A split air conditioner, also known as a ductless or mini-split air conditioner, operates by dividing its components into two main units: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. Here's how it works:
Indoor Unit: The indoor unit is typically installed on a wall or ceiling inside the room you want to cool. It consists of an evaporator coil, a fan, and controls. The indoor unit blows cool air into the room and circulates it.
Outdoor Unit: The outdoor unit is placed outside the building or on a suitable surface. It contains a compressor, a condenser coil, and a fan. The outdoor unit's role is to extract heat from the indoor air and dissipate it outside.
Refrigerant Flow: The two units are connected by refrigerant lines, which circulate a refrigerant, such as R-410A, between them. The refrigerant plays a crucial role in the cooling process. It absorbs heat from the indoor air and releases it outdoors.
Cooling Process: When the air conditioner is turned on, the compressor in the outdoor unit starts working. It compresses the refrigerant, causing its temperature and pressure to rise. This high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant flows to the indoor unit through the refrigerant lines.
Indoor Cooling: Inside the indoor unit, the refrigerant enters the evaporator coil. The warm indoor air from the room is blown over the evaporator coil by the fan. As the air passes over the coil, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the air, cooling it down. The cooled air is then blown back into the room.
Heat Dissipation: The heat absorbed by the refrigerant in the evaporator coil is now carried back to the outdoor unit through the refrigerant lines. The hot refrigerant enters the outdoor unit's condenser coil, which is located outside. The condenser coil is designed to dissipate heat effectively. As the outdoor fan blows air over the condenser coil, the heat from the refrigerant is released to the outdoor environment.
Refrigerant Cycle: Once the heat is removed from the refrigerant, it becomes a cool, low-pressure gas. It then flows back to the indoor unit through the refrigerant lines, and the cycle repeats.
By continuously cycling the refrigerant between the indoor and outdoor units, a split air conditioner can extract heat from indoor air, cool it, and release the heat outside. This process allows the system to provide efficient and localized cooling for specific rooms or areas without the need for ductwork.