Clicking the request information button constitutes your express written consent, without obligation to purchase, to be contacted (including through automated means, e.g. dialing & text messages) via telephone, mobile device (including SMS & MMS), and/or email, even if your telephone number is on a corporate, state or the National Do Not Call Registry, and you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Air conditioners come in many forms and sizes, but all follow the same basic principles. An air conditioner eliminates heat and humidity from the inside air to create comfortable, cool air within a house or other enclosed area. In this article, we’ll break down the various major components of an air conditioning system and how they work together to cool a space in simple terms for the benefit of those considering the HVAC field as a career.
A conventional air conditioning system comprises three major parts: an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser.
In addition, most modern air conditioning systems include two more major parts: an air filter which captures dust and grime to protect the system’s internal parts and enhance air quality inside the building, and the thermostat which sets the desired level of cooling. However, the three components above are those essential for making the process of cooling happen.
Let’s look at it another way by going over the cooling process step by step.
The fundamental scientific principle that makes air conditioners work is heat transfer. In simple terms, if you place a hot object and a cold object next to each other, the colder object absorbs heat, making it warmer, while at the same time the hot object gets cooler. The cold refrigerant tubes are colder than the warm air inside the building, so they absorb heat. The hot refrigerant gas in the condenser is hotter than the outside air, so the outside air absorbs heat from it and starts to cool the gas back down into a liquid.
You can now see that contrary to what some people imagine, an air conditioner does not “create” cool air. Rather, it’s circulating the same air through the building, but using the principle of heat transfer to remove heat from the air and move it outside.
Naturally, our explanation of how an air conditioner works has been simplified down to its barest essentials. A single malfunction in any of the major components of an air conditioner, the smaller parts that make up each one, or in related parts like the air filter or thermostat, can keep an air conditioning system from working at optimal efficiency or even stop it from working entirely. When this happens, it’s up to professional HVAC/R (Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration) technicians to correct the problem.
HVAC/R is a growing field, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting that demand for HVAC/R installers and technicians will increase by 9% between now and 2033 – much faster than the average for other occupations. This high demand, combined with solid earning potential, is making HVAC/R an attractive career field for many people.
How can you get prepared to enter the growing HVAC/R field? Train at ICT! Our HVAC/R program will help you qualify for a wide range of technician, support, repair, and maintenance positions. It includes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Certifications in the management of refrigerants and North American Technicians Excellence (NATE) Certifications, designed to recognize truly excellent and capable HVAC/R professionals. Plus, our Lifetime Career Placement Support program will be there to help you find work whenever you need it. Enroll today, or contact us for more info.