How do refrigerators work?

Refrigerators are an essential appliance in modern households, providing a convenient and reliable way to store food and keep it fresh for extended periods. But have you ever wondered how they work?

At the heart of every refrigerator is a cooling system that relies on the principles of thermodynamics. The basic idea is to remove heat from the interior of the fridge and transfer it to the surrounding environment. This is accomplished through a combination of compressors, condensers, and evaporators.

The process starts with a compressor, which is responsible for compressing a refrigerant gas and raising its temperature. The hot gas then flows into a condenser, where it releases heat and cools down. As it cools, it condenses into a liquid.

The liquid refrigerant then flows into an evaporator, which is located in the interior of the fridge. As the liquid refrigerant passes through the evaporator, it absorbs heat from the air inside the fridge and evaporates back into a gas. This cycle repeats, with the compressor constantly pumping refrigerant through the system and removing heat from the fridge.

Refrigerators are incredibly efficient and reliable, but they do require regular maintenance to ensure that they continue to function properly. This includes cleaning the condenser coils, replacing filters, and checking the thermostat settings.