The Refrigeration Cycle

Air conditioners use a vapor compression, refrigeration cycle that transfers heat from a lower temperature source to a higher temperature heat sink.

Heat naturally flows from hot to cold, so work is required to move heat from cold to hot. The work is performed by a compressor driven by an electric motor.

The compressor changes pressure between two compartments in the air conditioner by pumping a refrigerant through a connecting loop.

A package refrigeration loop or circuit consists of a...

1. Compressor
2. Air cooled condenser coil
3. Thermal expansion valve
4. Evaporator coil
5. Return loop