How does an Air Conditioner work?

Thompson Cooling offers the following technical information in relation to air conditioning.

How does an air conditioner work?

a) Cooling:

The operation is similar to a refrigerator.

The indoor fan draws air into the conditioner through a filter and over a condenser (containing refrigerant) cooling the air before it is circulated back into the room. In addition to being cooled, the air is dehumidified when moisture in the air condenses on the cold coil. This condensate is drained away. The refrigerant carries the heat absorbed by the cooling coil (evaporator) to the heating coil (condenser) via the compressor and expansion and reversing valves. The outdoor air circulating fan forces air over the hot condenser coils, cooling the refrigerant.

Cooling Mode

b) Heating:

The process is simply reversed when the heating cycle valve is activated.

Heating Mode