How Do Portable Air Conditioners Work?
- Author Jeremy Smith
- Published March 20, 2010
- Word count 456
Portable Air Conditioners Don't Produce Cold
Heaters work by manufacturing heat. This heat could come from a gas flame, an electrical element or the natural heat of the sun. The heat comes from somewhere, such as the chemical bonds that break as natural gas burns. Heaters inject energy into the system, which makes them functional in any environment.
Central and portable air conditioners work on a different principle. You can't "create" cold. Cold is the absence of energy and there is no efficient way to make energy disappear or go into a dormant form. Instead, portable air conditioners move the heat to another place. Ideally, they move the heat outside where it is no longer a problem for people inside the building.
The Refrigeration Cycle Explained
Portable air conditioners take advantage of the fact that when a liquid evaporates into a gas it absorbs heat and when a gas condenses back into a liquid it releases heat. This allows the fluid to act as a sort of energy sponge, soaking up heat in one place then squeezing it out in another. They use special refrigerant fluids developed for the purpose that evaporate and condense at temperatures close to room temperature.
The liquid refrigerant flows through an expansion valve into a lower pressure area of the system. The lower pressure makes it cold. Warm air from the room is blown across the pipes carrying the cold liquid, cooling the air that is blown into the room. As the liquid absorbs heat from the air, it evaporates into a gas. The gas goes through a compressor that makes it warmer. The compressed gas goes through the condenser where it releases its heat. Air blown across the condenser is exhausted outside the room carrying the heat with it. The gas condenses back into liquid and is back at the expansion valve to start the cycle over.
Side Effects of the Refrigeration Cycle
The most obvious difference between portable air conditioners and portable heaters is the air conditioners need a place to vent the undesired air. Exhaust hoses allow the hot air to be blown outside or into the building's drop ceiling, preventing it from returning to the room. Proper exhausting of the air conditioner is critical for efficient operation.
Another characteristic of portable air conditioners is they produce water. Air holds moisture -- and the amount of moisture that can be held is based on temperature. Hot air carries more moisture than cool air. As the air cools, the excess moisture condenses out. Typically this is not a lot of moisture but it can build up over time.
Once building managers understand how portable air conditioners work, they can set them up so they run as efficiently as possible.
Author is a freelance writer. For more information on portable air conditioners please visit http://www.coldair.net.
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- Vintage Bohemian Charm: Creating a Home Office Retreat
- Embrace the Maximalist Decor : Unleash Your Boldest Dreams
- Fall rustic farmhouse décor with vintage doors and earthy woods
- The Premier Lighting Stores in Brampton, Caledon, and Mississauga: Illuminate Your Space with Style and Precision
- A Brighter, Cleaner Workspace: The Importance of Commercial Cleaning in Auckland
- Antique Doors in a Spanish Modern Home
- Rustic Modern Mountain Cabins Decor
- Why Insulate Your Crawl Space?
- How to Choose the Best Home Renovation Contractor
- All Seasons Cleaning Services: A Top Choice for Tree Removal
- Is Professional Roof Cleaning Worth It? Absolutely.
- Transform Your Property with All Seasons Cleaning Services: A Guide to Our Exterior Painting Process
- A Closer Look at Our 5-Step Exterior Window Cleaning Process - All Seasons Cleaning Services
- The Pros and Cons of Exterior Window Cleaning: Is It Worth the Effort?
- Why Pressure Washing is Essential to Avoid Slippery Sidewalks
- What time of year should you clean your roof?
- How to create Interiors with a Soul
- Antique Doors, Vintage doors with Old Souls
- Bedroom Barn Doors
- Curate Vintage Rustic Charm for your Patio
- How Tri-State Ready Restoration Prepares for the Upcoming Hurricane Season
- 5 Tips for Keeping Your House Warmer in Winter
- Transform Your Kitchen: The Elegance of Premium Cookware and Appliances
- The Benefits Of Installing Solar Panels On Your Home
- Buying a Dream Home in Oakville | Preserve Oakville
- Useful Tips to Harness The Solar Power to Make It Worth in The Virgin Islands
- Embrace Moody Maximalism: Unleashing Rich, Bold Interiors
- Enhance Your Bedroom with Sliding Barn Doors
- A Master’s Hands Launches a New Website to Benefit Customers
- Essex Air Conditioning: Enhancing Comfort and Efficiency Across Essex County