Condenser vs. Compressor: What Are the Key Differences?

Though most of us are not seasoned HVAC technicians (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning technicians), “compressor” and “condenser”, or are terms you’ve probably heard before. These two features play essential roles in an auto air conditioning system and come standard in almost every new vehicle nowadays.
Most car owners or enthusiasts can’t distinguish between a car’s air conditioner compressor and condenser and don’t understand how these essential parts work. However, knowing how these devices function can help you optimize performance. A poorly functioning car air compressor or condenser can negatively affect your effective miles per gallon, thus costing you extra dollars on fuel.
That said, this post will examine key differences between these components and their roles in enhancing the car's air conditioning system. 

What Is an Air Conditioning Compressor?
 

As the name suggests, a compressor squeezes or pumps under high pressure, a gas often referred to as refrigerant, through the system in a closed circuit. This causes the compressed refrigerant to increase in temperature. 

How Does a Compressor Work?
 

The compressor, often referred to as the “heart” of the air conditioning system, sucks in a warm, low-pressure gas, pressurizes, and discharges it as a hot, high-pressure gas to the condenser. 
The compression process is necessary for the refrigerant to flow smoothly and dissipate its heat through the condenser's coils. It needs to be heated to a temperature higher than the outside air. The refrigerant flows through the lines and is converted back into liquid form in the condenser cooling coils.

 

Common Types of Air Conditioner Compressor
 

A compressor is run by the engine via a belt drive. They are available in various types and sizes. 
1.Reciprocating: This type of air compressor uses piston displacement to compress refrigerant gas. The rotary motion of the crankshaft causes the upward and downward displacement of pistons inside cylinders. This creates a vacuum which then sucks in refrigerant vapor, compresses, and delivers it into the condenser.
2.Rotary: As the name suggests, rotary compressors rely on rotary motion to compress refrigerant gas.
3.Scroll: Scroll air compressors utilize a spiral mechanism to compress refrigerant.
ProTip Takeaway: Without AC compressor and components kits, your car’s air conditioning system would never work. This device ensures that the refrigerant gas absorbs excess heat from the car’s interior and releases or dissipates it to the outside, thus the cooling process.

What Is an Air Conditioning Condenser?
 

Once the air compressor has applied energy to the gas, high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant flows to the condenser. Here, the condenser extracts pressure from refrigerant gas and transforms it into liquid vapor. In other words, the acts like a heat sink by releasing excess heat that the refrigerant gas has got rid of the car’s interior.

 

How Does a Condenser Work?

In a car’s air conditioning system, the condenser is located at the front of the car. Like the car’s radiator, the condenser has thin metal fins to cool the refrigerant gas by the air flow over it. 
As the refrigerant gas travels through the condenser coils, the condenser fan supplies cool air, causing the gas to condense back into a cold, liquid state.  The refrigerant flows then into the expansion valve or evaporator coils to start the next stage of cooling again.
The compressor and condenser work together to produce the cool air you feel from your car’s air conditioning.

Related Reading: Car Scanner with Air Conditioning Check Function

Types of Air Condensers

Based on the cooling method, the common types of condensers include: 
1.Air-Cooled: These use a natural draft or fan to blow air over the cooling coils to remove heat from the refrigerant.
2.Water-Cooled: Works like a heat exchanger by removing heat from the refrigerant using circulating water. 
3.Evaporative: These are hybrid condensers that rely on airflow and water to cool the refrigerant.
ProTip Takeaway: Condenser cools the car’s air by radiating the heat that was absorbed by the refrigerant in the evaporator coils.

 

Condenser vs. Compressor: What Are the Key Differences?
 

Now that we already know what the car’s condenser and compressor are, let’s move directly to the key differences between these two features.
 

• Function:The compressor compresses refrigerant gas, increasing its temperature and pressure. This allows the gas to start flowing smoothly through the lines, driving the cooling cycle. On the other hand, the condenser takes in the pressurized refrigerant, cools, and converts it into a liquid vapor.
  ProTip Takeaway:  The compressor works before the condenser.
   
• Location of Placement: Whereas the compressor is located at the bottom and inside the main air conditioning unit. The condenser, on the other hand, is located in front of the car where it uses natural draft or induced air to cool the high-pressure refrigerant gas and condense it into a liquid.
   
• State of the Refrigerant: The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant is in gaseous form in the compressor. In the condenser, the refrigerant changes to liquid vapor.
   
• Role in the AC system: The compressor is responsible for increasing the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant to make it start flowing. The condenser on the other hand carries out the work of removing heat energy from the refrigerant and dissipating it to the outside air.
   
• Structure and Mechanical Components: The compressor comprises other components such as pistons, rotors, pulleys, and scrolls. The condenser has a series of coils, fins, and a fan and uses air or water to remove heat from the refrigerant gas.
  ProTip Takeaway:  A good air compressor oil will not only guarantee your compressor pure lubrication, but also will keep its interior seals, rubber rings, and other components from damage.

What if your Auto AC Compressor or Condenser Stops Working?
 

It is recommended you perform regular maintenance and scheduled inspections for issues such as clogged coils, leaks, overheating, and, insufficient airflow.
If your air conditioning compressor or condenser is failing, it is recommended to use Foxwell's professional diagnostic tool, such as the NT650 Elite, to pinpoint issues such as refrigerant leaks or pressure failures.

Conclusion
 

Understanding the difference between a compressor and a condenser can help you make informed decisions when you’re considering putting in a new AC compressor and condenser kit. It can also help you troubleshoot issues with them when they arise.