An air conditioner functions in cycles.
Air conditioners cool the air in a similar manner to how refrigerators function. Rather than just cooling a small space, however, an air conditioner can cool down a room, a group of rooms or an entire home; depending on the size of the unit. An air conditioner has an intricate and somewhat complex internal system that works in cycles to cool the air in a room.
Features
The basic parts of an air conditioner include a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and heated coils. In any air conditioning unit, there is a portion that stays in the home and a portion that remains outside of the home. The compressor and condenser are normally located outside, while the coils and evaporator are inside. The heated coils are located inside the compressor.
Function
The basic functioning of an air conditioner, according to The California Energy Commission, is turning a refrigerant (usually a gas) into a liquid, and then back again to a gas. This process is accomplished when the refrigerant is squeezed and manipulated inside the compressor and leaves as a hot gas. The gas then enters the condenser, is cooled off and changed into a liquid. The liquid enters into the evaporator (inside the house) and is evaporated into a cool gas that helps to strip heat from air molecules. After the air has been cooled, the low-pressure gas starts its trip back through the evaporator, condenser and compressor; in order to prepare for the next cooling cycle.
Time Frame
The time that it takes for an air conditioner to automatically turn on and begin to cool down an area depends on the size of the space to be cooled and the temperature of the space. Most home air conditioning systems have a thermostat in every room and the unit in that particular space is guided by that room's temperature. When the thermostat reaches a predetermined temperature (normally 65 to 70 percent), the air conditioner will automatically turn on to cool off the room. Manual air conditioners take 10 to 15 minutes to cool an average-sized room. It may take longer for very large rooms.
Effects
When the air conditioning unit dispenses cool air, the hot air in a room rises to the ceiling area, and the cool air takes its place. According to the California Energy Commission, one of the reasons home air conditioning units have vents located at floor level is so that the cool air will push all of the hot air up from floor level.
Considerations
Air conditioners should be serviced annually. A proper functioning air conditioner will increase your home's energy efficiency. The California Energy Commission recommends heat pumps as an alternative for traditional heating systems. They indicate that some home air conditioning systems come with a switch that alternates between air conditioning and heating. They function with the air conditioning cycle and also reverse the cycle when the heating switch is selected. These units are energy efficient machines; however, if you reside in an area that gets icy during certain times of the year, a heat pump may not work well for you. The machine has been known to have ice build up and effect the functioning of its coils.
Tags: California Energy, California Energy Commission, cool room, Energy Commission, home conditioning
