How do HVAC compressors work?
In: Engineering
When the pressure of a gas drops its thermal energy is spread out, thus making the temperature lower. So you pressurize the gas first and then use a heat exchanger to make it the same temperature as the outside air. When that gas is pumped inside to a second heat exchanger the pressure is allowed to drop back to normal making is several degrees colder than whatever the temperature outside is.
This is why an air conditioning system may not seem to work so well on a really hot day, as the temperature the system gives you is always related to the temperature outside. Typically you can see an AC system aceive a temperature of 20-30°F below the outside temp but not much more. And overworking a system can cause humidity to condense on the heat echanger on the unit and freeze over and block airflow even further reducing its ability to cool.
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