The answer to 'how does AC work' is that an air conditioning (AC) system uses refrigerant to remove heat and humidity from the air inside your home and transfer it outside. This process involves several key components working together: a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator coil.
The compressor circulates the refrigerant through the system, converting it from a liquid to a gas. As the refrigerant passes through the condenser coil outside, it releases the heat from your home to the outside air. The refrigerant then flows through an expansion valve, which reduces the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant. Finally, the cold refrigerant circulates through the evaporator coil inside your home, absorbing heat and humidity from the indoor air. A fan blows this cooler, drier air back into your living spaces.