How does an air cooling system work?

An air cooling system works by using a chemical, known as a coolant, which easily converts from liquid to gas and can transfer heat from inside a building to outside. These systems are commonly found in air conditioners and refrigerators.

An air cooling system contains three major parts: a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator. The compressor and condenser are typically located outside the home, while the evaporator is inside. The coolant enters the compressor as a low-pressure gas. After it is compressed, it leaves as a high-pressure, heated gas. From there, it moves into the condenser.

The coolant is changed from a gas to a much cooler liquid, which passes through a small hole into the evaporator. In the evaporator, it is changed to a gas. At it transforms to as gas, the coolant pulls in heat from the air surrounding it; this heat is used to separate the molecules to turn it into a gas. The coolant leaves the evaporator as a cool gas, which is felt in the home as cool air. A fan is connected to the evaporator, and this fan blows the cool air throughout the room. This process continues until the room reaches the desired temperature.