An air conditioner (AC) works by removing heat from the indoor air, thus cooling the space it is installed in. It uses a refrigeration cycle to achieve this, transferring heat from inside the building to the outside environment. There are two main components in an AC system: the indoor unit (evaporator) and the outdoor unit (condenser).
Here's a simplified explanation of how an AC works:
Evaporator Coil (Indoor Unit):
- Warm indoor air is drawn into the AC through the return air vents.
- The air passes over the evaporator coil, which contains a cold refrigerant fluid. As the air comes into contact with the cold coil, the heat from the air is absorbed by the refrigerant, causing the refrigerant to evaporate and turn into a low-pressure, low-temperature gas.
Compressor:
- The low-pressure refrigerant gas is then compressed by the compressor, which increases its temperature and pressure significantly.
Condenser Coil (Outdoor Unit):
- The hot, high-pressure refrigerant gas is pumped to the outdoor unit, where it passes through the condenser coil.
- As the refrigerant releases its heat to the outdoor air, it condenses back into a high-pressure liquid.
Expansion Valve:
- The high-pressure liquid refrigerant passes through an expansion valve, which reduces its pressure and temperature, turning it back into a low-pressure, low-temperature gas.
Repeating the Cycle:
- The cycle repeats as the fan in the indoor unit blows the now-cooled air back into the room, while the outdoor unit expels the heat absorbed from the indoor air.
Regarding cooling the whole house or just one room, it depends on the type of AC system you have:
Central Air Conditioning System: A central AC system cools the entire house by distributing conditioned air through a network of ducts and vents. The cooled air is delivered to each room, and the return air is pulled back to the central unit for reconditioning.
Ductless Mini-Split System: A ductless mini-split system consists of one outdoor unit and one or more indoor units (wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted) for individual rooms or zones. Each indoor unit cools its designated space independently, allowing for room-by-room temperature control.
Window or Portable AC Units: These are designed to cool a single room or a small area and are not typically used for cooling an entire house.
The choice between cooling the whole house or individual rooms depends on factors like the size of your home, your cooling needs, budget, and the level of control you want over different areas' temperatures. A central AC system is more suitable for cooling the whole house, while ductless mini-split or portable/window AC units are more suitable for cooling individual rooms or specific zones.