Air Conditioning: How It Works

Short: Air conditioners cool rooms by transporting heat outside using a refrigerant, similar to a refrigerator but reversed to open toward the room. The basic principle relies on evaporating and compressing a refrigerant in a cycle.

In more detail: Most modern air conditioners can also heat in reverse mode by simply reversing the cycle.

In detail

• Evaporator in the room: In the indoor unit, the refrigerant evaporates and draws heat from the room air, cooling it down.
• Compressor and condenser: The compressor raises the pressure of the gaseous refrigerant, which condenses in the outdoor unit and releases the absorbed heat outside.
• Dehumidification as a side effect: As it cools, air humidity also condenses on the evaporator, so air conditioners additionally dehumidify room air.
• Split air conditioners: The indoor and outdoor units are separate and connected by lines, which is quieter and more efficient than monoblock units.
• Monoblock units: Mobile units with an exhaust hose are easier to install but less efficient and noisier in operation.
• Energy efficiency classes: Modern devices with high efficiency ratings consume significantly less electricity for the same cooling output than older models.
• Proper use: A temperature difference of no more than six degrees from the outside temperature saves energy and prevents health-straining temperature shocks (waermepumpe, luftentfeuchter-und-luftbefeuchter).