The blower in an air conditioner (AC) plays a crucial role in circulating the conditioned air throughout the space it is cooling or heating. The primary purpose of the blower is to draw the air from the room into the AC unit, pass it through the cooling or heating components (such as the evaporator coil or heat exchanger), and then distribute the conditioned air back into the room. The blower ensures that the air is constantly moving, which helps maintain a consistent temperature and provides better comfort.
There are mainly two types of blowers used in air conditioners:
Centrifugal Blower:
- Centrifugal blowers are commonly used in modern air conditioners due to their efficiency and compact size.
- They consist of a fan with blades mounted on a rotating shaft.
- As the fan rotates, the blades draw air into the blower and then force it out in a perpendicular direction to the shaft's axis.
- Centrifugal blowers are capable of delivering higher air pressure, making them suitable for pushing air through ducts and overcoming resistance.
Axial Blower:
- Axial blowers are more straightforward in design compared to centrifugal blowers.
- They have a propeller-like fan mounted on the shaft, and the air is drawn in and expelled along the same axis as the shaft.
- Axial blowers are commonly used in smaller AC units, ventilation systems, and sometimes in window air conditioners.
- They are effective for moving large volumes of air but are less suitable for pushing air through ducts or over longer distances.
Characteristics of blowers:
Airflow capacity: The airflow capacity of a blower determines how much air it can move in a given time, typically measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM).
Static pressure: Static pressure measures the resistance the blower can overcome in pushing the air through the ducts or other components of the AC system. Centrifugal blowers are generally better at handling higher static pressures.
Efficiency: The blower's efficiency is crucial as it affects the overall energy consumption of the AC unit. More efficient blowers help reduce energy costs.
Noise level: The noise produced by the blower is an important consideration, especially for residential and indoor settings. Modern AC units are designed to have quieter blowers.
Size: The physical size of the blower is essential, as it needs to fit within the constraints of the air conditioning unit or system.
Blowers are a critical component in air conditioners, ensuring effective air circulation and maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. Their design and characteristics are selected based on the specific requirements of the AC system and the space it is meant to cool or heat.