An air conditioner is a system or a machine that treats air in a defined, usually enclosed area via a refrigeration cycle in which warm air is removed and replaced with cooler and more humid air. In construction, a complete system of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning I s referred to as HVAC. Window air conditioner is sometimes referred to as room air conditioner as well. It is the simplest form of an air conditioning system and is mounted on windows or walls. The evaporator side is located facing the room for cooling of the space and the condenser side outdoor for heat rejection.
Window and room air conditioners use refrigeration principles to extract heat and moisture from room air, cooling and dehumidifying the air. The basic components inside the unit include a blower and/or fans for moving cooled air into the room and exhausting warm air, and refrigerant components for extracting heat from the air. Those components include a compressor, evaporator coil, refrigerant-filled tubing, and condenser coil. Most window and room air conditioners have thermostatic controls.
Air conditioners are divided into two segments based on their application i.e. residential and commercial:
Residential or room air conditioners are further sub-divided into window air conditioners and split air conditioners. Spilt air conditioners are popular in India whereas the market for window ACs is fast disappearing.
In commercial segment, light commercial air conditioners, ducted & packaged, VRF and chillers are the various product types. Along with residential sector, commercial segment is also catching up with the increase in demand of commercial plots, offices, stores, factories and business apartments.