Traditional air conditioners, known as "split-system" or "central air conditioners," do not typically bring in fresh air from the outside. Their primary function is to cool and circulate indoor air. These types of air conditioners consist of two main components: an indoor unit (evaporator) and an outdoor unit (condenser).
Here's how the cooling process works in a traditional air conditioner:
Indoor Unit (Evaporator): The indoor unit contains a coil with cold refrigerant running through it. When the AC is turned on, the fan inside the indoor unit draws warm air from the room over the cold coil. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air, cooling it down in the process. The cooled air is then blown back into the room, providing a comfortable indoor temperature.
Outdoor Unit (Condenser): The outdoor unit is located outside the building and houses another coil and a compressor. The compressor pressurizes the refrigerant, raising its temperature. The hot refrigerant gas flows through the outdoor coil, releasing the heat to the outside air. This process allows the refrigerant to return to its liquid state.
Refrigerant Cycle: The refrigerant circulates between the indoor and outdoor units in a closed-loop system. It continuously absorbs heat from the indoor air and releases it outside, allowing the indoor air to remain cool and comfortable.
While traditional air conditioners do not bring in fresh air from outside, there are other types of systems that can provide ventilation and fresh air exchange. For example:
Ventilation Systems: Some modern HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems incorporate mechanical ventilation systems. These systems are designed to exchange indoor air with fresh outdoor air while maintaining energy efficiency. They bring in fresh air and exhaust stale indoor air to improve indoor air quality.
Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) and Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs): ERVs and HRVs are devices that transfer heat and sometimes moisture between the outgoing and incoming air streams. They can help maintain indoor comfort while bringing in fresh air from outside.
It's essential to balance indoor comfort, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality when considering the type of HVAC system and ventilation options for a home or building. If fresh air exchange is a priority, specific ventilation systems or the integration of ERVs/HRVs with air conditioning may be considered.