How Does Air Conditioning Work? 

We all know how important it is to be comfortable at work. If your workplace becomes too hot or too cold, it can cause an unwelcome distraction.

Air conditioning systems are a useful way of regulating the temperature of a space, ensuring everyone in the building is comfortable throughout the day. While you might think they’re just designed to keep a building cool, they’re a way of regulating the temperature to keep it at an optimum level.

The history of air conditioning dates back to 1902, when it was invented by Willis Haviland Carrieras a way to combat the excess humidity at the Brooklyn printing press where he worked. Air conditioning units have come a long way since then, and are a common feature in workplaces and homes.

But how exactly does air conditioning work? Learn more in our simple guide.

Air conditioning basics

Air conditioning works by taking the warm air out of a room, removing the heat and pumping the cool air back into the room. It’s a similar process to refrigeration, removing heat sources to enable cold air to filter back through.

Air conditioning units work differently from fans, which only circulate air around the room.

The process of air conditioning works like this:

• Heat is drawn from the air into the air conditioning unit.
• Internal evaporator pipes, which are filled with a coolant, cool the air.
• At the same time, moisture is removed through an in-built dehumidifier.

• The coolant absorbs the heat, evaporating as the warm heat turns to gas.
• As the warm air is expelled, the coolant returns to a condenser where it turns back into a liquid to continue the cooling process.
• Cold air is released back into the room, where it can help reduce the overall temperature.

Air conditioning components and their function

Air conditioners work continuously while they are powered on to help maintain a comfortable temperature. Once you turn off the aircon unit, the room will begin to return to its natural temperature.

Air conditioning requires many different components to work. Each component must function to enable the air conditioning unit to work effectively.

Evaporator

The evaporator draws in warm air through a steady flow, allowing heat to be absorbed by a cool coil filled with a liquid coolant.

Compressor

The compressor works to compress the amount of gas moving through the system, increasing the pressure to help with the condensing process.

Condenser

The condenser will take the heat that’s been absorbed and pump it outside, leaving the remaining vapour to condense into a liquid. The cold air is pumped back out, while the liquid returns to the coil to continue the cooling process.

The benefits of air conditioning

Air conditioning may be a simple concept, but it has a lot of benefits that many people are unaware of. Some of the main benefits of air conditioning include:

• Air conditioning units have in-built dehumidifiers which help remove moisture from the air. As they do this, they also take in allergens, such as dust and pollen, helping to make the air cleaner for you to breathe.
• The body needs to maintain an optimum temperature to function properly. Excess heat increases the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, so keeping the environment cool is particularly important as the temperature outside rises.
• Modern air conditioning units have lower noise emissions, making them preferable to opening a window where outside noise might disrupt the workplace.

Air con maintenance

For air conditioning to work effectively, regular maintenance is a must. Air conditioning inspections are a statutory requirement and are the responsibility of the person who controls the system, usually a building manager or owner.

Air conditioning inspections help maintain the efficiency of the system, but they also help to reduce energy consumption – which is better for the environment and your outgoings.

Pre-planned maintenance services ensure your air conditioning units are inspected regularly, preventing interruptions to service, and ensuring that your systems are compliant with government regulations.

Choose phs Compliance for your air conditioning maintenance

At phs Compliance, we provide professional maintenance for your air conditioning systems. We are fully accredited to REFCOM F Gas standards and our HVAC engineers are F-Gas City & Guilds 2079-11 and NVQ level 2 and 3 qualified.

We’re here to help with all your air conditioning maintenance needs. From pre-planned maintenance to reactive works, we can help keep your air conditioning up and running and resolve issues quickly. Our service operates nationwide, and we could help you save up to 30% compared to other maintenance providers.

For more information about air conditioning maintenance, contact phs Compliance today. Our team will be happy to provide you with an instant quote so that you can start benefitting from our services straight away. Take charge of your air conditioning maintenance with phs Compliance.

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