Believe it or not, your car’s air conditioner (AC) works like your home’s AC. The main difference is that your car AC compresses and cools the refrigerant much faster than a household unit. Here’s a look at how your car AC works and some tips for keeping it in top shape.
The Components of Your Car AC
Your car AC has five essential components: a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, an expansion valve and the refrigerant. Now let’s look at how all the components work together to cool the air in your car.
The Compressor
The compressor is the heart of your car’s AC. It’s a pump that compresses the refrigerant so it can be cooled and then circulated through the AC system. The compressor is powered by a belt that’s connected to the engine.
The Condenser
The condenser is located in front of the radiator and looks like a small radiator itself. The condenser takes the hot, high-pressure refrigerant from the compressor and cools it off. This process turns the refrigerant from a gas to a liquid.
The Evaporator
The evaporator is located behind the dash and looks like a small radiator. The evaporator takes the cold, low-pressure liquid refrigerant from the condenser and turns it back into a gas. As the refrigerant evaporates, it absorbs heat from the air in the car, cooling it down.
The Expansion Valve
The expansion valve regulates the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator. It allows just enough refrigerant to evaporate and cool the air in your car.
The Refrigerant
The refrigerant is a special fluid that helps cool the air in your car. It’s what circulates through the AC system, absorbing heat and then releasing it. The refrigerant is what makes your car AC work.
How Your Car AC Works
Now that you know how your car AC works, let’s look at how the system works. When you turn on your car AC, the compressor starts running and pumps the refrigerant through the system. The refrigerant first goes to the condenser, which cools off and turns into a liquid. From there, it goes to the expansion valve, where it’s regulated and then sent to the evaporator.
The evaporator is where the magic happens. As the refrigerant evaporates, it absorbs heat from the air in your car, cooling it down. The now-cool air is then circulated through your vehicle by the blower motor. And that’s how your car AC works!
Tips for Keeping Your Car AC in Top Shape
Now that you know how your car AC works, here are a few tips for keeping it in top shape:
- Have the system checked for leaks. A leaky AC system will cause the refrigerant to escape and will decrease the efficiency of your AC.
- Clean or replace the cabin air filter regularly. A dirty cabin air filter will restrict airflow and reduce the efficiency of your AC.
- Inspect the drive belts regularly. The compressor is powered by a belt that’s connected to the engine. If the belt is loose or worn, it could break and cause your AC to stop working.
- Have your car AC serviced regularly by a qualified technician. This will help ensure your AC is in top shape and operating efficiently.
Following these tips can help keep your car AC in top shape and cool all year. If you have questions or want to schedule an AC Service for your vehicle, contact the ASE Certified Mechanics at Metro Transmission today. Our award-winning staff will gladly answer your questions or schedule your next automotive AC service today!
