How Air Conditioning Works

To beat the summer heat, we turn to air conditioning. But that sweet, cool relief isn’t magic: it’s the science of heat transfer and the chemistry of refrigerants.

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Credits:
Producer: Sean Parsons
Writer: Alexa Billow
Scientific Consultants: Michelle Boucher, PhD; Rick Wormsbecher, PhD
Executive Producer: George Zaidan
Fact Checker: Alison Le

Music:
"Backbay Lounge," by Kevin MacLeod

Sources:

Ever wonder why dogs sniff each others' butts? Or how Adderall works? Or whether it's OK to pee in the pool? We've got you covered: Reactions a web series about the chemistry that surrounds you every day.

Produced by the American Chemical Society.

[Zachariahfml]

I'm a certified HVAC tech. I found your explanation pretty comprehensive. Although the coloring on the diagram you used was a bit misleading.

[latteARCH]

So is refrigerant like reusable sweat?

[marek-marcosvetevool]

i would say its more of physics than chemistry

[MajinTalon]

You did a way better job of explaining this then the last video I seen.

[DarthVader-hlro]

Can't live without air conditioners! They've become absolute necessities of modern life.

[Zachariahfml]

Also I would consider it physics as well. It's more thermodynamics than anything else. I highly doubt us adopting CO2 for a few reasons, CO2 requires much higher operating pressures due to it being a supercritical liquid, basically CO2 only likes being in 1 of 2 states gas or a solid, unless its compressed to mind numbing pressures. With practical and conventional methods and materials it's not totally achievable. Then again I've went from seeing the rocket shuttle landing on a runway to seeing them land on the launchpad they started at. So who knows. Just my 2 cents for whatever they're worth

[amitsarjaikaran]

So turn my ac backwards if I want heat and all the cool air out lol

[menace]

This is the best explanation on YouTube on how the system works

[UnholyFilth]

It’s 4am, I’m high and have the ac on so I was curious to how it works, great video

[ShadowReaper-puhx]

Many people aren’t content with the modern world and complain, but I am very impressed by “old” technology like this.

[saikrish]

This is one of the best explanations I ever heard ! ⭐

[吉米-fw]

i didn't understand a single thing :)

[tysloo]

CO2 need higher pressure, not a good candidate

[A.....]

Your explanation is very good and funny 🤣

[zam]

Great video. Ended up learning even more.

[irwainnornossa]

The great irony with AC is that you're actually making more heat.
One more reason to hate laws of thermodynamics.

[alexb]

Humans: Move heat from my sweaty bedroom to outside where it's hot and miserable already. Who cares?
The Environment: And I took that personally...

[BlueyChandler]

Good content, a lot more involved than what I thought.

[burttschell]

Had ac problems today. My dad talked me through it and I fixed it. So had to look up how Ac worked out of curiosity. Been crawling around in attic working. I’ll admit, drank some beer too. Either I’m drunk, or this explanation isn’t great.

[misskobeyoshi]

So when its winter is the process reversed? When you want heat?