How Do Air-cons Work?

Home Heating and Cooling Services in Canberra

Air conditioners and refrigerators are very similar in how they work. The difference being that the air conditioner cools much larger areas.

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The Science Behind Air Conditioning


The main active component in refrigeration is a chemical that easily converts from gas to liquid and back again. This refrigerant gas is the vehicle by which the hot air inside a room or building is discharged or “exchanged” into the outside air.

The three main components involved in heat exchange process:


  • A compressor
  • A condenser 
  • An evaporator

How These Components Work Together


The compressor and condenser will most often be situated in a unit outside the building, whilst the evaporator is located inside the indoor unit. The gas inside the system is pressurised by the electrically driven compressor converting it into a high-temperature liquid. This hot liquid passes into the condenser unit, which is being cooled by the system’s exhaust fan, and metal radiator fins that can dissipate heat over a wider surface area.


As the liquefied gas passes through the condenser, it is drastically cooled. This cooled liquid then passes through the evaporator in the indoor unit via a tiny inlet (venturi). Here, it rapidly expands back into a gas and acts to remove heat from the evaporator unit causing it to cool significantly. Air then passes through the evaporator by the fan and is cooled as it is blown into the room or other space.

Daikin — Fyshwick, ACT — Bell-Air Air Conditioning Pty Ltd

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We are the air conditioning experts in the ACT. For all types of commercial and residential A/C installations, please call us now on

02 6233 8990
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