Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning Explained

Are you seriously considering getting reverse-cycle air conditioning installed at your place? Good idea! We all know how hot, humid and downright chilly Queensland can be, which is probably why someone has recommended you go the whole hog and choose reverse cycle heating and cooling over the other alternatives. But what is a reverse cycle air conditioner, exactly?

What is reverse cycle air conditioning?

Cool in summer, flick it in ‘reverse’ and warm in winter, and also:

• Energy efficient: Even if you’ve heard they’re expensive to buy and run, the latest reverse cycle system technologies are extremely energy efficient - and doubly so when you consider it a once-in-decade investment. And when compared to the efficiency of portable electric heaters, it’s not even a contest - reverse cycle systems are THREE TIMES as ‘green’!
• Adaptable & flexible: Thanks to the smart inverter and thermostatic technological advances, your reverse cycle unit will adapt perfectly to the conditions in your home. Think of it like the accelerator on your car, with an automatic foot gently and constantly making the tiny necessary adjustments.
• Two-for-one: Probably the biggest benefit is that you’re buying the most effective cooling air conditioner and an equally-impressive heater in a single unit – and all you need to do to switch between the two is press a button.
• Healthier air: Did you know many modern reverse cycle air conditioners include extremely effective air purifying filter technologies? Say bye-bye to those harmful fine airborne particles!

How does reverse-cycle air conditioning work?

With quiet operations, air filtration and - critical for Queensland - dehumidifying capabilities, reverse cycle air conditioners work is relatively simple. In exploring how reverse-cycle air conditioners work, we’ll need to divide the functions into heating and cooling. But first: What does the reverse cycle mean?

1. Liquid refrigerant enters the cycle via the evaporator.
2. Predictably, the compressor ‘compresses’ low-pressure refrigerant from the evaporator, converting it into a high-pressure gas for the condenser.
3. In its high-pressure state, the condenser’s fan cools the gas before it’s sent back to the evaporator’s refrigerant control valve.
4. The expansion valve reduces the pressure to create low-pressure refrigerant.

We call it a ‘reverse cycle’ because the refrigerant’s flow can be ‘reversed’ - switching between heating and cooling. And it’s a ‘cycle’ because the refrigerant ultimately always returns to the condenser, where the process repeats.

Reverse cycle air conditioner explained

For HEATING, your unit extracts heat energy from the ambient air outside, drawing it inside to be conditioned. It does this by passing the gas through a coil, becoming hotter as it is compressed before being pumped into your home and ducted via a fan. The refrigerant is then cooled, and the ‘cycle’ continues.

For COOLING, a simple press of a button turns those hot Queensland days into a cool and breezy one! Again, heat is extracted from the ambient air, but this time, it is pumped back outside, leaving the cool air to be circulated into your home.

Ask the experts about reverse cycle technology

Your Electrical Expert installs hundreds of reverse cycle air conditioners throughout Brisbane, the Gold Coast and beyond, thanks to our friendly, fully-licensed team of local electricians and air conditioning system installation specialists. With same-day service in most cases, all the best technologies and brands and our famous 100% lifetime workmanship guarantee, we’re standing by right now to help!