How Does Auto Air Conditioning Work?

How Does Auto Air Conditioning Work?

You might look at the air conditioning Compressor as the heart of the air conditioning system in your car. In essence, the AC Compressor performs for the system the same function that your heart does in your body — it provides the circulation of a precious fluid, the refrigerant, through the air conditioning system.

The compressor also compresses the refrigerant from a gaseous state to a fluid state, sending it to the Condenser that acts as a "heat-exchanger" removing the heat from the refrigerant. From there, the refrigerant goes to an Expansion Valve or "orifice tube," where it returns to its gaseous state.

An accumulator removes moisture from the refrigerant, and it is then transferred to the Evaporator in the cabin of your vehicle, usually under the dash. There the cold refrigerant cools the air that passes by and through the Evaporator, which resembles a small radiator. The cooler, drier air is then sent out the vents into the interior of your car via a fan. Ah, no sweat.