The summer months can bring some severe heat inside your home. You’ve probably seen air conditioners mounted on a window. But have you always known what they are or how they work? Window air conditioners cool the room by expelling warm air and moisture.
They are cost-effective compared to other air conditioners, such as a central air conditioning system, making them popular in many households. If you’d like to know exactly how they work and the benefits of installing one in your home, stick around. In this article, you will learn how window air conditioners function so you can keep your house cool in the blazing summer season.
In the 19th century, many discoveries were made that built the science behind air conditioning. One notable mention is an invention by a physician known as Dr. John Gorrie. Dr. Gorrie created an ice-making machine in 1840 to help patients who had high fevers due to malaria.
At the time, such inventions were shunned. The idea of creating a machine that could ‘change’ the temperature was viewed as sinful. People believed that doing such things was like tampering with Mother Nature and somewhat blasphemous.
Fast forward to 1902, when Willis Haviland Carrier, the father of modern air conditioning, invented the first air conditioner. He created an air conditioner for a printing company known as Sackett-Wilhelms Lithographing and Publishing Company in Brooklyn. As a result of high temperatures in the printing plant, the printing paper would always get wrinkled, and ink would be misaligned, requiring an air conditioning system.
Due to the bulky nature of air conditioners at the time, it was some time before people adopted them. The fact that they also cost an arm and a leg didn’t make it any better. In the early 1930s, smaller air conditioning units that were more home-oriented started showing up.
Later on, Engineer Henry Galson invented an even smaller window air conditioning unit that was more economical and compact.
In 1932, H.H. Schultz and J.Q. Sherman created an air conditioner that people could place on their window ledge. This innovation was the world’s first window air conditioner. However, this air conditioning unit was still pricey, resulting in fewer sales than expected.
Fortunately, these newer models sold in larger quantities as more households could now afford them.
Central air conditioning units made their first debut in the 1970s. However, it was discovered that they were environmentally hazardous due to an ozone-depleting substance known as freon which was used as a refrigerant in the AC units. Since the discovery, AC manufacturing companies have tried to incorporate more environmentally friendly refrigerants.
AC units are now very popular in America. By 2009, it was estimated that about 87% of American households have them installed in their homes.
The window air conditioner is one of the most straightforward AC systems. If you are looking for a cost-effective way to cool your house, then window air conditioners are your best bet! These are also relatively easy to install, meaning you won’t break your back with them.
Window ACs work by extracting all the heat and humidity in the air and expelling them from the room, creating a cooling effect. Typically, the air’s heat and moisture are removed from the room by being redirected outside, explaining why window air conditioners are usually mounted on the windowsill.
To better understand how these units work, we’ll highlight a window AC’s main parts and what role each piece performs. Essentially, every window air conditioner has a compressor, a condenser coil, an evaporator coil, a thermostat, a fan, a blower, and a filter.
The thermostat detects the room temperature while the filter removes any particles in the air that could clog the air conditioner. The fan and blower work in unison to suck in the warm air and push out cool air into the room.
The condenser coil brings down the temperature of the warm air that has flown into the AC. On the other hand, the evaporator coil, also known as the cooling coil, removes the warm air’s heat and humidity. The compressor circulates the refrigerant, while the refrigerant could be said to be the glue that holds everything together. Without its discovery, we’d still be experiencing extreme discomfort during summertime. The compressor pushes the refrigerant, causing it to shift between liquid and gas to give the desired effect in the cooling process.
Now that we know what function each part performs, we’ll combine all the functions to have a holistic view of how exactly window air conditioners operate. Window ACs function by way of two cycles: the room cycle and the hot air cycle. The room cycle explains how the window air conditioner cools the room while the hot air cycle describes how it cools itself.
The room cycle involves the use of room air, just as the name suggests. When temperatures rise, the thermostat detects the temperature increase, which then triggers two things. First, the blower sucks in the warm and humid air from the room and into the AC. Secondly, the compressor automatically goes on, causing the cool refrigerant to flow through the cooling or evaporating coil.
The pulled-in air is ordinarily full of particles, so it first passes through the filter to remove all unwanted particles. This process is crucial since your room is also made free of dust in the process. After this, the air passes over the cooling coil.
The cooling coil is generally at a temperature lower than the room air, thanks to the cool refrigerant flowing through it. Therefore, this makes it possible for it to absorb the heat in the filtered room air. As the temperature of the room drops, the air loses its humidity as well. This sucked-in air now becomes chilled and less humid and is blown back into the room at a high velocity.
When the chilled air enters the room, it mixes with the hot, humid air, which is then sucked into the air conditioner by the blower once again, and the cycle continues. As a result, you end up with a chilled, comfortable room atmosphere.
On the other hand, the hot air cycle involves using the air outside to cool the condenser. The condenser is a part of the window AC situated on the unit section that lies outside. For this reason, it is exposed to the hot atmospheric air and needs to be cooled.
The fan, in this case, pulls in the hot air from the atmosphere. This hot air then passes over the condensing coil. The refrigerant that passes through the condensing coil is usually at a high temperature. It first gets into the AC while already hot, and then it passes over the condensing coil, making it even hotter. This accumulation of heat is the reason why the whole process is known as the hot air cycle. If you have ever wondered why the back of window air conditioners is usually scorching, now you know why!
For the hot atmospheric air that has been blown into the AC to be cooled, the refrigerant first needs to cool down. The refrigerant, which is in a gas state at this point, passes through to the expansion valve where its pressure and temperature drop. As a result, the air changes it into a liquid at a cooler temperature, cooling the condenser. The refrigerant then flows to the evaporating coil, leaving the cooled atmospheric air to be released outside. Consequently, new hot atmospheric air enters the air conditioner, and the cycle continues.
Because window air conditioners can only be fixated on a window sill or ledge, investing in a great window is something that you should not overlook. It would be pointless to buy your new window air conditioner, only for it to fall and break due to a lack of sturdy windows.
Most window air conditioners can fit in double-hung windows. Double-hung windows usually have two operating sashes that move up and down. If you have either sliding or casement windows, you may have to be a little more careful when buying a window AC since some are not compatible with such varieties.
When it comes to sturdy and timeless windows, look no further than Milgard windows. At US Window & Door, we strive to deliver only the best services, and we are delighted to be Milgard’s premier certified dealer for vinyl windows in San Diego. Our services also extend to Southern Orange County.
Milgard Windows & Doors have a wide range of variety to suit all kinds of tastes and preferences. If you had previously installed windows that don’t support your air conditioner, Milgard Windows & Doors offers great replacement window options. Their services are also readily available when constructing your new home, and need windows that will beautifully complement your new house.
Confused about the window jargon and wondering whether to go for vinyl, aluminum, or fiberglass? Worry not for Milgard Windows & Doors offers consulting services to help you realize which window types suit you best.
Milgard also provides a lifetime warranty, meaning your investment is more than safe! Check out the great online reviews from homeowners in San Diego and Southern Orange County on the quality and durability of Milgard products. With Milgard, you are sure to receive nothing short of excellent standards.
Now that you know how a window air conditioner works and the importance of having a sturdy window for them, what are the benefits of these cooling units?
♦ Window air conditioners are economical and easy to install
As mentioned earlier, window air conditioners are more affordable compared to other AC systems. They vary in price depending on the features and brand. However, with as little as $100, you can find one that performs its job, while giving you the noticeable results.
These units are also relatively easy to install, as you won’t necessarily require a technician to do it for you. Most of them come with manuals that are easy to comprehend.
♦ They consume less energy
Window air conditioners are highly energy-efficient – they consume little energy, helping you save those extra coins. A tip when shopping for one is to look for one that is Energy Star certified.
♦ They are portable
Window air conditioners are portable in the sense that if you decide to move to a new home, you can easily unhook it and bring it with you. Some AC systems, such as the central air conditioning units, are permanent and cannot be moved from house to house.
♦ They are multi-purpose
A good number of window air conditioners provide both heating and cooling functions. This means that they’re useful all year round to keep your home comfortable.
♦ They don’t occupy floor space
Due to the nature of their design, window air conditioners need to be by the window, hence saving your floor space.
Window air conditioners became popular after their discovery in the 1930s and remained a household favorite. They are cost-effective, energy-efficient, multi-purpose, and installation is fairly straightforward.
They also come in a wide range of sizes, depending on the features they have. There are still new models of window air conditioners coming up today with tweaks that make them even better. Most of these tweaks revolve around energy efficiency.
A key thing to note is that these cooling units require a good foundation. A window AC can only function at its best with a sturdy, reliable window. Milgard Windows & Doors is a renowned brand in the US that offers high quality, durable, robust, and versatile windows. If you are in San Diego or Southern Orange County, visit us at US Window & Door and we can provide solutions to help you enjoy cooler summers and beautiful views!
When all is said and done, it’s pretty clear that window air conditioners will be around for a long time, so why not get one yourself?
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