Interactive 3D
Inside a split-system heat pump
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The refrigeration cycle
HVAC doesn't make cold — it moves heat.
An air conditioner is a heat pump running in one direction. Refrigerant circulates in a closed loop, absorbing heat where it evaporates and releasing it where it condenses. Flip a reversing valve and the same system heats your home.
01 · Indoor
Evaporator coil
Cold refrigerant boils inside, pulling heat and moisture from the air blown across it.
02 · Outdoor
Compressor
Pressurises the refrigerant vapour so it becomes hotter than the outside air.
03 · Outdoor
Condenser coil
The fan blows outdoor air across it, carrying the heat away as the refrigerant liquefies.
04 · Indoor
Expansion valve
A controlled pressure drop chills the liquid so the loop can start again.
Want this running in your home?
Our engineers will design a system sized exactly for your space.