An air conditioner and a heat pump work on similar principles to provide cooling or heating, respectively. Both systems use the refrigeration cycle to transfer heat energy from one place to another. Here's a simplified explanation of how an air conditioner works as a heat pump:
Evaporator: The process begins with the evaporator coil located inside the indoor unit. A refrigerant, typically a chemical compound like R-410A or R-32, circulates through the coil. The refrigerant is a substance with low boiling and condensing temperatures.
Heat Absorption: When the air conditioner is in cooling mode, warm air from the room is drawn in through the return air duct. This warm air passes over the cold evaporator coil. As the air moves over the coil, the refrigerant inside absorbs the heat energy from the air, causing the refrigerant to evaporate and turn into a gas.
Compressor: The low-pressure refrigerant gas from the evaporator is then drawn into a compressor, typically located in the outdoor unit. The compressor's role is to increase the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant.
Condenser: The high-pressure refrigerant gas then flows into the condenser coil, which is located in the outdoor unit. Here, the heat from the refrigerant is released into the outside air. As the refrigerant loses heat, it condenses back into a liquid state.
Expansion Valve: The high-pressure liquid refrigerant now passes through an expansion valve, which restricts its flow and reduces its pressure. As a result, the refrigerant's temperature drops significantly.
Heat Release: The cool, low-pressure liquid refrigerant then returns to the evaporator coil, and the process repeats. The fan inside the indoor unit blows air over the evaporator coil, and the cool air is circulated back into the room, providing a cooling effect.
In heating mode, the process is reversed. The heat pump extracts heat energy from the outside air, even in cold weather, and transfers it inside to warm the air in the living space. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the outdoor air, and the condenser coil releases the heat indoors while the evaporator acts as the outdoor coil.
By using the refrigeration cycle, air conditioners and heat pumps can efficiently transfer heat energy from one place to another, providing cooling or heating as desired.