Do Condensers Have to Run to Cool Air in a Split System?

Split Systems

• The condenser coil is located outside in split systems. It works in conjunction with the evaporator coil located inside releasing hot air from the house. Warm air from inside the house hits the evaporator coils, heats the gas inside the coils and forces this pressurized, hot Freon gas into the condenser coils. The condenser heats and condenses the Freon from gas to liquid, a process releases heat into the outside air.

Hot Condenser Air

• It is important that a condenser be located outside away from windows or entryways. Air conditioners, including split systems, do not produce cold air; they remove hot air. The outdoor fan where the condenser is located should be blowing air hotter than the natural outside air. The Freon gas inside the coil may be around 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it passes releases heat outside, it cools to between 85 and 110 F.

Cold Evaporator Air

• The trick of the air conditioner is that it releases hot air from the condenser and cold air through the evaporator. To achieve this, the liquid runs through an expansion device that lowers its density and heat before it enters the evaporator. As Freon leaves the expansion device, it is about 20 F and can now absorb more heat from the house.

Installation

• There are many split-air system types, but they have the same general components. The condenser coil is located outside and works in conjunction with the compressor releasing hot air to the outside. A hole of about 3 inches in diameter should be made connecting the indoor components to the outdoor condenser unit. Indoor components are mounted to the wall or ceiling.