How Does a Refrigerator Work?

oYu use your refrigerator every day to keep your food and drinks fresh and cold. But have you ever wondered how your refrigerator works? How does it manage to keep the inside cool while the outside is warm? What are the main parts of a refrigerator and what do they do? Well, wonder no more, because I’m here to tell you everything you need to know about how a refrigerator works.

A refrigerator works by using a coolant to remove heat from the food items inside and transfer it to the surroundings. The coolant is first compressed by the compressor, which heats it up. The hot coolant is then passed through the condenser coils at the back of the fridge, where the heat is dissipated. The coolant then flows through an expansion device, which lowers its pressure and temperature. The cold coolant then enters the evaporator coils inside the fridge, where it absorbs heat from the air and evaporates. The cycle repeats as the gaseous coolant returns to the compressor.

What Are the Main Parts of a Refrigerator?

A refrigerator has five basic components that work together to create a cooling effect. These are:

• Compressor: The compressor is the heart of a refrigerator. It is a pump that compresses the coolant (also called refrigerant) and pushes it through the system. The compression raises the pressure and temperature of the coolant.
• Condenser: The condenser is a set of coils located at the back or bottom of the fridge. It is where the hot coolant releases its heat to the surrounding air and turns from a gas into a liquid. The condenser may have a fan to help with the heat exchange.
• Expansion device: The expansion device is a valve or a tube that regulates the flow of the coolant into the evaporator. It reduces the pressure and temperature of the coolant, making it ready to absorb heat again.
• Evaporator: The evaporator is another set of coils located inside the fridge or freezer compartment. It is where the cold coolant absorbs heat from the air and food items and turns from a liquid into a gas. The evaporator may also have a fan to circulate the cold air inside the fridge.
• Thermostat: The thermostat is a sensor that monitors the temperature inside the fridge and controls the operation of the compressor. It turns on the compressor when the temperature rises above a set point and turns it off when it reaches a desired level.

How Does a Refrigerator Work Step by Step?

The process of how a refrigerator works can be summarized in four steps:

1. Compression: The compressor compresses the gaseous coolant, increasing its pressure and temperature.
2. Condensation: The hot coolant flows through the condenser coils, where it releases its heat to the surrounding air and turns into a liquid.
3. Expansion: The liquid coolant passes through an expansion device, where it drops its pressure and temperature.
4. Evaporation: The cold coolant enters the evaporator coils, where it absorbs heat from the air and food items and turns into a gas.

FAQs

• What is a coolant or refrigerant? A coolant or refrigerant is a substance that can change its state from gas to liquid and vice versa at low temperatures. It is used in refrigerators to transfer heat from one place to another. Common coolants or refrigerants include ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, or synthetic chemicals called hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).
• How does a freezer work? A freezer works in the same way as a refrigerator, but with lower temperatures and higher pressures. A freezer typically maintains a temperature below 0°F (-18°C), while a refrigerator typically maintains a temperature between 35°F and 40°F (2°C and 4°C).
• How much energy does a refrigerator use? The energy consumption of a refrigerator depends on several factors, such as its size, model, age, efficiency, settings, usage, and ambient temperature. According to Energy Star, an average refrigerator uses about 600 kWh per year, which costs about $80 per year.

Final Thoughts

Now you know how a refrigerator works and what are its main parts. You also know how it uses a coolant to create a cooling effect by changing its state from gas to liquid and back again. By understanding how your refrigerator works, you can appreciate its importance and take better care of it.