How Does Air Conditioner Work?

Nowadays, it's tough to imagine a smart household without an air conditioner. As the summer’s heat rises, so does our need for air conditioners. It’s a saving grace for many and makes a huge difference in our lives. Yet, a lot of us, do not know how air conditioners work and the mechanism remains a mystery. 

The air conditioner’s mechanism is a combination of physics, engineering, and thermodynamics. While thermodynamics is the core component, the engineering bit provides better features and more comfort. 

In short, an air conditioner functions by manipulating the properties of refrigerants. It utilizes the principles of heat transfer to extract warmth from indoor spaces and expel it outside. There are a couple of phases of this entire process and we’re going to discuss in detail. 

An air conditioner has a lot of parts like fans, filters, compressors, vents, and control systems. All of these parts work in sync with each other to control the temperature, air quality, and humidity. Thus each component’s role is vital in the entire process.

In this article, we’ll discuss how air conditioning works and shed light on the science behind it. Stay with us till the end if you want to understand air conditioning technology better.

What is An Air Conditioner? 

An air conditioner or AC, is a mechanical system designed to regulate and maintain the indoor temperature. Other than that, it can also control humidity and air quality within a controlled environment. An air conditioner is mostly used to cool down the temperature during hot weather. Because of that, it has become an essential feature in homes, offices, and vehicles. 

At its simplest, an air conditioner consists of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit is usually mounted on a wall or ceiling. It’s the part that we see all the time. The outdoor unit also consists of a compressor and condenser coil. These two devices work together to circulate refrigerant which is a special fluid that can absorb heat. We’ll talk about the functionalities later in detail. 

Other than lowering the temperature, ACs can also dehumidify, ventilate, and filter dirty air. All of these functions make the indoors a healthy and comfortable place. Some air conditioners come with better heating capabilities for regions with extreme climates. This helps an AC provide a full year of climate control. 

The constant innovations and global competition between brands have revolutionized the living environments. It has greatly improved our lives giving us relief from the scorched heat. Air conditioners also lessen stress and increase productivity which is great for studying or sleeping.

That being said, let’s have a detailed look at how an air conditioner functions!

How Does Air Conditioner Work? 

In physics terms, air conditioners operate on the principles of thermodynamics. It combines a mechanical and refrigeration system to change indoor temperature. Besides temperature, it can also increase or decrease the humidity and air quality.
To understand the functionality better, you’ll have to break down the process. When done, you’ll see that multiple parts of air conditioners have unique roles to fulfill. For simplicity, we’ve discussed them in brief. 

Step 1: Compression

Compression is the cooling process of the refrigerant. But before discussing it, we need to know about refrigerants first. 

The refrigerant is the heart of the air conditioning process. It’s this substance that air conditioners use to alter the temperature. It is a fluid with a low boiling point. Because of that, it can easily transition between liquid and gas states. 

Some of the common refrigerants are R-410A, R600a, etc. After a lot of criticism, many brands have started using environment-friendly refrigerants. 

The compression is the phase where the compressor starts pressurizing the refrigerant gas. As a result, the temperature and energy level of the refrigerant start going up. After that, the gas is circulated through the system.

Step 2: Condensation

After being circulated through the system, the gas eventually reaches the condenser coil. As the name suggests, the high-temperature refrigerant gas starts cooling down in the condenser coil. 

The process is very simple here, the gas starts dissipating heat out in the air. Eventually, the refrigerant condenses into a liquid state. 

Step 3: Expansion

The liquid refrigerant then passes through the expansion valve. This is also known as a capillary tube. This results in the valve’s pressure getting lowered very fast. This causes the refrigerant to evaporate quickly.

Step 4: Evaporation & Heat Absorption

The next step happens in the evaporator coil of the air conditioning system. The cold refrigerant flows through the evaporator coil. As the refrigerant evaporates, it starts absorbing heat from the surrounding air. 

As a result, the temperature of the indoor air starts going down. The fan inside the indoor air conditioning unit helps spread the cool air in the room. 

Step 5: Heat Disposal

The refrigerant that absorbs the heat from the indoor air goes back to the outside unit. Then the heat is released into the atmosphere. After that, the refrigerant returns to the compressor to repeat the cycle.  

Air conditioners incorporate components such as air filters and fans to improve air quality and circulation. Some models also feature dehumidifiers that remove excess moisture from the air to enhance comfort levels.

6 Types of Air Conditioners That You Need to Know About

Air conditioners come in different sizes and types depending on the price and efficiency. They also differ based on workload capacity, features, and building type. 

6 types of air conditioners are currently very popular in the market. For better understanding, we’ve discussed them in brief. 

Inverter Air Conditioner

Inverter ACs are one of the most popular air conditioners to go for. It is a significant advancement in cooling technology that offers improved efficiency and comfort. Inverter ACs are also really good at energy saving compared to conventional air conditioners. 

Unlike traditional air conditioners that operate at a fixed speed, inverter ACs feature variable-speed compressors. It allows them to adjust their cooling capacity based on the temperature requirements of the room. This results in lower energy bills and reduced environmental impact.

Moreover, inverter ACs are also quieter and have smoother temperature regulation compared to non-inverter models. It greatly enhances comfort levels during studying, relaxing, or sleeping. Despite being an expensive option, Inverter ACs are the most cost-effective in the long run. 

Non-Inverter Air Conditioner

Non-Inverter ACs are the exact opposite and a cheaper option. This is also as popular as the inverter ACs. Its low buying price is a cost-effective cooling solution for many households and businesses. 

Non-inverter air conditioners lack the variable-speed compressor technology of their inverter counterparts. These AC units use fixed-speed compressors that operate at a constant cooling capacity regardless of the room temperature. 

Non-inverter ACs are suitable for smaller houses as they run at a fixed speed. They’re also best for occasional use. If you want to run AC only in extreme heat, a non-inverter is the best option. They’re also cheaper; making them very affordable for budget-conscious homeowners. Besides, non-inverter ACs are straightforward to install and maintain.

Split Air Conditioner

A split air conditioner can either be an inverter or a non-inverter. Split air conditioners are used for cooling a specific room instead of the entire house. If you want to have 4 different AC settings for 4 rooms, you’ll need split ACs. 

Split air conditioners are more expensive to install and maintain compared to window air conditioners. They also require a lot of space and the installation cost is high. Installing these ACs once per room is going to cost a lot of money. But they will provide room-based control which is good to have.

On the plus side, they require very little maintenance. They’re also very quiet which is great for bedrooms, offices and other commercial buildings. For larger rooms with specific air conditioning, Split ACs are a must-have option. 

Window Air Conditioner

Window ACs are the budget option against the Split ACs. They’re also for room-based air conditioning instead of central air conditioning. While they’re cheaper to buy and easier to install, they can be very loud.

As the name suggests, window ACs are installed beside the window wall. The installation is very easy and often doesn’t need a technician. This is perfect for rental spaces and small offices. 

Windows ACs are less aesthetically pleasing since they can be seen from both inside and outside. They’re also louder since the compressor unit will be inside the room instead of outside. 

Wall Air Conditioner

Wall air conditioners are functionally similar to window ACs. But they’re installed in wall openings instead of windows. There are however a couple of pros and cons for both of them.

Wall ACs are more complex to install and require an expert. You’ll have to cut open some holes to secure the wall AC unit. But they’re less noisy and more aesthetically pleasing compared to window ACs. Wall ACs have better cooling efficiency and make less noise. Needless to say, they’re more expensive than the window ACs but come with great benefits. 

Portable Air Conditioner

As the name suggests, portable AC units can be transferred from room to room. It’s the most budget-friendly option to pick as it has no installation costs. It offers convenience and versatility, often at the cost of performance. 

For rental spaces, portable ACs are a great option. But compared to Window or other AC units, their cooling performance is poor. They also take up floor spaces which may be bothersome for many people. 

How to Maintain an Air Conditioner? 

To ensure a longer lifespan, maintaining an air conditioner is a must. Your AC will deliver great performance depending on how well-kept it is.

Here’s how you can maintain an air conditioner-

• Regular Cleaning: Air filters get dirty all the time. Make sure to clean or replace the air filters once every 3 months. It will minimize the dust buildup. A cleaner air filter ensures better airflow which is essential for air conditioning. 
• Coil Cleaning: The evaporator and condenser coils will need to be cleaned annually to remove dirt and debris. This will improve the cooling efficiency. 
• Check and Clear Drainage: Inspect the condensate drain line for clogs or blockages regularly. Flush the drain line with a mixture of bleach and water to prevent mold growth. Hire a professional if it seems too complex for you.
• Inspect Refrigerant Levels: Routine inspection of refrigerant levels is beneficial for your AC’s health. Fix a scheduled maintenance with an expert to check refrigerant levels. He will also look for leaks and other malfunctions. 
• Outdoor Unit Maintenance: Check for dirt and debris buildup in your outdoor unit. Doing this once every month will keep the outdoor unit healthy. It will keep the airflow pristine and cooling efficient.
• Professional Servicing: Air conditioners require annual maintenance. Make sure to have a qualified technician scheduled to perform a thorough inspection. Repair and replace the parts as required. 

FAQs

1. Question: Does AC take air from outside?

Answer: No, the air conditioners do not utilize any outside air. Rather, they transfer the heat from the indoor air by using refrigerant. 

2. Question: Can 1 AC be used for 2 rooms?

Answer: It depends on whether the AC can meet the heat load of two rooms. If the air conditioner doesn't have sufficient capacity, it can’t be used for two rooms. 

3. Question: Can I use 1.5-ton AC for a small room?

Answer: 1.5-ton air conditioners are best for 130 to 200 sq. ft. rooms. If your room is only 100 to 130 sq. ft. then a 1-ton AC will be enough. Likewise, for rooms bigger than 200 sq. ft. you will need 2-ton ACs.

Conclusion

That was all we could discuss on air conditioners. We are more than happy to explain the differences and functionalities of ACs to you. In summary, air conditioners use thermodynamics to dissipate the heat of indoor air. 

The average air conditioner price in Bangladesh for 1-ton AC is around 35,000 BDT to 50,000 BDT. For a 1.5-ton inverter AC, the price ranges between 75,000 BDT to 140,000 BDT.

If it has made you interested in getting an AC for yourself, you can check out House of Butterfly. We have multiple brands and offer the best air conditioner prices in Bangladesh.