Is it possible to turn on the air conditioning in the apartment with the window open?

Not everyone knows whether it is permissible to turn on the air conditioner with the window open. On the one hand, in the summer stuffiness you often want to open the window for additional ventilation. On the other hand, most manufacturers are threatened with various punishments for the operation of their products in this mode (recall of warranty, etc.). Let's make it clear: it is impossible to open the windows, transoms and window frames when the air conditioner is working in the room! And now we will tell you why.

How does an air conditioner work?

To explain why the air conditioner cannot be operated normally with an open window, it is necessary to touch on the principle of operation of this device in at least a few words. Most air conditioners consist of two units, one of which is in the apartment, and the other outside. In each of the blocks, heat is exchanged between air and freon, but the meaning of this exchange is different:

• In the block located inside the room, cold freon cools the air, and he heats up at the same time.
• In the outdoor unit, hot freon gives off heat to the air in the street, and it cools itself.

The circulation of freon between the blocks provides a compressor. As a rule, it works periodically, including as needed. When the air in the room is cooled to the temperature specified in the operation settings, the compressor turns off to save electricity.

Thus, most domestic air conditioners do not provide airflow from the street. They only organize a constant circulation of air in the room through the cooling chamber, simultaneously filtering it through the mechanical cleaning unit. Recirculation air conditioners do not affect the oxygen content in the air in any way. Because of this, a feeling of stuffiness may arise.

In addition to recirculation plants, there are supply and recovery systems. They can provide air from outside, "airing" the room. But most of these models belong to the industrial class and are rarely mounted in residential buildings.

Features of operation with open windows

The principle of operation of the air conditioning unit is identical to that used in the refrigerator. This means that an open window or window creates exactly the same effect as an open refrigerator door. This mode of operation is fraught with several consequences:

• Since there is a constant influx of hot air into the room, the relay forces the compressor to operate continuously. This dramatically increases energy consumption and will affect the amounts in the electricity bill in the most unpleasant way.
• The compressor motor heats up during operation. This heat is removed during downtime, due to which the air conditioner is able to work for many years without breakdowns. But when operating in continuous mode, the motor does not have time to cool. Overheating leads to a quick compressor failure.

In addition to the listed dangers common to the air conditioner and refrigerator, there is one more that is specific to this device. Air passing through the air conditioner is passed through a filter system. At the same time, with constant circulation of the same air masses, the load on the filter unit is minimal, because all the dust is extracted already in the first 1-2 runs. But the constant flow of air from the street provides a constant flow of dust. So the filter will clog much faster.

Even if you use the air conditioner in normal mode, the filters will gradually clog.In order for the air conditioner to last for a long time, it is necessary to regularly clean it. To find out how each specific model is serviced, an instruction manual will help.

A few words about health effects

In addition to the reasons associated with the risk of breakdown of the air conditioner, its operation with open windows threatens colds. According to the laws of physics, the cooled air goes down, so a convection cycle occurs in the room. Hot air coming from the street goes at the level of the heads, and cold air circulates at the floor, cooling the legs. That is why in the summer, many catch a cold sitting in an air-conditioned room.

How to deal with stuffiness?

To be in the room was pleasant, it must be regularly ventilated. Here's what experts recommend for rooms in which air conditioning is installed:

• Ventilate according to a certain schedule.
• Open the window for ventilation for 5 minutes every 1-2 hours.
• Turn off the air conditioning system during ventilation. Restarting is allowed only with a tightly closed window.

Following these recommendations, it is easy to maintain a comfortable environment in the room. At the same time, the air conditioning system will not experience exorbitant loads, and its users will not risk catching a cold or getting a huge electricity bill.