Central Air Conditioning Systems

Air cooled air conditioning systems usually work in conjunction with a forced-air furnace. The systems have two main components: the evaporator unit located in the ductwork immediately above the furnace, and the condenser unit located outdoors. The refrigerant enters the evaporator as a cold liquid and absorbs heat from the household air to boil the liquid and turn it into a gas. The resulting reduction in air temperature also causes water in the house air to condense, reducing humidity levels within the house. This dehumidifying helps make the house more comfortable.

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The refrigerant, which is now a gas, moves outdoors to the condenser unit. The compressor squeezes the gas into a smaller volume. All the heat which is contained in the gas is also squeezed into a smaller volume and consequently, the gas becomes hotter than the outside air. The hot gas then enters the condenser coil. A fan in the condenser unit blows outdoor air across the coil and cools the gas. As it cools, it condenses into a liquid. The liquid then passes through a pressure reducing device which causes the temperature of the liquid to drop below that of the household air. The liquid passing through the evaporator coil is evaporated into a gas again, stealing more heat and humidity from the house and the cycle continues.

The compressor which moves the refrigerant through the lines and compresses the refrigerant is the heart of the system. It is usually located outdoors in the same cabinet as the condenser.

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