{"id":1942,"date":"2025-07-26T08:36:33","date_gmt":"2025-07-26T08:36:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/2025\/07\/26\/how-do-air-conditioners-work-and-what-is-the-effect-on-the-environment\/"},"modified":"2025-07-26T08:36:33","modified_gmt":"2025-07-26T08:36:33","slug":"how-do-air-conditioners-work-and-what-is-the-effect-on-the-environment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/2025\/07\/26\/how-do-air-conditioners-work-and-what-is-the-effect-on-the-environment\/","title":{"rendered":"How do air conditioners work, and what is the effect on the environment?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Heatwaves all over the world are becoming longer and more intense and the need for cooling is rising fast, putting strain not just on power bills but on electricity grids and the planet. With 2024 the hottest year on record and 2025 not far behind, air conditioning is no longer a luxury for many \u2013 it\u2019s a lifeline.<\/p>\n

Al Jazeera breaks down how air conditioners work, traces the history of cooling, and offers practical tips on protecting your AC and reducing energy costs.<\/p>\n

How does air conditioning work?<\/h2>\n

Air conditioners cool indoor spaces by moving heat from inside your home to the outside using a chemical fluid called a refrigerant. The process starts when the indoor unit draws in warm air from the room and passes it over evaporator coils filled with cold, low-pressure liquid refrigerant. As the air moves across the coils, the refrigerant absorbs the heat and evaporates into a gas, cooling the air in the process. A fan then blows the cooled air back into the room.<\/p>\n

The now-warm refrigerant travels to the outdoor unit, where a compressor increases its pressure and temperature. In the condenser coils, the refrigerant releases heat to the outside air, turning back into a liquid. The cycle then repeats.<\/p>\n

\"interactive-How
(Al Jazeera)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How long have air conditioners been around?<\/h2>\n

In 1820, British scientist Michael Faraday discovered that compressing and evaporating ammonia could chill air. It was an early breakthrough that laid the foundation for modern refrigeration and cooling systems.<\/p>\n

In the 1830s, American physician John Gorrie took a practical approach to the idea. He built a machine in Florida which created ice and used it to cool hospital rooms, aiming to treat patients suffering from tropical diseases.<\/p>\n

The modern era of air conditioning began in 1902, when Willis Carrier, an American engineer, designed a system to control humidity and temperature at a New York printing press. Though intended to remove humidity, which causes paper to expand and contract and can change ink colours, Carrier\u2019s invention is considered the first true air conditioner.<\/p>\n

By 1914, the first residential air conditioner was installed in a Minneapolis mansion. It was huge \u2013 roughly the size of an entire room \u2013 and far from affordable for the average household.<\/p>\n

In 1931, engineers HH Schultz and JQ Sherman developed the first window-mounted unit, making cooling more accessible for individual rooms. This innovation paved the way for household adoption in urban areas.<\/p>\n

\"GettyImages-515176272-1753275835\"
Dr Willis H Carrier holds a thermometer inside an igloo display that demonstrates air conditioning at the New York World\u2019s Fair. The temperature-controlled igloo remained at a steady 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) inside, on April 25, 1939 [Bettman\/Getty Images]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 1940s and 1950s saw a rapid expansion in air conditioning use. After World War II, economic growth, mass production and suburban housing booms brought AC into homes and offices. During this time, Freon (a chlorofluorocarbon, or CFC) replaced toxic refrigerants like ammonia and propane, making systems safer, more compact and easier to install.<\/p>\n

\"The
The 1963 General Electric Porta-cart air conditioner [Everett Collection\/Shutterstock]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"An
An air conditioner is mounted in the window of an office, circa 1955 [Lambert\/Getty Images]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The mini-split system was first developed in Japan in the late 1950s as a more efficient alternative to bulky window units and centralised HVAC systems. Its key innovation was a ductless design, which delivers air directly from an outdoor compressor to an indoor air handler \u2013 minimising energy loss typically caused by ductwork.<\/p>\n

\"GettyImages-81615627-1753275814\"
A sign outside a US restaurant points to the use of air conditioning \u2013 as well as \u2018White Rest Rooms\u2019, in a clear indication of racial segregation \u2013 circa 1960 [Joan Sydlow\/FPG\/Hulton Archive\/Getty Images] (Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By the 1970s and 1980s, mini-splits were being used across Asia and parts of Europe, and later expanded into North America. Their flexible installation and energy efficiency made them ideal for older buildings where retrofitting ducts was costly or impractical, as well as for homeowners seeking precise, room-by-room climate control. This is also when inverter technology, which adjusts the speed of the compressor to help save energy, was developed.<\/p>\n

In the 1990s, rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns led governments to adopt energy efficiency standards for cooling systems. In response, manufacturers introduced more efficient compressors, thermostats and system designs to reduce electricity consumption. During this period, the United States\u2019 Clean Air Act was amended to phase out ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Their replacement, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), like R-134a, gained popularity. But while HFCs don\u2019t harm the ozone layer, they are potent greenhouse gases which contribute significantly to global warming.<\/p>\n

The 2000s brought a new wave of innovation, with air conditioners beginning to integrate digital controls, motion sensors and smart thermostats. Wi-Fi connectivity allowed users to adjust temperature settings remotely, while automation made systems more adaptive and efficient.<\/p>\n

By the 2010s, concerns over global warming and the environmental effects of refrigerants triggered a transition away from hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Newer refrigerants like R-32 and R-290 (propane), already being used in parts of Asia and Europe, marked a shift towards low-emission, climate-friendly cooling.<\/p>\n

\"interactive-History
(Al Jazeera)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How to choose the right air conditioner<\/h2>\n

Choosing the best-sized air conditioner is essential for keeping your home comfortable and your energy bills under control. Since an AC is a long-term investment, having the correct size can save you both money and hassle.<\/p>\n

A unit that is too small will struggle to cool a large room effectively \u2013 or may not cool it at all. On the other hand, an oversized AC may cool the space too quickly without removing enough humidity, leaving the room uncomfortably cold and damp.<\/p>\n

Other factors to consider:<\/p>\n