Air Conditioner Condenser - How An Air Conditioner Condenser Works

If you have an air conditioner at home, you have probably been asked about the air conditioner condenser. It is usually located outdoors on a concrete slab. The AC condenser usually holds in it a fan, a heated coil and fins. The condenser receives hot pressurized gas from the compressor, and the job of the air conditioner condenser is simply cool that gas. This gas comes from the indoors of a building through the air ducts and evaporator coil. The gas is then directed to the air conditioner compressor which squeezes the gas so hard that it increases its pressure and temperature. This makes the gas leaving the compressor to be at a high pressure and very hot. The air conditioner compressor contains a cylinder which has a piston in it. The piston moves up and down, drawing in the refrigerant gas on the down stoke and then compressing the gas on the upstroke. Most residential air conditioners have their air conditioner compressor combined into a single unit which is sealed.

But enough about me, yes, I am a compressor. Don’t even ask its long story. Plus I am here to talk about the conditioner, not myself. The air conditioner condenser fan is responsible for cooling the gas by blowing out heat from the gas which is then liquefied and cycled back into the building. The hot gas is very sensitive to fluctuations in temperature because it has a low boiling point. This therefore means when heat is blown out of the gas, its molecules condense to liquid form.

Air conditioner condensers vary widely in size all depending on the size of the building and the area that is being air conditioned. Residential houses normally have their condensers roughly the size of a trash can. Industries, shopping malls and other sizable buildings have an air conditioner condenser of a much bigger size.

The air conditioner compressor is located outdoors a previously stated. Residential homes have their compressor in the back yard. Industries, warehouses and multi-storey buildings on the other hand usually have their air conditioner condensers on the roof.

It is important to keep your air conditioner well maintained to receive the best performance from it. Since, the air conditioner condenser is located outdoors; it is more likely to get damaged due to exposure. A few things can be done in order to keep your air conditioner condenser in top condition. First, clear the areas around the condenser. Make sure there is no grass or anything that can obstruct the condenser. Also make sure it is always clean and in addition, perform regular inspections and repairs.

Air Conditioner Condenser - How An Air Conditioner Condenser Works