the internal pressure of your home unit based on the temperature of it surroundings. -
Step 2: Understand the role of the condenser.
This is where the refrigerant goes once it leaves the compressor.
The gas refrigerant enters as a high pressure, superheated gas.
As the gas works its way through the Condenser it begins to cool. (It cools from air being blown over the outside of the lines.
From a fan that forces air that is cooler over the hot lines that the gas is running through.
As the gas cools it starts to transform back into a liquid.
By the time the refrigerant is leaving the condenser. it should about 100% liquid. , The next step of the refrigeration process where it passes through what is called a capillary tube, or a Thermostatic Expansion Valve (TXV).
This device meters the amount of refrigerant going through the system, based on how much demand is placed on cooling or heating.
Too much liquid, or too little liquid going through could result in damage to the system, or insufficient cooling or heating of the system.
This is important because the liquid refrigerant leaving the Metering Device then goes to the Evaporator Coil. , This is where the cooling inside the living area comes from.
As the Liquid going through the Metering Device that we talked about in the last step enters it quickly undergoes a state of change back from a liquid to a gas.
The transformation occurs from cool air being blown over the coils from the indoor unit.
The air coming into contact with these coils cools the air as it passes through the system before being returned back into the area that is being cooled.
The gas leaves the Evaporator as a low pressure, low temperature, and sub-cooled vapor.
The vapor then returns back into the compressor to start the whole process over again. -
Step 3: Note the metering device.
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Step 4: Understand the role of the evaporator coil.
Detailed Guide
The compressor is the heart of a basic home air and heat unit.
It pumps vapor refrigerant through the system and maintains the internal pressure of your home unit based on the temperature of it surroundings.
This is where the refrigerant goes once it leaves the compressor.
The gas refrigerant enters as a high pressure, superheated gas.
As the gas works its way through the Condenser it begins to cool. (It cools from air being blown over the outside of the lines.
From a fan that forces air that is cooler over the hot lines that the gas is running through.
As the gas cools it starts to transform back into a liquid.
By the time the refrigerant is leaving the condenser. it should about 100% liquid. , The next step of the refrigeration process where it passes through what is called a capillary tube, or a Thermostatic Expansion Valve (TXV).
This device meters the amount of refrigerant going through the system, based on how much demand is placed on cooling or heating.
Too much liquid, or too little liquid going through could result in damage to the system, or insufficient cooling or heating of the system.
This is important because the liquid refrigerant leaving the Metering Device then goes to the Evaporator Coil. , This is where the cooling inside the living area comes from.
As the Liquid going through the Metering Device that we talked about in the last step enters it quickly undergoes a state of change back from a liquid to a gas.
The transformation occurs from cool air being blown over the coils from the indoor unit.
The air coming into contact with these coils cools the air as it passes through the system before being returned back into the area that is being cooled.
The gas leaves the Evaporator as a low pressure, low temperature, and sub-cooled vapor.
The vapor then returns back into the compressor to start the whole process over again.
About the Author
Joan Gutierrez
Specializes in breaking down complex crafts topics into simple steps.
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