The answer to 'how does central air work' is that a central air conditioning system uses a compressor, condenser, and evaporator coils to circulate refrigerant and remove heat from the home. The compressor pumps refrigerant through the system, removing heat from the indoor air and transferring it outside. As the refrigerant passes through the evaporator coil inside the home, it absorbs heat from the air, cooling it down. The now-warm refrigerant then goes to the outdoor condenser unit, where a fan blows air over the coil to release the heat outside. This cycle repeats, continuously cooling the air in the home.
Central air systems also use a network of ducts to distribute the cooled air throughout the house. A thermostat monitors the temperature and signals the system to turn on when cooling is needed. With proper maintenance, a central air system can provide efficient, whole-home cooling for many years.