A condenser in an air conditioner (AC) is an essential component responsible for removing heat from the indoor air and releasing it outside. It works by facilitating the transfer of heat energy from the refrigerant gas to the surrounding environment.
To understand how a condenser works, let's briefly go through the basic functioning of an AC system. ACs operate on the principle of refrigeration, which involves the circulation of a refrigerant—a special type of fluid that can absorb and release heat easily. The refrigerant flows through a closed-loop system comprising four main components: the compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator.
When you switch on your AC, the compressor draws the low-pressure refrigerant gas from the indoor unit and compresses it, raising its temperature and pressure. This hot, high-pressure gas then moves into the condenser, which is typically located outside the building. The condenser consists of a network of coils or tubes with fins to increase surface area.
As the hot refrigerant gas enters the condenser, it releases heat to the surrounding outdoor air. The heat transfer occurs through a combination of conduction (direct contact between the coils and the air), convection (airflow over the coils), and radiation (emission of heat waves). This process causes the refrigerant gas to cool down and undergo a phase change, transforming it into a high-pressure, high-temperature liquid.
The condenser fan helps enhance the airflow over the condenser coils, promoting efficient heat dissipation. As the refrigerant condenses into a liquid state, it flows into the expansion valve, which reduces its pressure. This pressure reduction causes the refrigerant to evaporate and absorb heat from the indoor air passing over the evaporator coils. The cool air is then distributed back into the room, while the refrigerant, now in a low-pressure, low-temperature gaseous state, returns to the compressor to restart the cycle.
Now, moving on to your second question about fridges or coolers: these appliances also use a similar refrigeration cycle to maintain low temperatures inside. The reason they don't get hot inside, despite the presence of heat outside, is due to the insulation and the specific design of the system.
Refrigerators and coolers are well-insulated, meaning they have thick walls and insulation materials that prevent heat transfer between the inside and outside. The insulation helps maintain a temperature difference, keeping the interior cool while the external heat is unable to penetrate.
Moreover, the condenser of a refrigerator or cooler is usually located on the back or bottom of the appliance, where it is exposed to the surrounding environment. Heat is dissipated efficiently from the condenser coils, and the refrigerant is cooled down, preventing any significant increase in temperature inside the unit.
In summary, the condenser in an air conditioner releases heat from the refrigerant to the outdoor environment, while the insulation and specific design of refrigerators and coolers prevent the transfer of heat from the outside to the inside, allowing them to maintain a cool temperature.