The term "window air conditioners with coils" can be a bit confusing because all air conditioners, including window air conditioners, have coils. Coils are a critical component of the cooling process in an air conditioner. However, it's possible that you may be referring to the difference between window air conditioners with standard coils (air-cooled) and those with additional coils for heating (heat pump or reverse cycle air conditioners).
Let's clarify the differences:
Window Air Conditioners (Standard Air-Cooled): Window air conditioners are designed primarily for cooling purposes. They have two sets of coils: the evaporator coil and the condenser coil.
Evaporator Coil: This coil is located inside the indoor unit of the air conditioner. It is responsible for absorbing heat from the indoor air and evaporating the refrigerant, thus cooling the air that is blown back into the room.
Condenser Coil: The condenser coil is located in the outdoor unit of the window air conditioner. It releases the heat collected from the indoor air into the outside environment. This is where the refrigerant is condensed back into a liquid state after absorbing heat.
Window Air Conditioners with Heat Pump (Heat Pump or Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners): Some window air conditioners come with a heat pump feature, also known as reverse cycle air conditioners. These units have additional components that allow them to provide both cooling and heating functions.
- Heat Pump Feature: A heat pump utilizes a reversing valve to change the flow direction of the refrigerant. During the cooling mode, it works just like a standard air conditioner with the indoor evaporator coil absorbing heat from inside and the outdoor condenser coil releasing heat outside. However, during the heating mode, the heat pump reverses the process, extracting heat from the outside air (even in colder temperatures) and releasing it inside to warm the room.
So, the main difference lies in whether the window air conditioner is a standard air-cooled model or a heat pump model. Standard air-cooled models are designed for cooling only, while heat pump models offer both cooling and heating functionalities, making them more versatile for year-round comfort.