| AIR CONDITIONERS |
What is Air Conditioning?
An air conditioner is basically a refrigerator without the insulated box. It uses the evaporation of a
refrigerant, like Freon, to provide cooling. The mechanics of the Freon evaporation cycle are the same
in a refrigerator as in an air conditioner. The term, Freon, is the term used for any of various
nonflammable fluorocarbons used as refrigerants and as propellants for aerosols.
An air conditioner is basically a refrigerator without the insulated box. It uses the evaporation of a
refrigerant, like Freon, to provide cooling. The mechanics of the Freon evaporation cycle are the same
in a refrigerator as in an air conditioner. The term, Freon, is the term used for any of various
nonflammable fluorocarbons used as refrigerants and as propellants for aerosols.
| Diagram of a typical air conditioner |
A. Expansion valve
B. Compressor
B. Compressor
This is how the evaporation cycle in an air conditioner works:
1. The compressor compresses cool Freon gas, causing it to become hot, high pressure Freon
gas (red in the diagram above).
2. This hot gas runs through a set of coils so it can dissipate its heat, and in condenses into a
liquid.
3. The Freon liquid runs through an expansion valve, and in the process it evaporates to
become cold, low-pressure Freon gas (light blue in the diagram above).
4. This cold gas runs through a set of coils that allow the gas to absorb heat and cool down the
air inside the building.
Mixed in with the Freon is a small amount of a lightweight oil. This oil lubricates the compressor.
1. The compressor compresses cool Freon gas, causing it to become hot, high pressure Freon
gas (red in the diagram above).
2. This hot gas runs through a set of coils so it can dissipate its heat, and in condenses into a
liquid.
3. The Freon liquid runs through an expansion valve, and in the process it evaporates to
become cold, low-pressure Freon gas (light blue in the diagram above).
4. This cold gas runs through a set of coils that allow the gas to absorb heat and cool down the
air inside the building.
Mixed in with the Freon is a small amount of a lightweight oil. This oil lubricates the compressor.
Air Conditioners come in various sizes and cooling capacities.
B T U and S E E R
Most air conditioners have their capacity rated in British Thermal Units (BTU). Generally speaking,
a BTU is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water 1 degree
Fahrenheit. In heating and cooling terms, 1 "ton" equals 12,000 BTU.
The seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER) of an air conditioner is its BTU rating over its
wattage. For example, if a 10,000-BTU air conditioner consumes 1,200 watts, its SEER is 8.3
(10,000 BTU/1,200 watts). Obviously, you would like the SEER to be as high as possible, but
normally a higher SEER is accompanied by a higher price.
a BTU is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water 1 degree
Fahrenheit. In heating and cooling terms, 1 "ton" equals 12,000 BTU.
The seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER) of an air conditioner is its BTU rating over its
wattage. For example, if a 10,000-BTU air conditioner consumes 1,200 watts, its SEER is 8.3
(10,000 BTU/1,200 watts). Obviously, you would like the SEER to be as high as possible, but
normally a higher SEER is accompanied by a higher price.
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| Larry Harding "Captain of Comfort" |
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| 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE e-mail: harding-heat-cool@sbcglobal.net LOCAL NUMBERS: 330-823-8461__ 330-332-4688__ 330-455-4321__ 330-298-9000 |