Most people believe that a freezer works by blowing cold air onto their ice cream and other frozen foods. However, the actual science behind all this is much more interesting than that. The freezer does not generate cold air since coldness is the absence of heat. Heat transfer is what keeps everything frozen.

The Magic of Evaporation and Expansion

Refrigerant is the backbone of this process. This chemical flows in a never-ending loop. Refrigerant is special because it has a very low boiling point. This means it can turn from a liquid into a gas even at temperatures that would feel freezing to us. As the liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator coils inside the freezer walls, it passes through a tiny hole called an expansion valve. This sudden drop in pressure causes the liquid to spread out and evaporate into a gas. This change in state requires energy. The refrigerant gets that energy by sucking the heat right out of all the frozen foods stored inside.

The Workhorse of the System

After the refrigerant soaks up the heat, it leaves your freezer in the form of a cool gas. The compressor squeezes the gas tightly. This forces the molecules together until they become very hot and high pressured. This is why you feel warm air behind your freezer. When the gas gets hotter than the air in the surroundings, a situation occurs that encourages the heat to escape from the freezer into the kitchen.

Releasing Heat and Starting Over

The hot, high-pressure gas then flows into the condenser coils. You can normally find these components on the back of the unit or underneath it. Since the air in your kitchen surrounding the coils is much cooler, the heat in the pipes dissipates. After losing heat, the gas becomes liquid again. Then, it returns to the expansion valve to start the process all over.

Insulation and the Final Chill

Insulation also plays a vital role, as it keeps the cold air from escaping the freezer and the heat from leaking inside. This insulation is constructed from a foam layer. Without it, the compressor will have to run constantly, and this will make your electric bill sky high.

While the science of how freezers work is fascinating, you must schedule routine maintenance for it to continue functioning optimally. An appliance specialist will thoroughly look over all components and clear out any dust and debris that may interfere with its operation. To schedule an inspection for your freezer in Fayetteville, AR, reach out to the team at Natural State Appliance Repair.