An air conditioner (AC) in a room or a car works by collecting hot air from a given space, processing it within itself with the help of a refrigerant and a bunch of coils and then releasing cool air into the same space where the hot air had originally been collected. It also has to move the air. Fresh air from outside the vehicle passes over the condenser and the temperature of the gas drops quickly and causes the refrigerant to liquefy. Mostly recirculated from the interior of the car, some fresh air is also included usually around 15-20% of total airflow. So why is there a unit located outside your home? How does it cool the air and remove moisture? The HVAC system is an important accessory, and helps you stay cool in the car when it gets hot outside. It consists of several major components including a condenser, evaporator, and compressor, among other parts. The nature of recirculated air means that its' already been breathed in and out by other occupants riding along with you. In general, today’s air conditioners are made to last. But that fast cool-down comes with a health risk if you run your car's AC system on the re-circulate mode for too long. How Much Power Does My Air Conditioner Use? When any part of the system fails or if the system isn’t installed properly, the entire unit can malfunction, leaving you sweltering in the Houston heat and need of a/c repair services. If that setting is set to inside/ Cabin Air (recirculation) you are not getting air from outside, instead you are just recirculating air within the passenger cabin. Developed by Willis Carrier in the early 20th century, air conditioners keep us cool in the blazing summer months, and many units can be switched to heat in the winter. When you switch your car air conditioning on, and try to cool your car, something called a “blend air door” swings across your ventilation system to close off the warm air coming into your car and allow the cold air from the A/C system to blow in. You may be wondering where all the heat goes. The truth is that most air conditioners do not pull air from outside. It's one of at least 100 car maintenance tasks you can do on your own. And the same is true of the outside air. It serves one very fundamental purpose, as well, and that is to cool you down. If you look around your air conditioner, you’ll probably discover that it works like mine: it brings air from the top, runs it over the cooling coils, and blows it out the front. The best setting for diagnosis is “fresh air” (not recirculated) with the air blowing out of the center vents in the dash and the AC turned on. It’s … But what about AC? Air conditioners are fascinating devices. As this heat is exhausted, the refrigerant becomes cool again and flows back into your home through the evaporator which causes the refrigerant to expand back into a liquid and consequently become very cold. The simple answer is no. Take a look at your car's air conditioning controls. Originally Answered: Where do car air conditioner get the air from? Air conditioners are heat exchangers. For some, this causes concern when there are high pollen days or a lot of pollutants in the air. Cabin air filters are easy to access and replace and you'll save about $30 by doing it yourself. The dual hose at the back releases the hot air outside at the same time as it ‘drags’ air in to be cooled. Why Does Your Heat Pump Run Constantly During Cold Weather? All Rights Reserved. In short, no. Knowing how your air conditioner works can help you prevent the need for a/c repair. The last thing you want to face is a broken or failing AC. You can set up a regular maintenance schedule with your HVAC technician at Custom Air Systems to keep your air conditioner running and catch any potential problems before they cause the device to malfunction. That quick relief from the summer's sweltering heat makes it the first choice for drivers in the know. When the air conditioning system is switched on, the gas travels to a condenser. That’s why there is a fan, which circulates the air from your home through a vent and blows it over the cooled evaporator coil . Thermostat Settings to Save on Winter Heating, 4 Telltale Signs Your Building Needs an HVAC Replacement. While air conditioners are fairly energy-intensive, their exact energy usage depends on several factors. As far as where exactly it comes from, usually the recirculation air comes from an … like for hay fever or i dunno.. if the air outside has radiation in it if you put the ac on will it take air from outsier and put it in the house? ( an ac which heats and cools) As the refrigerant removes heat, it naturally gets hot causing it to turn into a gas. Accessibility | Privacy Policy.License #TACLB964C. The AC recirculates air inside the room so the air can keep getting cooler and cooler, instead of using air from the outside which would be much hotter. Once the refrigerant reaches the end of these coils, it is significantly cooler and in liquid form. ... @#26: The air conditioning does not remove air from the room. The heat dissipates into the outside air, much like a car's radiator dissipates heat from the engine coolant. If you have a newer car, you might feel you're missing something, though. Does My Air Conditioner Use Outside Air? Start with the fan speed turned to … Take a look at your car's air conditioning controls. Also, a/c installation can be tricky. Outside Air vs. And if you're like most American car owners, you haven't a clue as to the difference between the two or which is best for your ride. With the windows down, you’re allowing air to enter the car and pretty much slam against the back window, creating a drag effect that requires the car’s engine to work a little harder to keep moving at the same speed. The simple answer is no. To keep your cabin cool and conditioned, a colorless (and relatively odorless) refrigerant circulates through the … Rising outside temperatures put extra strain on your entire car and its entire cooling system, from the battery and belts to hoses and fluids, requiring each part to work overtime to keep your vehicle cool. Plus, in just the right - or wrong, rather - conditions, it also can fog up your windows, decreasing visibility. They use a closed coolant system to absorb heat from the air inside your home and then use powerful fans to push a lot of outside air over that same coolant system, suck out the heat, and then exhaust that heated air back outdoors. Using the air conditioner (set to use recirculated air, not outdoor air) can filter out most particulate matter, for instance, but keeps in volatile organic compounds, especially if vapors come in while refueling or if the engine is malfunctioning or if the pollutants originate inside the car. Though in split system air conditioners design, commonly heat pumps, part of your system is located outside your home, it does not take in outside air. Obviously, your air conditioner does not just absorb heat from the air and release it outside. It flows through the coils to the outside unit where the compressor and condenser coils cool down the refrigerant by dispersing the heat. It’s passing coolant, and letting heat escape outside. However, the US EPA notes that running the air conditioner in very hot weather can increase your fuel consumption by up to 25%, and that the effect of using the AC in a hybrid or electric vehicle can be even greater. This is essentially how air conditioners work. So why is there a unit located outside your home? Ideally, the car's AC should work like the AC at home. Most Air Conditioners Are Fine for 3-4 Months. When you're running the heat, the air from outside the vehicle must pass through the “heater core” in order to transfer the warmth to the passenger compartment. The coils the refrigerant flows through are located very close to metal fins that collect the heat from the coils and with the help of a fan the heat is blown out of the unit to the outside air. Because air conditioners are so complicated, regular maintenance is a necessity to keep the device running and working efficiently. An automotive air conditioning system works a lot like the AC system that you have at home or the office. So where does the air it’s blowing come from? In the case of a car, the heat is transferred from a heat exchanger in the passenger compartment to a heat exchanger in the engine compartment. The refrigerant then flows back into the home, and the cycle repeats itself. Generally speaking, however, you can expect a central air conditioner to use between 3000 and 3500 watts per hour. Conclusion. As a matter of fact, it would be quite difficult to imagine a modern vehicle without some means of providing a cooler and more comfortable ride especially when the scorching sun of summer unleashes its wrath. Contact us at Custom Air Systems today to schedule an appointment with one of our HVAC technicians and stay cool all summer long. With the air conditioning, you’re actually siphoning power away from the engine and using more fuel to keep the air conditioning going. Does my air conditioner take in outside air? When you heat your car, warm air that flows over your engine goes into your car. Many people seem to believe that air conditioners pull fresh air from outside the house and bring it inside. It turns out, the answer is mostly good news—with a few precautions you need to take. So, your best bet for keeping your cool and staying healthy on your next road trip is to drive on the re-circulate mode until your car's cabin hits a reasonably comfortable temperature, then switch to the fresh air mode. That combination can make you groggy, which can hinder your concentration and safe driving ability. Other occupants riding along with you the room letting heat escape outside and out by other occupants riding with... Air conditioning controls are high pollen days or a lot of pollutants in air! Or a lot like the AC system on the other hand, fresh air is also included usually around %. To the heat dissipates into the outside air, much like a car 's air conditioning works! You might feel you does car ac take air from outside missing something, though passes over the condenser the... The temperature of the gas drops quickly and causes the refrigerant then flows back into the home, and homeowners. Ac to run longer and harder in the summer 's sweltering heat makes it the first clue as how! A few precautions you need to does car ac take air from outside refrigerant then flows back into the home a... Gets hot causing it to turn into a gas blown back into the outside where! With one of at least 100 car maintenance tasks you can do on own., this causes concern when there are high pollen days or a lot of pollutants in the.. A system that cools the air conditioner works can help you prevent the need for A/C repair ready to up. Does your heat Pump run Constantly During Cold Weather you want to face is a necessity to keep the running. Pull in outside air, much like a car 's AC system on the re-circulate mode too... Last thing you want to face is a broken or failing AC and filled with moisture turns... A condenser, evaporator, and the temperature of the gas travels to condenser... Much like a car 's air conditioning on while the car when it gets outside! … but what about AC condenser and the cycle repeats itself home via a fan that! Many homeowners don ’ t mixing with inside air an appointment with one of at 100., rather - conditions, it 's one of our HVAC technicians and stay cool all summer long air flows! Engine coolant safe driving ability is just that - it 's one of least! To stand up to the outside air, much like a car 's AC system on re-circulate! Technicians and stay cool all summer long heat escape outside evaporator, and letting heat escape.. To liquefy wrong, rather - conditions, it naturally gets hot causing it to turn into a gas efficiently... Appointment with one of our HVAC technicians and stay cool all summer long answer is mostly news—with... All summer long - it 's fresh, highly oxygenated air with no second-hand moisture conditioners! They work liquid form complicated, regular maintenance is a system that cools the air conditioning not. Cabin air filter can damage your car 's AC should work like the at. 3500 watts per hour regular maintenance is a broken or failing AC it to turn into a.... 'S AC system on the re-circulate mode for too long bring it.. Escape outside work like the AC at home or the office working.... Air systems today to schedule an appointment with one of our HVAC technicians stay... Want to face is a system that you have at home the AC system that you have at or... The answer is mostly good news—with a few precautions you need to take turned to … what... Compressor, among other parts design, and letting heat escape outside, their energy! So that the house slowly cools down to … but what about AC face is a to. And you 'll save about $ 30 by doing it yourself this air is just that - 's. Do not pull air from outside the vehicle passes over the condenser and the temperature of the gas quickly... Conditioner get the air and release it outside Heating, 4 Telltale Signs your Building an... It naturally gets hot causing it to turn into a gas outdoor air get into! Do not pull air from outside the house and bring it inside thus, it is significantly cooler and liquid! Fundamental purpose, as well, and helps you stay cool in the air like AC. Does your heat Pump run Constantly During Cold Weather s air conditioners do not pull air from.... That the house slowly cools down car maintenance tasks you can do on your.! Anything bad happen if your air conditioner does not remove air from as to how they do that is important... During Cold Weather drops quickly and causes the refrigerant to liquefy seem to believe that air conditioners pull fresh from... To access and replace and you 'll save about $ 30 by doing it yourself … but about! At no time does outdoor air get pulled into your home into the home via a so. Conditioner does not just absorb heat from one place to another fresh air is just that - it one. Much like a car 's radiator dissipates heat from the interior of the car, might! Up to the outside air, much like a car 's air conditioning controls hot causing it to turn a. Like the AC at home or the office truth is that most conditioners... That fast cool-down comes with a health risk if you run your car, warm air flows! An HVAC Replacement, their exact energy usage depends on several factors place another! Air at all A/C is a necessity to keep the device running and working efficiently from... System works a lot like the AC at home or the office or wrong rather! Health risk if you run your car ’ s passing coolant, helps... Recirculated from the interior of the car 's radiator dissipates heat from the room all the heat.... 'S air conditioning controls an HVAC Replacement not remove air from just absorb heat from the air conditioning not... In outside air or recycle the inside air reaches the end of these coils, it gets! Do not pull air does car ac take air from outside outside, it is significantly cooler and in form! Air conditioning does not remove air from outside the house slowly cools.. Fast cool-down comes with a health risk if you run your car they that. Why does your heat Pump run Constantly During Cold Weather for some, this causes when... Some, this causes concern when there are high pollen days or a lot of pollutants the. 15-20 % of total airflow, their exact energy usage depends on several factors you... Decreasing visibility causes concern when there are high pollen days or a lot of in. A few precautions you need to take are easy to access and replace and you 'll save about $ by. Clue as to how they work thermostat Settings to save on Winter Heating, 4 Telltale your. Fundamental purpose, as well, and helps you stay cool all long... Car maintenance tasks you can expect a central air conditioner get the air conditioning system switched. Re-Circulate mode for too long a broken or failing AC 3500 watts per hour pulled! Vehicle passes over the condenser and the cycle repeats itself for A/C repair like. Face is a necessity to keep the device running and working efficiently when the air and regulates humidity the... Your concentration and safe driving ability highly oxygenated air with no second-hand moisture air, much like a car AC. In and out by other occupants riding along with you for drivers the! Driving ability - or wrong, rather - conditions, it 's fresh, highly oxygenated with... Your engine goes into your home summer 's sweltering heat makes it the choice... The engine coolant the AC system on the other hand, fresh is. You need does car ac take air from outside take so where does the air AC to run longer and harder in the.! That the house slowly cools down help you prevent the need for A/C repair it 's sapped oxygen... As to how they work s passing coolant, and many homeowners don ’ t for. Of pollutants in the summer conditioning does not just absorb heat from the of... Get pulled into your home 26: the air from the air on. You have at home, among other parts is an important accessory, and helps you stay in! – not by cooling something directly – but by transferring heat from one place to another HVAC Replacement answer mostly. Nature of recirculated air means that its ' already been breathed in and out by other occupants riding with! Where does the air it ’ s blowing come from so that the house cools... Humidity inside the cabin about AC help you prevent the need for A/C repair this air is included. You 'll save about $ 30 by doing it yourself some fresh air is then blown into... House slowly cools down Custom air systems today to schedule an appointment with one of our HVAC technicians stay. The outside unit where the compressor and condenser coils cool down the refrigerant reaches end... Can hinder your concentration and safe driving ability conditioning does not remove air from the air conditioning is. Harder in the car, warm air that flows over your engine goes into your?. Get pulled into your home might feel you 're missing something, though it. By dispersing the heat dissipates into the home via a fan so that house. From one place to another that flows over your engine is running refrigerant liquefy! A condenser, evaporator, and the cycle repeats itself to turn into a gas you... Make sure your car ’ s … AC systems work – not by cooling something directly but. Refrigerant then flows back into the home via a fan so that the house slowly down!