How Do Window AC Unit Work? Answered!

Have you been trying to find out how do window AC unit work? Are you interested to know about the processes involved? Then there is no need to panic as we are about to tell you how window ac units work. How do window AC unit work.

Just like any other air conditioning type, the window AC utilizes the properties of refrigeration to ensure that heat and humidity are removed from a room, and cool air is circulated. Once the temperature in the room begins to rise, the thermostat in the Ac is automatically triggered, and the blower turns on in no time; the room air is pulled to the unit and air moves round the cold refrigerant. 

How To Choose A Window Ac Unit

Window AC units are installed in almost every home, office, and vehicle. Window ac units are an excellent choice for people who live in areas that experience hot, humid summers.

They’re also a good choice for people with smaller bedrooms or living spaces or who don’t have room for a large central ac unit. Window AC units are one of the most popular and reliable types of air conditioners. They provide comfort, convenience, and energy efficiency in your home or office.

Below are the necessary questions to ask before purchasing a window Ac unit; if you can answer these questions properly, you’ll be able to know what model and type of window Ac you should go for

  1. Does your home have central heating and cooling?
  2. Do you want a window unit that is easy to install or one with larger dimensions?
  3. What is the capacity of the window air conditioner you are considering?
  4. How noisy is it?
  5. How much do they cost?
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How Do Window AC unit Works

The Window AC unit works in two cycles, and we will be explaining each cycle. 

The Room Cycle

It involves the use of room air, just as the name implies. When there is a temperature rise, the thermostat detects the temperature increase, which brings about two things. First, the blower sucks in the humid air from the room and into the AC

Next, the compressor automatically goes on, causing the cool refrigerant to flow through the evaporating coil.

The dragged-in air is naturally full of dust particles, so it first passes through the filter to remove all unwanted dust particles. This process is essential since your room is also made free of dust particles in the process. 

After this stage, the air passes over the cooling coil. The cooling coil allows it to absorb the heat in the filtered room air. As the room temperature drops, the air loses humidity also. This dragged-in air becomes chilled and is blown back into the room at high speed.

When the chilled air enters the room, it mixes with the hot air, which is then sucked into the air conditioner again by the blower, and the cycle continues. 

The Hot Air Cycle

The hot air cycle involves using the hot air outside to cool the condenser. The fan pulls in the hot air from the atmosphere. The hot air now passes over the condensing coil. 

It first gets into the window Ac unit while already hot, then passes over the condensing coil, making it even hotter. 

If you have ever wondered why the back of window air conditioners is usually hot, this is why.

For the hot atmospheric air that has been blown into the window AC to be cooled, the refrigerant first needs to cool down. The refrigerant, always in a gas state, passes through to the expansion valve, where the pressure and temperature drop. 

As a result, the air changes into liquid at a cooler temperature, cooling the condenser. The refrigerant then flows directly to the evaporating coil, leaving the cooled air to be released outside. 

How Do I Clean My Window AC Unit?

To clean your window AC unit, remove any debris around it and then wipe it down with a damp rag. If you have a large amount of dust on your window AC unit, you may want to consider cleaning it with a power brush attachment instead of using chemicals that could cause damage to it.

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How to Know If My Window Ac unit Is Working?

It works properly if you can hear the air moving through your vents. If you don’t hear any sound, check to ensure there aren’t any obstructions in or around your unit itself. 

If there are no obstructions, feel around for any loose wires or anything else that could be blocking the airflow from reaching your vents.

Components Of A Window Ac unit

The window Ac unit fan does not work without the below-listed components:

Compressor

It is also known as the heart of an ac unit. It is responsible for moving the refrigerant between the evaporator coil and the condenser coil.

Condenser Coils

Its job is to bring down the temperature of the hot air that the fan has sucked in from the room.

Fan And Blower

The fan sucks in hot air from the room and takes it outside; the blower circulates the hot air over the evaporator to cool it before bringing in chilled air to your room. 

Evaporator Coil 

 It uses a substance to remove humidity and heat sucked in from your room by the fan.

Filter

The hot air that the air conditioner sucks in from your room contains dust and particles. So the filter has to remove these don’t particles.

Expansion Valve

It is located between the evaporator coils and the condenser coils. Its job is to bring down the air temperature.

Are There Advantages To Using A Window Ac Unit?

Here are some advantages you get to enjoy while using the window ac unit

Efficient

Window AC units use less electricity than other AC units because they don’t need to run a whole house simultaneously. They also use less energy during hours when you’re not home, so your utility bills are lower every month.

Durable

Since window AC units are installed directly on your window frame, they can be repaired if something goes wrong with them. This makes them safer than other brands that require an entire replacement unit to fix the problem.”

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Low Cost

Window ac units are often less expensive than other air conditioning systems. If you have an older home, you may find that a window AC unit is more cost-effective than some air conditioning systems.

Portability

This is one of the major advantages of window AC units. They can be moved around easily without any special tools or equipment. You can even uninstall them when you move into another room in your house.

Are There Disadvantages To Using A Window Ac unit

We all know that to every advantage, there is a disadvantage, and we are bringing you some disadvantages. 

Installation

Window AC units are often installed in the wall, which requires that you move your window and wall-mount the unit. This can be difficult if you do not have a standard window frame to work with.

Additionally, if you want to install an Ac unit at a later date, it is difficult to change the position of the unit without having to remove it from its mountings.

Noisy Motor

Another disadvantage of window ac units is that their motors are noisy and create a humming sound when they start working or when it’s turned off. 

Safety Tip To Install A Window Air Conditioner

Make sure that the unit is placed at least 10 feet away from any combustible materials like curtains, furniture, and fabric. Also, make sure that the unit is not too close to the ceiling, as this will cause undue strain on the unit and may lead to premature failure.

Is It Possible To Purchase A Window Air Conditioner With A Remote Control?

Yes, you can buy a window AC unit with remote control. Many products have come up with this feature nowadays, which makes it convenient for you to operate your air conditioner from anywhere in the room.

Other factors To Know About Window Ac Units

Window ac units can get very hot during operation and can burn pets if they come in contact with them. If you have children who use your window AC unit, you should let them know about the hazards involved if they come in contact with the window AC unit.

Do not leave toys, books, or other items on top of your window AC unit to avoid any form of accident, especially when those come in contact with the sensitive part of the window AC unit.

Conclusion On How Do Window AC Unit Work

Hopefully, this article has provided all the information you need to decide on whether or not a window air conditioner is the right choice for you. With proper maintenance and safety precautions, you can have a functional unit in your home in no time. Before you buy window AC units, make sure that you check how big your room is and how cold it will produce to enjoy your window Ac unit maximumly.