The compressor, condenser, evaporator, and expansion valve are the four main components of your car's air conditioning system. Automotive air conditioning works by absorbing heat from the air inside your vehicle and releasing it outside. The refrigerant is a special fluid that absorbs and releases heat by changing states from liquid to gas and back again.
The compressor is a pump that takes the refrigerant from the evaporator, which is a low-pressure, low-temperature liquid, and squeezes it into a high-pressure, high-temperature gas. The condenser is a part of your car that looks like a radiator and sits in front of the radiator. The high-pressure refrigerant is cooled and turned back into a liquid by the condenser. The evaporator is a heat exchanger that is located in your car's passenger area. The low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant is turned back into a gas by the evaporator. It does this by taking heat from the air inside your car. The flow of refrigerant into the evaporator is controlled by the expansion valve.
Your car's air conditioner works in a loop that never stops. The compressor takes the refrigerant from the evaporator, which is under low pressure and at a low temperature, and squeezes it into a high-pressure, high-temperature gas. The high-pressure refrigerant is cooled and turned back into a liquid by the condenser. The liquid refrigerant then flows through the expansion valve, which lowers its pressure and temperature. The low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant then goes into the evaporator, where it takes heat from the air inside your car and turns back into a gas. The gas flows back to the compressor, and the process starts all over again.
The air conditioning in your car is a big part of how comfortable it is. On hot days, it helps you stay cool and comfortable. It also makes the air inside your car less humid, which can help cut down on condensation and mildew.
If your vehicle’s AC isn’t working correctly, it won’t blow cold air, it sputters or has low airflow then you might need to get it serviced. There are a number of issues that can cause poor AC performance like low freon levels, vacuum leaks, bad condensor, or even clogged tubes or hoses. Having a certified technician like the ones at Transmission City & Automotive Specialists inspect your AC system will save you time and money instead of trying to fix it yourself.
